Karak Denim began after a conversation I had with my father. Sat in one of Lahore’s many tea houses we spoke about many things including the current state of the city. There’s a smog now that covers Lahore. I tell my friends abroad that we have a saying in the city, ‘that the person who has not seen Lahore hasn’t lived’.

Though now due to this smog that covers and masks everything people will not get the chance to see it. “It’s all industry” my father informs me. He’s been working in the manufacturing of textiles in the country and abroad for almost forty years now. “Hopefully it will change soon, I’ve seen online there’s more people moving towards sustainable methods of production” I put forward. My dad tells me that it’s true, that there are those in the industry doing good green work.

“Though son, a lot of people shirk their responsibility.”

“What do you mean?”

“It is easier to not ask too many questions, a lot of International brands will search for those who promise manufacturing cheaper even if the processes around manufacturing are not likely as green as advertised.”

I was a little disheartened and my father saw this.

He calls over the shop owner and asks for him to bring us Karak Chai (Genuine Strong Tea). We watch as the man readies the tea that had been prepared in the old traditional way.

“Like this man Nadir there are those who manufacture clothes in the right way, who learn and refine the process, it is just not easy to find them.”

“Then let’s find them”

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s run a brand and only source from those we know follow the best practices”

My dad smiled at the idea and the man brought over our Chais.

“I think we have a name for the brand too.”

And Karak Denim was began!!!

At Karak, our goal is to be able to get more people to wear clothes that they will love and represent the values they hold.