Exotica Craft is a treasure trove of Delhi, India's most intricate patterned fabrics and textiles. Tracing its beginnings back to 2010, when it first began as a storefront on Queen and Bathurst called Om Mantra in Toronto. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the storefront to close, but what could have been the ending instead became a whole new chapter, pivoted to wholesale shows and summer markets across the city. Now, the couple stands in the middle of their first-ever vendor booth at Pride, replenished by an energy and city's support that reminds them why they started in the first place.
Exotica Craft may be a contender for the most colourful stall on the block with its displays of bohemian maxi dresses, flowy pants, and paisley print wrap-tops in nearly every colour of the rainbow; featuring striking accessories like tassels and eclectic embroidery. It's a mix of Westernized and Indo fusion cuts that are loose and playful for everyday wear, yet statement pieces all-in-one. For artists or anyone on the go, the booth also features hand-made, leather-imprinted notebooks, filled with pages of eco-friendly handmade cotton paper crafted from recycled fabric, and quilted tote bags.
For years, Pasi's own path ran separate from the business as a full-time nurse with her husband managing operations. Just three years ago, she stepped in to help her husband with day-to-day operations. Since then, she's made multiple annual trips back to Delhi, her hometown, to source fabric directly and oversee production alongside her husband. The pair work with Delhi's local tailors and artisans, choosing fabrics and deciding which sizes and styles are in demand before a single piece is stitched to order.
There seems to be one core product feature that customers keep coming back for: wrinkle-free fabric, a small but essential function in a product line designed for bohemian ease and comfort.
"That's the main thing, they want us to make it wrinkle-free, because basically it's our bohemian style. We really want them to come back and look for different wrinkle-free fabrics every year." Namida Pasi, Exotica Craft
Exotica Craft's signature styles and wrinkle-free comfort fabrics were already 80 per cent sold out from their Pride booth. Made from materials like cotton voile, khadi, bamboo blends and handwoven linen, crafted for Delhi's hot climates and definitely handy for Toronto's summer heat waves.
"This is my first year, and I definitely want to come back. I'm really excited about next year - I already have in mind what I'm going to bring." Namida Pasi, Exotica Craft
Exotica Craft has appeared at Do West Fest, St. Catharines Market Fair, and The Sunday Variety Market. Follow Exotica Craft's next summer market pop-ups on Instagram.
