Hi, I’m Sidhika, the founder of HiHandmade.com, a sustainable fashion brand where we create clothing that’s kind to both people and the planet.
My Story: the beginning
My journey to sustainable fashion began in a small town in Jaipur, a place steeped in culture, HERITAGE, and traditional crafts. My mother, a talented dressmaker, instilled in me a love for textiles and ever since a child, a felt the transformative power of clothing.
Me and mum
My Escape Route: which led me to my destination
I was good in studies and back then it was a norm in India for batch toppers to become doctors or engineers. I didn’t know what I want to do, so I went for Fashion not as choice but as an escape from machine coding and syringes. In 4 years, I secured scholarship and graduated from one of most prestigious fashion institutes globally.
Years later, after I moved to Australia, I established a successful career in fashion. I reconnected with my roots, while settling in Australia, having the space to make sense of my life. I felt how much the world around me has changed. How easy it is to accumulate stuff, while how difficult it is to stay close to nature.
My aha moment! Fashion 2.0
During Covid, I came across an Indian artisan struggling to keep his traditional craft alive in the face of lockdown and uncertainty. This encounter ignited a spark within me, and I knew I had to do something.
I made a donation, and also bought his products - it was a saree!
My donation receipt. I shared it on my socials on 7th May 2020
Then on a hot sunny day, for lack of a breathable option, I wore the cotton saree to the beach. The fabric felt like my mothers hand on me! Specially during COVID borders closure because I was unable to feel her touch for 2 years
That day, fashion gave me PURPOSE!
The cotton saree, I wore on Sydney Beach
Birth of hiHandmade
HiHandmade was born out of my desire to create breathable, sustainable clothing that empowers artisans and celebrates eco-friendly fabrics and techniques. The designs blend my childhood memories of craftsmanship with free-spirited Australian lifestyle to create cotton dresses, tops and bags to name a few.
The pillars we stand on:
- Natural product: We proudly use 100% Indian cotton, a material that is not only renowned for its breathability and durability but also plays a major role in sustaining livelihood of over 40 million people.
- Artisanal craftsmanship: This ancient craft has been passed down through generations. We shun the impersonal grip of large factories and work with the artisans directly to flourish their skill and tradition.
- Timeless style: In a world that often prizes speed and mass production, our products stand as a testament to the art of slow living. Our styles transcend seasons and trends, becoming beloved companions for years to come.
- Sustainable practices: Our purpose is to provide a sustainable alternative. We champion eco-friendly techniques that use human power, consume less water, energy and leave a low carbon footprint.
Impact So Far
- So far, we have given economic opportunities worth AUD 50,000 to cotton farmers and block printing artisans.
- Made 2500+ pieces of cotton clothing.
- On the other side of the globe, we have impacted over 500 Australian women, mostly aged 50 and above. This segment is often ignored. 60%–80% of 50 plus women experience menopausal night sweats and hot flushes, affecting their health and quality of life. They often struggle to find functional, breathable clothing and hiHandmade provides a solution
Our latest sustainable fashion collection use up-cycled textiles to give new life to discarded materials, transforming them into one-of-a-kind piece that is as unique as the people who wear them. Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond just materials. We also work closely with our artisans, ensuring they are paid fair wages and work in safe conditions.
Whats Next
I need your support and AUD 10,000 to take hiHandmade to the next level and make our clothing compostable.
Our raw material such as fabric, trims, cotton labels, wooden buttons, azo-free dyes are natural and compostable. However, testing and certifications are required to ensure that the final piece of clothing is compostable.
The cost for this process would be high and heres the breakdown of expected expenses:
- AUD 3000 for greige textile testing to layout the stages of composting
- AUD 1500 for dyes and colours testing
- AUD 4000 to carry out the process of making compost from clothing by a third party
- AUD 1500 for certifications
You can help me with your donation.
hiHandmade is more than just a clothing brand; it’s a movement. We’re on a mission to empower people to make conscious choices about the clothes they wear. We believe that fashion can be a force for good, and we’re committed to using our platform to promote sustainable practices and ethical production.
