Women as producers, not beneficiaries: Honest hustle collective showcases 28 enterprises in Chennai

Founded in 2024 by Maithreye Rajagopal, the Honest Hustle Collective returns with its third edition, spotlighting women-backed enterprises where women are not beneficiaries but producers, and decision-makers.

“I am bringing together enterprises rooted in sustainability, dignity of labour and measurable grassroots impact, with the backing of the community,” says Maithreye. She describes the Honest Hustle Collective as more than a marketplace — it is a platform for purposeful partnerships and measurable change.

For designers, the event offers opportunities to ethically source textiles, yardages and handcrafted materials, as well as to directly collaborate with artisan clusters. “We are collaborating with organisations where women form the majority of the workforce, not as beneficiaries, but as producers, leaders and decision-makers, shaping India’s craft and livelihood economy,” she adds.

The Bengal muslin sari, revived by The MG Gramodyog Sewa Sansthan (MGGSS) Foundation
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Special Arrangement

Over 28 brands from across the country will showcase their work. Colour Ashram, from Ahmedabad, will be offering a natural dye workshop for participants aged 15 and above. ReCharka will travel to Chennai with handwoven lifestyle products made from discarded plastic waste, crafted by rural women who transform environmental challenges into circular design solutions.

Look out for Chennai-based Smith Design Studio, known for bridging traditional craft and contemporary design through naturally dyed yarns and handwoven fabrics and Diti with its range of sustainable clothing. The MG Gramodyog Sewa Sansthan Foundation will showcase its revival of Bengal Muslin, featuring hand-spun and handwoven indigenous cotton fabrics that celebrate India’s textile heritage. Textile reviver, Pankaja Sethi, who collaborates with loom clusters across Odisha, will be showcasing her collection, and so will Tula, the brand that champions rain-fed organic cotton and khadi, working with farmers to promote soil health and climate-resilient textiles.

Adding a dimension of women’s wellbeing, Martin’s Mocktails will present a curated wellness menu featuring menopause-friendly mocktails and pregnancy-support blends alongside fresh juices and salad bowls.

Presented in collaboration with Alliance Française of Madras and Goethe-Institut Chennai, this not-for-profit initiative bridges culture, commerce and community.

@Alliance Française of Madras, Nungambakkam, March 7 & 8, 12 to 8 pm. Entry is free. For details, call: 9629850007