K D Sharma: HimGra is the future of luxury sustainable textiles

DESCATUK has positioned HimGra as a next-generation fibre competing with premium natural textiles like linen and hemp, while setting new benchmarks in environmental responsibility. K D Sharma, Director and Co-founder, Dev Ethical Sustainable Crafts and Textiles, Uttarakhand-DESCATUK, in this interview with Divya Shetty, shares more details about this new sustainable fibre.

Could you provide an overview of HimGra, including its origin, the team behind its development, and its key unique selling points? Additionally, in which industries is HimGra primarily utilized?

HimGra is a revolutionary, award winner eco–luxury fibre derived from wild perennial Himalayan grass. Developed by DESCATUK, a DIPP-recognized startup, it is backed by a team of textile experts, sustainability advocates, and rural artisans. HimGra is distinct because it is a zero-input fibre—it grows naturally on rainfed land without fertilizers, pesticides, or irrigation, giving it a zero-seed and cultivation carbon footprint.

What sets HimGra apart?

• Natural Climate Control: The hollow and circular fibre structure provides natural insulation, making it cool in summer and warm in winter—a premium feature for luxury fabrics.
• Versatility: HimGra blends well with cotton, wool, silk, and viscose, ensuring its adaptability in high-fashion, home textiles, and luxury knitwear.
• Sustainable Production: Unlike flax or conventional fibres, HimGra uses a patent-applied, waterless extraction process, eliminating water pollution.

Over 40+ premium brands have already tested HimGra fabrics across apparel, home textiles, and knitwear segments, recognizing it as a pioneering sustainable alternative for luxury textiles.

Has HimGra received any notable recognitions or certifications? Could you share key milestones that highlight its success?

HimGra has been recognized at the highest industry levels. Some key achievements include:

• Winner of the Textile Innovation Challenge by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
• Impact validation by GreenR, J-PAL South Asia backed by IKEA foundation
• Impact material of the year in  Sustainability Next 24 by Apparel Resources
• Supported by IIT Mandi Catalyst, Fashion for Good, IRMA-Iseed, and the Government of Uttarakhand.
• Over 40 luxury brands validating HimGra for apparel, home textiles, and knitwear.
• HimGra ready-to-wear collections are now available through luxury e-commerce platforms like B77 Style, Crazy Flower Studio, Nivoraa etc

These milestones reinforce HimGra’s position as a transformative innovation in sustainable luxury textiles.

How does HimGra contribute to sustainability in raw materials, production, and lifecycle impact?

Sustainability is at the core of HimGra’s DNA. Here’s how:

• Zero cultivation impact: Unlike cotton and linen, HimGra requires no irrigation, fertilizers, or pesticides, drastically reducing agricultural emissions.
• Waterless fibre processing: Our  extraction technology eliminates chemical treatments and water pollution.
• Durability and biodegradability: HimGra fabrics are long-lasting and fully biodegradable, ensuring a circular economy approach.

Luxury brands incorporating HimGra can reduce their environmental footprint without compromising on quality, luxury, or performance.

How does HimGra contribute to the growth and welfare of local artisans?

HimGra isn’t just about sustainability; it’s about empowering rural communities:

• Livelihood support: Every meter of HimGra fabric directly supports two rural women in Uttarakhand and one weaver in Bihar, ensuring fair wages and employment stability.
• Skill development: We collaborate with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to train artisans in fiber extraction, cultivation and weaving, promoting economic self-reliance.
• Transparent supply chain: HimGra cultivation is managed by Dev UK Foundation, our not-for-profit arm, ensuring fair trade and ethical production practices.

Luxury brands that choose HimGra are not just sourcing sustainable textiles—they are investing in real, measurable social impact.

What are your plans to scale up HimGra’s production and distribution?

HimGra is entering an expansion phase, with key initiatives including:

• Pilot commercial cultivation: We are partnering with five exclusive industry leaders across home textiles, apparel, knits, denim, and linen manufacturing for dedicated cultivation projects.
• Luxury brand collaborations: We aim to establish long-term partnerships with global luxury designers.
• Investment and CSR opportunities: Brands can invest in HimGra’s cultivation and impact projects, gaining exclusive material access and sustainability credentials.
• Certification and global validation: We are working towards GOTS, Fairtrade, and other global certifications to strengthen HimGra’s position in sustainable luxury.

Our vision is to make HimGra the go-to sustainable luxury fiber for high-end fashion brands worldwide.

Where do you see HimGra in the next five years?

The demand for sustainable luxury textiles is only growing, and HimGra is at the forefront of this revolution. Over the next five years, we expect:

• Mainstream adoption by global luxury fashion houses, just like organic cotton and plant-based leathers.
• A fully circular HimGra ecosystem, where brands invest in fibre cultivation and build transparent supply chains.
• Recognition through luxury sustainability awards and certifications.
• Expansion of rural impact, scaling up artisan employment across multiple regions.

Luxury brands today must integrate sustainability into their DNA—HimGra offers them a way to do so without compromising quality or exclusivity.

Any message for luxury fashion brands exploring HimGra?

HimGra represents the future of sustainable luxury. It is an authentic, high-performance textile that blends innovation, ethical production, and premium craftsmanship. For fashion brands looking to lead the sustainable revolution, now is the perfect time to explore HimGra and become part of an impact-driven movement.