Say hi to handmade with hiHandmade – Sustainability with Style
Why me?
Find me on LinkedIn: After 20 years in fashion buying and planning, I'm passionate about creating positive change. My crowdfunding campaign for hiHandmade aims to revolutionise fashion with compostable clothing. Your contribution will help build a sustainable brand with the expertise to make a real impact. Let's redefine fashion – together.
hiHandmade Website: Checkout complete, feel-good vibes! Every purchase supports our commitment to sustainable style. Explore our collections and celebrate fashion that's good for you and the Earth.
Follow us on Instagram:Follow us on social media! Watch our journey unfold, discover our best-selling products, and meet amazing customers loving what they wear. Plus, see their rave reviews for yourself! #ourjourney #happycustomers
If you have any questions, or would like to chat about my journey, then please email me at sidhka@hihandmade.com
Our artisanal process
Thank you for all your love & support
Perks
Donate to our eco-fashion revolution and receive a beautiful, handcrafted lucky bracelet made with natural stones as a token of our gratitude. It's a stylish way to attract good fortune while supporting a sustainable future! ✨
Delivery: The shipping is included in the price
✨ All or Nothing Campaign! We only collect funds if we reach our goal to create sustainable clothing. Your card won't be charged if we don't. Products are ready and available in Sydney, they will be dispatched on succesful campaign completion.
For every $40 pledged, you'll receive a beautiful, handcrafted journal – the perfect companion for capturing your thoughts, dreams, and adventures. Each journal is a unique work of art, lovingly handmade by up-cycling textile waste to make the hard cover. The journal has 100, white pages.
Delivery: Product is available and will be dispatched upon successful campaign completion!
- Secure zip closure for easy access
- Tailored to fit 13"-15" laptops & MacBooks
- 100% premium Indian cotton
- Quilted construction for added structure & protection
Delivery: The shipping is included in the price
✨ All or Nothing Campaign! We only collect funds if we reach our goal to create sustainable clothing. Your card won't be charged if we don't. Products are ready and available in Sydney, they will be dispatched on succesful campaign completion.
- Different patchwork designs on both sides
- Unique - no two pieces are identical!
Snag a conversation starter! Donate $80 and receive a unique, hand-printed cotton, gender-neutral shirt. Rep sustainable style you can feel good about. ♻️
- Our Blue cotton shirt combines breathable comfort and vivid style.
- Crafted from 100% soft cotton in a gender-neutral design
- Lightweight and airy feel, perfect for warm weather
- Sustainable wooden buttons, plastic-free
- Beautiful hand block printed pattern in blue
✨ All or Nothing Campaign! We only collect funds if we reach our goal to create sustainable clothing. Your card won't be charged if we don't. Products are ready and available in Sydney, they will be dispatched on succesful campaign completion.
Please support 🙏
- Premium Indian cotton makes it ideal for warm weather.
- Lounge in comfort or use it as a stylish swim cover-up.
- Comes with a matching belt to define your waist for a more tailored look.
- One size
Delivery: The shipping is included in the price
✨ All or Nothing Campaign! We only collect funds if we reach our goal to create sustainable clothing. Your card won't be charged if we don't. Products are ready and available in Sydney, they will be dispatched on succesful campaign completion.
For your generous donation of $150, you'll receive limited edition Upcycled Bag & Website + Social Media Shoutout Not only is it stylish and unique, but it's also kind to the planet! We take discards and transform them into conversation-starting pieces you'll love. We'll celebrate your support! Your name (or business name, if applicable) will be featured on our website's and get a shoutout on our social media channels. With your help, we can turn trash into treasure and make a positive impact together.
✨ All or Nothing Campaign! We only collect funds if we reach our goal to create sustainable clothing. Your card won't be charged if we don't. Products are ready and available in Sydney, they will be dispatched on succesful campaign completion.
Please support 🙏
- Patchwork design made from leftover fabric reduces waste.
- 100% premium Indian cotton for ultimate breathability.
- Every patchwork pattern is unique, ensuring you have a truly individual piece.
