FASHION & ACCESSORIES
ARANYANI
Aranyani is a luxury handbag brand that draws inspiration from the rich heritage of Bharat’s Vedic civilization, which has thrived for over 30,000 years. ‘Aranyani’ means ‘The Goddess of the Forest’ which is synonymous with the brand’s focus on nature and positive impact, along with artisanship and craftsmanship that are guided by the Vedic philosophies of S.A.I - Service, Awareness, and Inclusivity. Their design principles are inspired by nature and crafted by tradition, creating a unique and immersive retail experience in their London concept store, with their own state-of-the-art atelier in Bangalore, India, following the original concept of the family workshop.
SUSTAINABILITY PURPOSE
Aranyani's guiding principle is ‘the brand is only as valuable as the positive impact it has on the world’. With a vision towards ensuring a sustainable legacy, the brand is committed to provide lasting commercial, social and environmental benefits, courageously taking on new challenges in an ethical manner. In keeping up with this commitment, Aranyani avoids the use of exotic leathers and never condones harming animals for their skin. Instead, the brand sources repurposed discarded skins and hides of animals that were raised for the food industry. The leather is sourced from tanneries that hold LWG Certifications, incorporating wastewater detoxification and recycling into their processes. The atelier team incorporates sustainable practices in the production lifecycle and is working towards becoming zero waste by 2025, by designing for zero waste. The Aranyani Education Trust has been created to play a pivotal role in identifying economically disadvantaged children and supporting the SDG Goal #4 of Quality Education in the local communities.
Established
2023
Headquarters
Bangalore, India
Employees
50-100
Categories
Handbags
Website
Distribution
UK
SUSTAINABILITY REPORT CARD
Positive Luxury powers the Butterfly Mark, the only assessment and certification designed to shape a sustainable future for the luxury industry and luxury consumers
REAL CHANGE IN ACTION
ORGANISATIONAL GOVERNANCE
Aranyani’s internal governance identifies waste management, packaging, and upholding its sustainability purpose as its most material priorities, reflecting a mission of “positive impact at every touchpoint.” The brand treats luxury as a responsibility, aiming for each creation to uplift artisans, protect nature, and foster conscious consumption while positioning itself as a luxury house rooted in Vedic principles of balance and respect for life rather than pure commerce. This purpose is embedded in a strict zero-waste approach across its atelier and operations, where materials are maximised and repurposed, with offcut leathers crafted into accessories such as charms, scarf rings, and bookmarks, and organic waste from headquarters fully composted to avoid landfill. Packaging choices further reduce environmental impact through the complete avoidance of plastics and bioplastics from production to delivery, supported by clear labelling on packaging, bag care, and the brand’s ongoing sustainability commitments.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Aranyani frames hazardous materials management as a core element of its broader sustainability strategy, aiming to protect both the environment and human health throughout the product lifecycle. Aranyani holds a Hazardous Materials Management policy which applies to internal teams and suppliers alike, with final approval at the senior leadership level, signalling strong organisational commitment and shared accountability. Suppliers are required to meet strict standards on hazardous material use and undergo regular audits to verify compliance, while Aranyani remains aligned with evolving local and international regulations in the textile and fashion sector to ensure all operations meet relevant environmental and safety requirements. The company also provides transparency to consumers by disclosing the materials used in each handbag and has set KPIs to monitor their Material Safety Data Sheet compliance and hazardous waste generation.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Aranyani’s community involvement focuses on enhancing well-being and opportunity through education, livelihoods, technology, and health initiatives. The company seeks to expand access to education, create employment, and build skills, including technological capabilities, for communities connected to its value chain. It aims to conduct comprehensive impact assessments to identify and evaluate potential risks and impacts of its operations on communities upstream and downstream, considering local residents, businesses, and environmental resources. Aranyani’s goal is to improve quality of life through programmes that support vocational training, formal education, health, sustainable livelihoods, and cultural preservation. Aranyani donates 2% of revenue to support the Aranyani Education & Vocational Trust, which funds schooling for craftsmen’s children and others in the surrounding community. Aranyani also provides medical insurance for all employees and regularly distributes monthly rations in partnership with local bodies, strengthening social protection and community resilience.
