A note from Harjas Singh, Co-founder & CEO, Reistor
Hemp has always been here. One of the oldest cultivated plants in the world, it built civilizations, giving us rope, medicine, food, and fabric for thousands of years. And yet, somewhere along the way, we turned our backs on it, pushing it into the margins of history.
At Reistor, we couldn’t ignore that. Why was this incredible, versatile, planet-friendly plant missing from mainstream fashion? Why were we still clinging to resource-hungry fabrics when hemp had every answer we were looking for? That question wasn’t just a thought; it became the spark that lit our journey.
A Chance Encounter in the Himalayas
It was 2019, and I was nearly two decades into the textile business: prints, weaves, fibers, fabrics. You name it, I’d worked with it. My family has been in textiles for over 70 years, so I thought there weren’t many surprises left for me in this industry.
And then came hemp.
On a spontaneous trip to the foothills of the Himalayas, I saw it for the first time; not in a lab or a factory, but in its wild, natural form. Row after row of vibrant green plants, growing without human interference. No pesticides. No excessive irrigation. No pampering. Just pure resilience.
The locals told me they had been using hemp for generations: for ropes, clothing, even medicine. They spoke about it the way you’d speak about an old friend you could always count on.
That moment was a turning point. I started reading, researching, and asking questions. I learned that hemp used far less water than cotton, was naturally pest-resistant, and produced incredibly strong fiber. It was like finding a treasure that had been hidden in plain sight.
Turning Hemp into Wearable Magic
Excited, I dove in headfirst. But there was a catch. Raw hemp fiber is, let’s just say, not exactly the cozy sweater you want to curl up in. It’s coarse, rigid, and not something you’d want brushing against your skin all day.
If we wanted people to fall in love with hemp, we had to make it wearable without losing its natural strengths. That journey was anything but simple. There were countless trials, long nights, and moments when we were on the verge of giving up. But we’ve always believed the hardest challenges bring the most meaningful results, so we kept going, pouring our heart and soul into the process.
And then there was the dyeing problem. Hemp doesn’t take color the way other fabrics do. Every batch came out with its own quirks, a shade lighter here, a tone deeper there. Instead of seeing this as a flaw, we embraced it as part of hemp’s unique character, a reminder that nature always has the final say.
Nine months later, we finally had it! A fabric that was soft, durable, breathable, and carried the subtle texture that made hemp unique. Through calendering, bio-enzyme treatments, and fine-tuned finishing processes, we had transformed this ancient fiber into something luxurious yet grounded in its sustainable roots.
The First Hemp Collection
Launching our first hemp collection felt like sending a love letter to the planet. We weren’t just selling clothes, we were introducing people to a material that had been misunderstood for far too long.
The response? Incredible. Everyone shoppers loved it. They noticed how breathable the fabric felt, how each piece carried its own natural texture, and how light it was on the skin. They loved knowing their clothes had a smaller environmental footprint.
What started as a curious experiment became part of our core substance, and also our ethos. Hemp was no longer just another option in our fabric library. It was part of who we were as a brand.
Growing Beyond Hemp
Four years later, Reistor has evolved in ways we couldn’t have imagined. Our design philosophy has stayed the same, create with intention, produce mindfully, but our fabric range has expanded.
Today, we work with a few different sustainable materials: 100% organic cotton, linen, Bemberg™, Tencel™, eco-friendly modal, and of course, hemp. Each has its own charm, but hemp remains our sentimental favorite.
Every hemp piece we produce is a reminder of those early challenges and victories. It’s proof that sustainability can be stylish, comfortable, and accessible.
Why We Still Love Hemp (And Think You Will Too)
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Soft & breathable – Thanks to our blending and finishing process, hemp feels just as good as it looks.
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Planet-friendly – It grows quickly, uses minimal water, and thrives without pesticides.
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Durable & resilient – Hemp clothing lasts longer, meaning you buy less and waste less.
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Season-versatile – Keeps you cool in summer, warm in winter.
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Biodegradable – At the end of its life, it returns to the earth without leaving behind harmful waste.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
If you’d told me years ago that a spur-of-the-moment trip to the Himalayas would reshape my life’s work, I might’ve laughed. But curiosity has a way of rewriting your story.
For me, hemp wasn’t just the beginning of a new product line, it was the start of a movement. A reminder that fashion doesn’t have to be wasteful; and that wearing stylish clothing and doing good can go hand in hand.
At Reistor, our mission is simple: make sustainable fashion that doesn’t feel like a compromise. We want you to love the way you look, feel confident in what you wear, while leaving behind as little environmental footprint as possible.
So, if you’ve never tried hemp before, maybe now’s the time. Whether it’s a breezy summer dress, a sharp button-down, or a versatile jumpsuit, our hemp pieces are made to be lived in, season after season, story after story.
After all, this isn’t just fabric. It’s history you can wear, a planet you can protect, and a small but powerful step toward a more sustainable future.