- The quilted design adds a touch of texture and keeps you cozy.
Level up your sustainability game with our exclusive reward: The Upcycled Cotton Trench! Crafted from a beautiful patchwork of rescued textile scraps, this one-of-a-kind trench coat minimizes waste and maximizes style. You'll be walking the line of conscious fashion with a statement piece that turns heads for all the right reasons.
- The cotton Trench is one size, made with recycled materials.
- This coat minimizes textile waste and promotes eco-conscious fashion. Every jacket boasts a unique patchwork and embroidery design, ensuring you own a piece unlike any other.
Delivery: The shipping is included in the price
✨ All or Nothing Campaign! We only collect funds if we reach our goal to create sustainable clothing. Your card won't be charged if we don't. Products are ready and available in Sydney, they will be dispatched on succesful campaign completion.
Please support 🙏
Design Your Dream hiHandmade Style (Limited Quantity)
Co-Create a Dream hiHandmade Piece: Work directly with our design team to craft a unique style, from concept to completion. This is your chance to share your vision and influence a future hiHandmade creation!
Your Name Etched in History: The name you provide will be forever immortalised! We'll prominently feature your name as the inspiration behind this one-of-a-kind style.
The First to Own It: You'll be the very first person to own the finished hiHandmade piece you helped design! This is a truly exclusive opportunity.
This contribution will include all rewards under $1000 too.
This is a limited-quantity reward! Only a select few patrons will have the chance to become a hiHandmade design insider. Don't miss your chance to be a part of our creative process and forever shape the hiHandmade brand.
✨ All or Nothing Campaign! We only collect funds if we reach our goal to create sustainable clothing. Your card won't be charged if we don't .
Please support 🙏
Love the idea, but do not require a product? Your generous donation will still be celebrated! We thank you and will give you a special shoutout across all our digital platforms for supporting sustainable, handmade fashion.
✨ All or Nothing Campaign! We only collect funds if we reach our goal to create sustainable clothing. Your card won't be charged if we don't .
Please support 🙏
Drift into effortless elegance with our best-selling, handcrafted cotton maxi dress . Artisans hand-block print the stunning design, making each piece a unique work of art. It's sustainable style that never goes out of fashion!
Delivery: The shipping is included in the price
✨ All or Nothing Campaign! We only collect funds if we reach our goal to create sustainable clothing. Your card won't be charged if we don't. Products are ready and available in Sydney, they will be dispatched on succesful campaign completion.
Highlights
See all activity14Activity
Donate to our eco-fashion revolution and receive a beautiful, handcrafted lucky bracelet made with natural stones as a token of our gratitude. It's a stylish way to attract good fortune while supporting a sustainable future! ✨
Delivery: The shipping is included in the price
✨ All or Nothing Campaign! We only collect funds if we reach our goal to create sustainable clothing. Your card won't be charged if we don't. Products are ready and available in Sydney, they will be dispatched on succesful campaign completion.
For every $40 pledged, you'll receive a beautiful, handcrafted journal – the perfect companion for capturing your thoughts, dreams, and adventures. Each journal is a unique work of art, lovingly handmade by up-cycling textile waste to make the hard cover. The journal has 100, white pages.
Delivery: Product is available and will be dispatched upon successful campaign completion!
- Secure zip closure for easy access
- Tailored to fit 13"-15" laptops & MacBooks
- 100% premium Indian cotton
- Quilted construction for added structure & protection
Delivery: The shipping is included in the price
✨ All or Nothing Campaign! We only collect funds if we reach our goal to create sustainable clothing. Your card won't be charged if we don't. Products are ready and available in Sydney, they will be dispatched on succesful campaign completion.
- Different patchwork designs on both sides
- Unique - no two pieces are identical!
Snag a conversation starter! Donate $80 and receive a unique, hand-printed cotton, gender-neutral shirt. Rep sustainable style you can feel good about. ♻️
- Our Blue cotton shirt combines breathable comfort and vivid style.
