Bianca Kuttickattu’s artistic spirit is woven into the very fabric of her life. Raised by creatively inclined parents – a dancer mother and an actor-director stepfather – the founder of Namai was immersed in a world of art from a young age. Her childhood, filled with vibrant Easter egg painting sessions and autumn nights spent crafting tissue paper lanterns, instilled in her a deep appreciation for creativity and its ability to transform everyday moments into magical experiences. “Everyday life had this innate sense of magic and creativity,” she reflects.
This innate artistic sensibility led her to explore fashion early on. As a teenager, she would scour vintage shops, recreating the latest trends and learning to sew on her mother’s hand-operated machine. She even crafted her own clothes and pieced together a quilt from old jackets, unknowingly planting the seeds of her passion for upcycling.
Her passion for fashion led her to pursue a formal education at the London College of Fashion and Middlesex University. After completing her master’s degree at the Institut Français de la Mode in Paris, she landed coveted roles at prestigious fashion houses like Jean Paul Gaultier, Karl Lagerfeld, and Repetto, gaining invaluable experience working alongside legendary designers.
Her time at these fashion houses further cemented her commitment to craftsmanship and sustainability. During her internship at Maison Martin Margiela’s Paris atelier, she witnessed Margiela’s final season with the house, where upcycling took center stage. Couture pieces were crafted from salvaged materials, showcasing the transformative power of creative ingenuity. She recalls the house’s dedication to sourcing unique materials, a practice that deeply influenced her approach to design.
Kuttickattu’s journey towards sustainability took on a new meaning during an internship with Moda Fusion, an NGO based in Rio de Janeiro. She collaborated with women in favelas at a sewing cooperative, designing a collection while teaching them pattern-cutting and design techniques. The experience, marked by the use of eco-conscious materials and a vibrant fashion show featuring local models and musicians, proved to be a turning point in her career.
After her time at Margiela, Kuttickattu joined Celine’s London office in 2009 as a junior footwear designer under Phoebe Philo. Working closely with Philo, who was known for her innovative approach to design, Kuttickattu honed her skills in shoemaking, from leather sourcing to heel construction. She learned to deconstruct and digitally reform vintage shoes, pushing the boundaries of material technicality and sculptural creativity.
In 2010, she moved to Stockholm to join Acne, where she expanded her design portfolio to include accessories like bags, wallets, and sunglasses. The brand’s emphasis on craftsmanship and its commitment to creating timeless designs further reinforced her respect for the artistry behind upcycling.
Her move to New York in 2012 opened up a world of vintage treasures. It was here that she discovered kantha quilts – vibrant, graphic, and steeped in history. The quilts sparked a deep connection to her Indian heritage, a part of her identity she had been yearning to reclaim. Inspired by a vintage Indian quilted jacket she owned, she envisioned creating jackets from these intricate textiles.
Namai, a sustainable fashion brand dedicated to creating one-of-a-kind pieces from pre-loved materials, was born in 2020. Launched during the pandemic, the brand drew inspiration from the artistic community in upstate New York, where individuals were pursuing their creative passions.
Kuttickattu saw Namai as a platform to celebrate craftsmanship, empower artisans, and champion sustainable practices. The brand’s unique approach to design, rooted in upcycling and a deep appreciation for heritage, resonated with a community that valued authenticity and individual expression. Namai’s jackets, meticulously crafted from kantha quilts and other vintage materials, became a symbol of this shared ethos.
Namai continues to evolve, crafting seasonless collections that embody the brand’s commitment to sustainability, artistry, and storytelling. By transforming pre-loved materials into stunning garments, Namai not only promotes mindful consumption but also celebrates the beauty and stories embedded within each piece. The brand is available globally through a seasonless drop model, inviting customers to discover their own unique expressions of style and embrace the beauty of a sustainable future.
