London, England, United Kingdom
Ashna is a designer, researcher, and cultural practitioner investigating the intersections of craft, culture, and land within regional textile economies. Her practice is rooted in heritage materials, decentralised systems, and community well-being. She has collaborated with organisations across Europe and India, moving fluidly between making and systems thinking: developing cloth and clothing while also engaging in research, writing, and strategy that support resilient, place-based economies. Since 2019, Ashna has been deeply engaged with Khadi London, a not-for-profit knowledge hub dedicated to regenerative fibres, textiles and systems. She has led and co-developed research and development initiatives, including the British Council–funded Circular Handspun project; facilitated cross-cultural collaborations between makers, researchers, and institutions including University of the Arts London; and coordinated events that bridge cultures, geographies, and materials. Alongside this, Ashna contributes to Selvedge, a leading international, design-led magazine founded in 2004, curating global gatherings that celebrate cloth, culture and community.
Selvedge is a leading international, bi-monthly textile magazine founded in 2004, exploring global textile stories and the cultural significance of fabric. In this role, I curate a programme of in-person and digital gatherings that celebrate cloth and community across borders.
Khadi London is a leading knowledge hub in regenerative textiles, dedicated to advancing sustainable practices through research, development, and innovation in the textile sector. Working across borders, our mission is to drive impactful change alongside rural communities and artisan groups involved in the production of ethical, heritage and natural fibre textiles. Our projects span global research initiatives, strategic partnerships, and public programming that spotlight textiles as catalysts for climate action, social equity, and cultural resilience.
Lecturer on MA Sustainable Fashion & Systems and MA Fashion Design
Kullvi Whims is a social enterprise based in Himachal Pradesh, India. With a focus on indigenous Himalayan wool, they work to rejuvenate a traditional fibre system alongside local artisans. From fleece to fabric, every step of their value chain is traceable, from sourcing native wool from the nomadic shepherds who traverse the Himalayan ranges, to hand-spinning, knitting and weaving and natural dyeing with local flora. In my role, I was responsible for co-ordinating the design development and production of Kullvi Whims' first home & apparel collection in collaboration with designer, Gunjan Jain (Vriksh).
A tangible research project with an aim of revitalising a design narrative rooted in regional identity, renewable, local resources, and handcraft. The limited collection is fully traceable from farm to final product. In collaboration with Denmark’s first small-scale spinning mill and textile designer, Marianne Noer.