- Crafted from 100% soft cotton in a gender-neutral design
- Lightweight and airy feel, perfect for warm weather
- Sustainable wooden buttons, plastic-free
- Beautiful hand block printed pattern in blue
✨ All or Nothing Campaign! We only collect funds if we reach our goal to create sustainable clothing. Your card won't be charged if we don't. Products are ready and available in Sydney, they will be dispatched on succesful campaign completion.
Please support 🙏
- Premium Indian cotton makes it ideal for warm weather.
- Lounge in comfort or use it as a stylish swim cover-up.
- Comes with a matching belt to define your waist for a more tailored look.
- One size
Delivery: The shipping is included in the price
✨ All or Nothing Campaign! We only collect funds if we reach our goal to create sustainable clothing. Your card won't be charged if we don't. Products are ready and available in Sydney, they will be dispatched on succesful campaign completion.
For your generous donation of $150, you'll receive limited edition Upcycled Bag & Website + Social Media Shoutout Not only is it stylish and unique, but it's also kind to the planet! We take discards and transform them into conversation-starting pieces you'll love. We'll celebrate your support! Your name (or business name, if applicable) will be featured on our website's and get a shoutout on our social media channels. With your help, we can turn trash into treasure and make a positive impact together.
✨ All or Nothing Campaign! We only collect funds if we reach our goal to create sustainable clothing. Your card won't be charged if we don't. Products are ready and available in Sydney, they will be dispatched on succesful campaign completion.
Please support 🙏
- Patchwork design made from leftover fabric reduces waste.
- 100% premium Indian cotton for ultimate breathability.
- Every patchwork pattern is unique, ensuring you have a truly individual piece.
- The quilted design adds a touch of texture and keeps you cozy.
Level up your sustainability game with our exclusive reward: The Upcycled Cotton Trench! Crafted from a beautiful patchwork of rescued textile scraps, this one-of-a-kind trench coat minimizes waste and maximizes style. You'll be walking the line of conscious fashion with a statement piece that turns heads for all the right reasons.
- The cotton Trench is one size, made with recycled materials.
- This coat minimizes textile waste and promotes eco-conscious fashion. Every jacket boasts a unique patchwork and embroidery design, ensuring you own a piece unlike any other.
Delivery: The shipping is included in the price
✨ All or Nothing Campaign! We only collect funds if we reach our goal to create sustainable clothing. Your card won't be charged if we don't. Products are ready and available in Sydney, they will be dispatched on succesful campaign completion.
Please support 🙏
Design Your Dream hiHandmade Style (Limited Quantity)
Co-Create a Dream hiHandmade Piece: Work directly with our design team to craft a unique style, from concept to completion. This is your chance to share your vision and influence a future hiHandmade creation!
Your Name Etched in History: The name you provide will be forever immortalised! We'll prominently feature your name as the inspiration behind this one-of-a-kind style.
The First to Own It: You'll be the very first person to own the finished hiHandmade piece you helped design! This is a truly exclusive opportunity.
This contribution will include all rewards under $1000 too.
This is a limited-quantity reward! Only a select few patrons will have the chance to become a hiHandmade design insider. Don't miss your chance to be a part of our creative process and forever shape the hiHandmade brand.
✨ All or Nothing Campaign! We only collect funds if we reach our goal to create sustainable clothing. Your card won't be charged if we don't .
Please support 🙏
Love the idea, but do not require a product? Your generous donation will still be celebrated! We thank you and will give you a special shoutout across all our digital platforms for supporting sustainable, handmade fashion.
✨ All or Nothing Campaign! We only collect funds if we reach our goal to create sustainable clothing. Your card won't be charged if we don't .
Please support 🙏
Drift into effortless elegance with our best-selling, handcrafted cotton maxi dress . Artisans hand-block print the stunning design, making each piece a unique work of art. It's sustainable style that never goes out of fashion!
Delivery: The shipping is included in the price
✨ All or Nothing Campaign! We only collect funds if we reach our goal to create sustainable clothing. Your card won't be charged if we don't. Products are ready and available in Sydney, they will be dispatched on succesful campaign completion.
