The rise in the number of several slow-fashion labels over the past couple of years has meant that a change is taking place for the better. Pazy by designer Koushik Saha is one such endeavour. Adding to the burgeoning slow-fashion movement, the online fashion brand (@pazys_world_official on Instagram) that started just four months back, is dedicated to premium kidswear. And while it is aimed at helping the parents make conscious choice for their kids, at its core it strives to inculcate a crucial message from an early age. For Koushik, a fashion graduate, the plan for a solo venture was etched long back and the lockdown was a learning curve for the Calcutta boy.

The brand launched its first collection, Baby Steps, on Women’s Day with actor Koneenica Banerjee and her adorable daughter Antahkarana donning the collection in a heart-warming photo shoot. “The bond between a parent and a child is a special one, and Koneenicadi and her daughter Kiah brought out that relationship wonderfully in our collection. Kiah completely stole the show,” said Koushik. A chat with the young owner of Pazy.

How did the idea behind Pazy come to be?

The idea first came to me when my one-year-old nephew started getting rashes from ready-made garments. I had then started making clothes from handloom cotton fabric at home, using natural dye and processing them organically, and with much research finally went ahead with Pazy. Most store-bought clothes claim to be 100 per cent cotton but are not. At Pazy we are keeping our promise of using 100 per cent certified handspun cotton that also adds a comfort factor to the clothes. The sustainable fashion market is mostly dominated by adultwear, rarely do we see a separate label dedicated to kids. From that perspective, Pazy is a fresh breath of air that encourages conscious wear from an early age. The word itself has been derived from the Spanish word ‘paz’ signifying peace and Bengali word ‘paji’, describing the frolicking nature of the child.

Is being an online fashion brand as easy as it looks?

It is certainly not easy, but it is not taxing either. As an online fashion brand owner, it is an added responsibility to make sure every step of the production stays true to the brand promise since interaction with the customer takes place on a virtual platform. At Pazy, we ensure trust and reliability by looking after every step, from making dyes to planning motifs, to the point of handing over the product. At a decade where online businesses are flourishing more than ever, Pazy sees good prospects ahead and is hopeful to spread awareness with its platform.

Koushik Saha

What ‘baby steps’ is Pazy taking with its new collection?

With its first collection Baby Steps, Pazy is not only taking steps towards what we hope would go on to become a larger change in kidswear but also introducing its new collection that redefines the relationship between the child, the parents, and nature. The collection Baby Steps, a spring- summer ’21 range, uses organic ingredients and handcrafted elements. Merging jamdani and eco-print in our garments has led to a unique amalgamation of nature with textiles. At Pazy, we tend to look at nature as our source of inspiration. We derive impression, colours, pigment, and motif from nature and reflect them in its unique representation within the traditional art of jamdani weave techniques. At an age when the connection with nature is fading, we are trying to connect the children with the beauties of nature and how playful it can be.

Who is the team behind Pazy?

Our tag line is “craftsmanship of India”, which is why I strongly believe in supporting the locals. Our artisans hail from Burdwan and Katua and help in weaving the fabric and in making the designs. The pandemic had limited many of the artisans. With Pazy, I wanted to give them an opportunity, especially the women workers, who make up most of the team. A great example is our cutting master and his wife who work for Pazy, for whom the brand has become an income source for the family.

Koneenica Banerjee donned a crop top made of jamdani fabric in green, paired with a plain white sari. Antahkarana was all smiles in a comfortable and chic white pleated dress made from handspun and handwoven cotton with eco-printed guava-leaf motifs.

How does Pazy aim to inculcate this crucial message in minds of tiny tots whose worlds have now been increasingly digitalised and where bright unsustainable fashion easily attracts the eye?

Education starts at home. Since parents know and want the best for their child, Pazy desires to stand by the parents as they make conscious choices for their kids. We cater to ages 0-10 years and after that it becomes customisable. Since comfort is the number one factor, the clothes become an instant favourite of the child. Roomy fits, breathable material, and striking abstract prints are what sets Pazy aside. At the specified age, children want to be active and be comfortable while being so. Pazy is all about activewear that can work as occasionwear as well as something children can sleep in. With eco printing, there is always a distinct print placement where even veins of leaf prints differ from one another. At Pazy we aim to spread this education of no two things being alike in nature, which helps the little minds reconnect with nature as well.

Pictures courtesy: Pazy