OUR STANDARDS

The things we pay attention to.

The standards are quiet, but you notice them whenever a piece feels good, moves easily and stays in your wardrobe.

Natural fibers, chosen for living.

We choose natural fibers such as cotton, linen, khadi and chanderi for their breathability, softness and character. Where they suit the piece, we use organic fabrics. Our dyes are azo-free, chosen with the skin and the life of the garment in mind.

Fit that follows the day.

We test a piece for sitting, bending, walking, carrying and moving through the ordinary changes of a day. Waistlines should feel easy after lunch. Sleeves should move with you. A good fit gives the body room to live in it.

Clean construction, inside and out.

Every RIHLA garment is clean-finished inside, so the inside looks as considered as the outside. We use French or flat-finished seams where the construction calls for them, keeping edges neat, reducing fraying and helping the garment sit cleanly on the body. Our stitch standard is 15 to 18 stitches per inch.

The right support in the right place.

Linings are added where they support the fabric and the wearer. Closures are made to open easily and sit securely. Dresses and skirts include pockets sized for the things you carry. Construction is part of the design from the first sketch.

Details That Earn Their Place.

A pintuck, button, gather or hand-finished edge should bring character as well as purpose. We look for the small decisions that make a piece more useful, more comfortable or more satisfying to wear.

Fairness Is Part Of The Standard.

The standard extends to the people who make the clothes. Textile and garment work is skilled work, and we account for the time, knowledge and care it requires. Fair, equitable wages are part of making craft viable for the people who practice it.

Good Clothes Should Make Themselves Useful.

A garment can carry a great deal and still feel easy. That is the balance we are always working toward.

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