About No Nasties
30 minutes
That's the rate at which farmers are committing suicide in India. One every half an hour!
60 million
That's the number of child labourers in India. 60 million children!
55%
That's the percentage of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers used on cotton in India, even though it only takes up 5% of farm land!
These numbers were too disturbing for us to ignore. We decided to do something about it.
We looked at the current initiatives by the government and non-government organizations in India and were glad to see a growing movement to switch to organic and fair trade practices.
No genetically modified seeds, no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, no carcinogens, no high interest loans, no child labour, no price exploitation, no suicides!
Most of this work, however, was being done at the grassroots level and there was not enough support for it from the end consumers. We think that is due to a lack of awareness as well as a lack of choice for the consumers.
We don't believe that anyone who is truly aware of what is going on would turn their heads and support this unsustainable, slave trade economy, if they had a viable alternative. An alternative that doesn't ask the consumers to change their lifestyle, but meets them where they're at and matches their fashion and design sensibilities.
Most of this work, however, was being done at the grassroots level and there was not enough support for it from the end consumers. We think that is due to a lack of awareness as well as a lack of choice for the consumers.
We don't believe that anyone who is truly aware of what is going on would turn their heads and support this unsustainable, slave trade economy, if they had a viable alternative. An alternative that doesn't ask the consumers to change their lifestyle, but meets them where they're at and matches their fashion and design sensibilities.
Introducing No Nasties: 100% organic & fair trade clothing that is ethically and sustainably made from seed to garment.
The People behind No Nasties
No Nasties was started by Apurva and Diti - two bicycle riding, frisbee tossing, yoga posing, organic farming, city dwelling, Auroville dreaming, Mumbai residents!
We (try to) do no nasty!
Apurva Kothari
Apurva's background is in product development and technology.
He takes care of business strategy and marketing for No Nasties.
He takes care of business strategy and marketing for No Nasties.
Diti Kotecha
Diti's background is in graphic design and travel photography.
She heads design and branding for No Nasties.
She heads design and branding for No Nasties.
Our Support Team
Besides the two of us, we have a wonderful support team that makes all this possible!
Shweta (Apu's lovely wife) is our amazing in-house fashion designer who creates our stylish t-shirt fits! Charu is our fantastic photographer and a fashion designer herself. Chris helped us tremendously with accounting and marketing; Pragnya lends a (big) hand with our website copy; Adrienne has done the lovely illustrations on our website and Amrita helps us out with operations. And then we've also got a long list of great looking, big-hearted friends who model for us, buy our t-shirts regularly and spread the good word.
Shweta (Apu's lovely wife) is our amazing in-house fashion designer who creates our stylish t-shirt fits! Charu is our fantastic photographer and a fashion designer herself. Chris helped us tremendously with accounting and marketing; Pragnya lends a (big) hand with our website copy; Adrienne has done the lovely illustrations on our website and Amrita helps us out with operations. And then we've also got a long list of great looking, big-hearted friends who model for us, buy our t-shirts regularly and spread the good word.
Shweta Deliwala
Shweta is a partner at Attic, a fashion and lifestyle store in Mumbai & also has her own fashion label called Him Her & the Apple.
Charu Anand
Charu is a fashion photographer as well as a designer & proprietor at LABADA.
Our Partners
We work with like-minded and socially focussed organizations at every stage - from our business mentors to our fair trade NGO, from our farms to our factory, from our courier service to the causes we support.
We believe that the best way to gain trust about what we do is to be completely transparent about our supply chain and our partners. Accordingly, we are happy to share where our products come from.
Unltd India
UnLtd India is a launchpad for social entrepreneurs that finds, funds and supports exceptional individuals whose ideas, passion and entrepreneurial skills can bring about long-term solutions to India's social problems.
Unltd India has selected No Nasties as one of their 2011 investees.
Unltd India has selected No Nasties as one of their 2011 investees.
Shop for Change
Shop for Change Fair Trade is a section 25 Not for Profit company that is trying to find innovative solutions to the problems faced by of poor farmers and artisans in India.
The No Nasties supply chain is certified as Fair Trade by Shop for Change.
The No Nasties supply chain is certified as Fair Trade by Shop for Change.
Chetna Organic
Chetna Organic Farmers Association is a co-op that provides support for cotton farmers to switch to organic and fair trade practices.
No Nasties organic cotton is sourced from Chetna.
No Nasties organic cotton is sourced from Chetna.
Rajlakshmi Mills
Rajlakshmi Cotton Mills is one of India’s leading sustainable textile companies that not only produces quality products but observes the highest social, economic and environmental standards.
It is organic and fair trade certified.
No Nasties t-shirts are made by Rajlakshmi.
No Nasties t-shirts are made by Rajlakshmi.
Mirakle Couriers
Mirakle is a courier agency employing low-income deaf adults with the aim of empowering the deaf community by giving them meaningful employment that brings them a sense of pride.
No Nasties t-shirts are delivered exclusively via Mirakle in Mumbai.
No Nasties t-shirts are delivered exclusively via Mirakle in Mumbai.
RUR
An environment forum, RUR (Are you Reducing, Reusing, Recycling?) has a vision to create eco friendly citizens.
It works on spreading awareness through workshops on green living, zero waste management, home composting.
No Nasties gets its recycled tetrapak paper for its tags and business cards from RUR.
No Nasties gets its recycled tetrapak paper for its tags and business cards from RUR.
Pebble Garden
Pebble Garden is a successful experiment in land reclamation and a sustainable model for food production.
It also produces seeds of hardy varieties of vegetables, root crops and medicinal and herbal plants.
No Nasties gives a share of its profits from every t-shirt to Pebble Garden.
No Nasties gives a share of its profits from every t-shirt to Pebble Garden.
Tsunamika
Tsunamika is a Tsunami related project of Upasana Design Studio Auroville.
Women in the villages affected by the Tsunami in south India are trained to make these little dolls called Tsunamika.
No Nasties gives a Tsunamika free with each t-shirt and makes a contribution back to the project.
No Nasties gives a Tsunamika free with each t-shirt and makes a contribution back to the project.
About Our Designer Community
Design is important.
From the very start, we wanted to build a community of like-minded and incredibly skilled designers to be a part of No Nasties; to gather a group of talented individuals that all believe in the power of good through design.
They give us designs. Great designs!
We give them food. And recognition. And royalties.
We invite you to join our community as well. Just send us an email to yes@nonasties.in and we'll get the ball rolling.
Till then, check out our current designers and their fantastic designs!
They give us designs. Great designs!
We give them food. And recognition. And royalties.
We invite you to join our community as well. Just send us an email to yes@nonasties.in and we'll get the ball rolling.
Till then, check out our current designers and their fantastic designs!
Volunteer with us!
We need your help!
We can never have enough hands around here!
If you believe in what we're doing and would like to help out, please email or call us.
There are opportunities in marketing, design, operations, accounting...you name it, we need it! Just come on over!
