Asha Eleven

Asha Eleven is a Cape Town-based fashion and lifestyle brand with a broad offering, from beautifully made basics to one-offs made from vintage upcycled fabrics. The label combines its signature custom-designed prints with timeless silhouettes, resulting in high-quality pieces made to last a lifetime. Asha Eleven only uses biodegradable materials and prints with OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified inks. With a strict zero-plastic policy, carbon offsetting initiatives, and closed-loop production systems, the brand integrates sustainability across every layer of its work, from textile choices to packaging, distribution and marketing.

Features

Resources and materials

Primary fabric is ECOVERO™, which is made from renewable wood sources and is 100% biodegradable
Core collection fabric includes: Hemp and organic cotton jersey for T-shirts and turtlenecks, a Tencel-linen blend for trousers, and 100% Tencel for blouses
All digital printing is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified
Cotton is BCI-certified
Downcycled production waste is turned into insulation used in winter jackets
Additional natural fibres include hand-sourced vintage Kantha cloth and Suzani textiles, repurposed into one-of-a-kind garments

Making and manufacturing

All garments are hand-cut to reduce fabric waste
Focus on zero waste: excess fabric is upcycled or downcycled into new products
Has long-standing partnerships with production partners, including mentorship and financial support
All production is by small-scale makers with positive company culture, fair working conditions, and attention to worker wellbeing

Social and cultural

Launched ‘Loved Again’, a resale platform to extend garment lifecycles
Educates consumers on slow fashion through storytelling and marketing
Participates in reforestation by planting food-producing trees in Kenya in partnership with Longonot Horticulture
Follows a “trade not aid” model, working directly with artisan communities to generate income through paid collaborations that showcase their craft
Collaborates with social groups for limited-edition items—e.g., accessories or homeware—providing both visibility and income to underrepresented makers
Openly shares details of its materials, supply chain, and manufacturing processes

Product and design

Custom sizing available on request
Garments are built to last: high-quality fabrics, French seams, and pre-shrunk textiles
Complimentary tailoring and repair services to support garment longevity
All off-cuts are upcycled into long-lasting, practical items

Packaging and distribution

Packaging is fully biodegradable and plastic-free
Wholesale orders use bio-plastic bags, which are plant-based and biodegradable
Studio and online orders use recycled, recyclable, biodegradable and reusable packaging
Offsets carbon emissions through Greenpop SA