Sustainable fashion label ILK launches its Mutualism collection in Chennai

The Hindu

25-04-2025

Imagine transforming everyday fabrics into unusual and craft-oriented pieces through intricate textures and a thoughtful approach towards design, where even leftover fabrics find new life. That is the essence of ILK, a design label started by two friends over a decade ago.
Shikha Grover and Vinita Adhikari, who discovered an instant alignment in their aesthetics while working together under another designer, say that the birth of ILK was remarkably spontaneous. This initial togetherness mirrors the meaning they later found in their brand name. 'It means a clan, a community and this has been part of our ethos since the beginning,' says Shikha. Over the years, ILK has evolved from experimenting with diverse materials — even 'cycle spokes, nuts, and bolts' — to establishing itself in the luxury-casual intersection, with a focus on comfortable and distinctive designs.
Their latest collection, Mutualism, draws from the deep-rooted bond of interdependence in Nature. 'You know how a specific type of bird feeds on the parasites and worms on a zebra's skin? It helps the zebra keep its skin clean. They are dependent on each other. Even in our society, we have different communities coming together and depending on each other, and that's where this concept comes from,' says Vinita. This concept of interconnectedness extends to their broader philosophy of community too.
ILK has launched this collection in Chennai at multi-brand design store Collage this week. 'We have done a few events in Chennai before, and the fashion sensibility of the city is very on-brand for us. I feel like the design aesthetic of Chennai is subtle, and they are conscious about the kind of fabrics they choose. We do some breezy, comfortable fabrics, and it suits the city well,' says Shikha, adding that comfort has always been a top priority.
'We do try to wear each product ourselves first to see how it is feeling from inside. We check to see if there are a lot of raw edges on the inside, and if we are able to slip in and out of it comfortably,' says Shikha.
The pieces in Mutualism are made from leftover pieces of fabric, brought together carefully by applying a sense of aesthetic that makes each piece unique. 'We have done appliquéing work on them to create texture. It is sustainable and there is less wastage. The product comes out looking unique,' says Vinita. Some garments feature layers of sheer and solid fabrics stitched into patterns that mimic flowers, shrubs and trees, while others are adorned with motifs that are a nod to the animal kingdom, with zebra and cheetah skin-like texture. The effect is subtle, but speaks volumes — of balance, relationship, and co-creation.
Mutualism by ILK is on display at Collage, Chennai. Shop the collection starting ₹8,500.