Aranyani’s internal governance identifies waste management, packaging, and upholding its sustainability purpose as its most material priorities, reflecting a mission of “positive impact at every touchpoint.” The brand treats luxury as a responsibility, aiming for each creation to uplift artisans, protect nature, and foster conscious consumption while positioning itself as a luxury house rooted in Vedic principles of balance and respect for life rather than pure commerce. This purpose is embedded in a strict zero-waste approach across its atelier and operations, where materials are maximised and repurposed, with offcut leathers crafted into accessories such as charms, scarf rings, and bookmarks, and organic waste from headquarters fully composted to avoid landfill. Packaging choices further reduce environmental impact through the complete avoidance of plastics and bioplastics from production to delivery, supported by clear labelling on packaging, bag care, and the brand’s ongoing sustainability commitments.
Aranyani frames hazardous materials management as a core element of its broader sustainability strategy, aiming to protect both the environment and human health throughout the product lifecycle. Aranyani holds a Hazardous Materials Management policy which applies to internal teams and suppliers alike, with final approval at the senior leadership level, signalling strong organisational commitment and shared accountability. Suppliers are required to meet strict standards on hazardous material use and undergo regular audits to verify compliance, while Aranyani remains aligned with evolving local and international regulations in the textile and fashion sector to ensure all operations meet relevant environmental and safety requirements. The company also provides transparency to consumers by disclosing the materials used in each handbag and has set KPIs to monitor their Material Safety Data Sheet compliance and hazardous waste generation.
Aranyani’s community involvement focuses on enhancing well-being and opportunity through education, livelihoods, technology, and health initiatives. The company seeks to expand access to education, create employment, and build skills, including technological capabilities, for communities connected to its value chain. It aims to conduct comprehensive impact assessments to identify and evaluate potential risks and impacts of its operations on communities upstream and downstream, considering local residents, businesses, and environmental resources. Aranyani’s goal is to improve quality of life through programmes that support vocational training, formal education, health, sustainable livelihoods, and cultural preservation. Aranyani donates 2% of revenue to support the Aranyani Education & Vocational Trust, which funds schooling for craftsmen’s children and others in the surrounding community. Aranyani also provides medical insurance for all employees and regularly distributes monthly rations in partnership with local bodies, strengthening social protection and community resilience.
Standards & Accreditations
To provide evidence of sustainability performance across luxury companies' full value chain, 180+ memberships, accreditations and specialist certifications are taken into account during assessment
ISO 14001 Environmental Management
ISO 9001 Quality Management
ISO 26000 Social Responsibilities
ISO 50001 (Energy Management)
Oeko-Tex
A WORD FROM THE FOUNDER
At Aranyani, we espouse the maxim: ‘Luxury Necessitates Positive Impact’. Our adoption of the atelier format of manufacturing allows us to create timeless pieces, by embracing handcrafted products that are intimate and of immense value to a woman. Every woman creates her own ecosystem that makes life comfortable for the people and all living creatures that she takes charge of. Aranyani as a brand is an ode to that woman, and when people buy the Aranyani bag, they are buying sophisticated craftsmanship, they are buying a rich cultural legacy, and they are buying to creating positive impact.
HARESH M MIRPURI
FOUNDER
WHY POSITIVE LUXURY
We recognize the importance of authenticity and transparency, especially for the younger generation. The certification provides a genuine and transparent symbol of our commitment to sustainability that will build trust and confidence in our brand, encouraging customers to choose products that align with their values. The program's framework and latest tools will aid compliance with the latest legislation and norms and establish clear and defined processes that link seamlessly our internal scaling efforts with external storytelling. Most importantly, the interaction with like-minded luxury brands and users on a similar journey will aid both learning & collaboration to create more impactful journeys.
PATHWAY TO HIGHER STANDARDS
The new atelier/Bangalore office, set to launch in early 2024, will be a Net Zero development, incorporating solar panels, rainwater harvesting, water recycling, and waste management practices. The store has also been meticulously designed with a rich palette of locally sourced materials. High-quality, durable handbags are being crafted to encourage responsible consumption. The brand avoids plastic entirely, even in packaging, and is looking to improve material use through efficient techniques to minimise waste. The brand is focusing on promoting local hiring, upskilling, preserving traditional craftsmanship, and diversifying the workforce. Employees are actively engaged in impact activities across local communities.