Meet the Maker - GUNAS

GUNAS is an independent high fashion label started in 2009 by designer and animal lover, Sugandh G. Agrawal. With an award winning design and business background, Sugandh quit her  corporate career as an Industrial designer at KitchenAid to start her own brand of cruelty-free fashion in New York. Her mission is strong and clear. Animals are NOT meant to be a part of fashion and we can look and feel good without harming other living beings.

Being a life-long vegetarian and now vegan, Sugandh found a deep disconnect between her eating and fashion choices. Having grown up in India, a country where cows are worshipped and ironically also slaughtered for their meat and skin, she knew in her heart that she had to do something about it.

With an intention to do everything “right”, she set out to make a product that was not only vegan but also ethically made in a sweatshop-free environment, Sugandh began with a modest 8 piece collection made in NYC.  However, unable to maintain affordable prices, she pursued production in China but was uncomfortable with non-transparency and the working conditions in factories and set out to start her own studio in India, where she trained artisans and worked closely with them to make the collections.

The brand has now gone global to source and manufacture bags using artisan and small-scale ethical manufacturers from countries such as India, South Korea, Mexico, Brazil and Hong Kong. GUNAS strongly support small manufacturers and artisans groups and maintain a personal connection with all their artisans through personal annual visits to their studios ensure high quality standards and ethical work conditions are maintained.  With styles ranging from totes, satchels, cross-body bags, wallets and backpacks, GUNAS has a bag to suit your every mood and lifestyle need.

GUNAS are committed to using 100% vegan and cruelty-free materials. They believe that animals are not a ‘property’ of humans and all products are free of leather, silk, fur, wool, bone, horn and animal byproduct adhesives.