Korvai Apparel was born in 2022 at Korvai House in Palarivattom — the same
address where Celia Palathinkal had been curating and designing sarees since
2019. The apparel line was never a departure. It was the natural extension
of a practice already built around cloth, intention, and making things properly.
Everything designed here is made here. Not manufactured at scale, not outsourced
to keep costs down. Designed in Kochi, cut in Kochi, finished in Kochi — then
worn wherever the customer takes it.
Where it began
Sarees first. Then everything else.
Korvai India started in 2019 with Banarasi brocade sarees — pieces sourced
with care, sold to women who understood what they were buying. Over time, the
label grew into embroidered sarees designed and made in-house, and Kanjivaram silk.
The apparel line came from a simple question: what does the Korvai customer
wear on the days she is not in a saree? The answer became Korvai Apparel —
clothing that carries the same regard for cloth and making, without the formality
of occasion.
The two lines share a studio, a founder, and a point of view. They do not share
a register. The sarees are ceremonial. The apparel is for living in.
The making
Woven elsewhere. Made here.
Every Korvai Apparel piece begins with sourcing — handloom fabric chosen for its
hand, weight, and how it takes light. Cotton from Tamil Nadu. Linen from Andhra.
Silk and silk-cotton blends from weavers across India, selected piece by piece.
The cloth arrives at Korvai House. From there — pattern, cut, construction,
finishing — every step happens in-house. No production line. No minimum order
quantities driving the design. Each piece made in the quantity it should be made in.
01
Sourcing
Handloom fabric selected from weavers across India
02
Design & pattern
Developed in-house at Korvai House, Kochi
03
Cut & construction
Each piece cut and assembled by hand
04
Finishing
Pressed, checked, and prepared for wear
Celia Palathinkal
Founder & Lead Designer — Korvai
"
I wanted to make clothing I would actually wear — and that the women around me
would wear. Not because it was easy or comfortable in a neutral sense, but because
it was worth putting on. Cloth you feel while you're wearing it.
— Celia Palathinkal, Founder
Celia founded Korvai India in Kochi in 2019, beginning with a curated selection
of Banarasi brocade sarees. The practice grew steadily — into embroidered sarees
designed in-house, into Kanjivaram silk, and eventually into the apparel line
launched in 2022.
The jewellery came later — brass gold plated pieces designed by Celia as
complements to the apparel, not accessories in the conventional sense. Each
collection is small, considered, and made to be kept.
Korvai House in Palarivattom is open daily. Celia is usually there.
Care guide
Looking after your pieces
Cold hand wash, separately, for the first three washes
Mild detergent — avoid bleach or enzyme-based detergents
Do not wring; fold gently and press out water
Dry flat or hang in shade — avoid direct sun
Warm iron on reverse while slightly damp
Do not dry clean
Cold hand wash only — silk weakens in warm water
Use a dedicated silk wash or very mild soap
Do not soak for more than 5 minutes
Rinse thoroughly; do not wring
Roll in a clean towel to remove excess water
Dry flat in shade; do not hang — silk stretches when wet
Cool iron on reverse, or steam lightly
Wipe with a soft, dry cloth after each wear
Avoid contact with water, perfume, and oils
Remove before bathing, swimming, or exercise
Store in the pouch provided — keep away from humidity
Do not use chemical jewellery cleaners
The gold plating will age with wear — this is natural
Handloom fabric carries natural variation in weave texture, thread density,
and colour tone. No two pieces are identical. Slight irregularities in the
weave — a faint line, a shift in texture — are marks of the handloom process.
They are not defects.
If you are unsure about a piece before purchase, WhatsApp us and we will
share detailed images of the specific piece being held for you.
Korvai India — Handcrafted Sarees
Also by Korvai
The other side of the same house.
Korvai India is where it began — handcrafted sarees, designed and curated by
Celia from Korvai House in Palarivattom. Banarasi brocade, embroidered silks,
Kanjivaram. The ceremonial counterpart to everything on this site.
Both lines. One address.