• Nabilah Suhail on Pull up a Loop’s ethical fashion

In a world increasingly dominated by mass production, Nabilah Suhail, the founder of Pull up a Loop, is weaving a different story. Her charming business isn’t just about creating beautiful, handcrafted children’s clothing, but is also about preserving a rich tradition and empowering rural communities.

With a vision to elevate the local handicrafts industry to meet global standards, Nabilah is ensuring artisans receive fair compensation and their talent thrives. But, the impact goes beyond economics. Pull up a Loop is about uplifting rural livelihoods, one meticulously crafted stitch at a time. The Daily Morning Brunch sat down with her to gain a glimpse into Nabilah’s world, where exquisite design meets social purpose and every creation carries the magic of handcrafted tradition.

Following are excerpts from the interview:

Pull up a Loop’s story goes deeper than design. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the company’s name and its mission to empower rural communities through handcrafted children’s clothing?

Pull up a Loop embodies a vision rooted in both artistry and community empowerment. The name itself is a nod to the craft of crocheting, symbolising the act of using one’s hands not only to create, but also to thrive. It reflects a commitment to completing the loop by giving back to the community that nurtures these skills.

Our mission is to preserve the rich heritage of the local handicraft industry in Sri Lanka by establishing a handmade design label that resonates with global markets. By elevating our offerings to meet international standards and securing optimal pricing for our products, we aim to empower artisans through enhanced training and support. This initiative fosters community development, ensuring that local talent is celebrated and sustained, allowing artisans to thrive both creatively and economically while contributing to the preservation of traditional crafts.

The social impact: Enhancing talent; local artisans have access to better quality raw material, gain regular feedback for improvement of their work, and are paid fair wages.

Community development projects: Selected women entrepreneurs have access to easy payment, zero interest loans to purchase equipment to build operational capacity. For example, Inaya from Malwana who does smocking got assistance to purchase a pleater. She repaid the loan and now can complete four times more orders. Support is provided to build classrooms for a rural school in Monaragala in collaboration with the local community. Two classrooms are complete, six more to be completed.

How does Pull up a Loop bridge the gap between traditional handcrafts and the demands of today’s global market?

Pull up a Loop bridges the gap between traditional handcrafts and the demands of today’s global market by preserving the artistry and quality of time-honoured techniques while adapting to modern consumer needs. These products infuse authenticity and sustainability into a fast-paced, mass-production-driven industry, offering parents a more personalised alternative. By blending craftsmanship with contemporary designs, we cater to the growing demand for unique, high-quality products that ensure timeless traditions remain relevant in a competitive global market.

Can you walk us through the process of how a Pull up a Loop garment comes to life, highlighting the role of local artisans?

At Pull up a Loop, the creation of each unique piece is a journey that blends thoughtful design with expert craftsmanship. Once the design is finalised and high-quality materials are sourced, sample searches are requested from local artisans to ensure the desired texture and fabric.

Based on these samples, a precise pattern is developed for the final piece. The pattern, along with the sourced materials, is then sent to the local artisan, who meticulously follows the specifications to craft the piece by hand. Some pieces may take up to 30 man-hours to complete.

After the piece is completed, it is returned to Pull up a Loop, where it undergoes a thorough quality inspection. Finishing touches such as personalised details are carefully added before the product is packaged and shipped to the customer.

How does Pull up a Loop ensure fair compensation for the artisans who create your beautiful pieces?

Pull up a Loop ensures fair compensation for artisans by establishing transparency. This begins with open communication, where fair wages are agreed upon based on the time, skill, and materials required for each piece of work.

Pull up a Loop works directly with artisans to set prices that reflect the true value of their work, avoiding exploitative middlemen. In addition, we provide artisans with training opportunities and support in sourcing materials, ensuring financial stability and growth.

By valuing the artisans’ contributions and aligning compensation with both living wages and the true artistry involved, we foster equitable relationships and uphold our mission.

Does Pull up a Loop have any initiatives in place to support or train the next generation of artisans?

Our current focus is to retain existing local handcrafting artisans to preserve traditional skills and foster economic stability within communities.

Many artisans face the temptation to seek alternative sources of income, such as unskilled jobs, often driven by immediate financial pressures. By providing a reliable source of employment that allows these skilled individuals to work from home, we can create a sustainable model that empowers artisans, particularly women who have left the workforce to raise families.

This approach not only enables them to earn a viable income while maintaining family responsibilities but also reinforces the value of their craftsmanship. By investing in training and providing consistent work opportunities, we can help artisans remain engaged in their craft, ensuring that these valuable skills are not lost to time and that the local handcrafting community thrives.

What are some of the unique qualities or challenges associated with working with handcrafted materials for children’s clothing?

Handcrafted children’s clothing, especially pieces made using techniques like crochet, knitting, and smocking, offers unique qualities that cater to the needs of growing children. These traditional methods create natural elasticity, allowing the garments to stretch and adapt to a child’s rapid growth during the early years. The flexibility of these materials ensures a comfortable fit without restricting movement, making them ideal for active play and exploration.

Additionally, the handcrafting process ensures each piece is meticulously made with attention to detail, resulting in durable clothing that stands up to frequent wear. The personalised, artisanal touch behind each garment also adds character, offering parents timeless, high-quality pieces that can be passed down through generations.

Where do you see Pull up a Loop in the next few years? How do you hope to continue contributing to the local handicrafts industry?

In the next few years, I envision Pull up a Loop growing into Sri Lanka’s leading handcraft brand, known for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and support for local artisans. By expanding our product range and increasing our reach, we aim to become a go-to destination for both local and global brands.

Our focus will be on strengthening local artisan communities, providing them with fair compensation and training opportunities, thereby enriching the local handicrafts industry.

Additionally, we hope to launch community workshops that encourage craftsmanship among younger generations, ensuring that traditional techniques are preserved and passed down.

By fostering a collaborative network of artisans and engaging with customers who value ethical fashion, Pull up a Loop will contribute to a more sustainable and vibrant local economy, celebrating the artistry of handcrafts while meeting the evolving needs of modern consumers.