Tribune : Sustainable manufacturing and our values

The origins of Bhangara

A trek in Nepal

A trek in Nepal

On the one hand, Laura. Originally from Asturias, a mountainous region in the north of Spain, and and keen on hiking and botany. Sensitive to ecology since childhood, she specialises in Plant Ecophysiology and conducted research on the adaptation of forage plants to climate change. It was in 2017, during a trek in the Himalayas with Hugo, where she discovered Nepalese hemp. Used to seeking the answer to environmental problems in the plant kingdom, she was instantly drawn to the range of advantages of this ancestral, robust and artisanal fibre.

On the other, Hugo. A seasoned player in business undertaking, he saw in hemp fiber, combined with the ancestral know-how of the Nepalese, an outstanding opportunity. And it was the potentiality of highlighting this country, and more particularly, this people with the biggest heart, which made him fall in love with this region of the globe. Entrepreneur not afraid of risk, he decides to associate his resources and his experience of entrepreneurship with this project in order to give back to Nepal, and to all the local actors of this project, all the love they deserve.

Maybe it was the roller coaster of emotions after walking for weeks with a backpack as the only company, or the euphoria of going back to the city. The truth is that this trip marked a before/after. The decision was taken to first, make these lovely fabrics known in France, and second, to give back its due attention to this plant, so unjustly ignored and with such ecological potential. "Bhangara", the word for "hemp fabric" in Nepalese, was born.

This trip marked a before/after.

The decision was taken to give back its due attention to this plant, so unjustly ignored and with such ecological potential.

It was then that the creation of bags and accessories in 100% natural hemp began. The goal? Encourage the know-how of rural communities in Nepal, and exclusively support small factories with proven social impact.

An ecological and healthy farming ... for all

An ecological and healthy farming ... for all

Zero pollution manufacturing: No tractor tillage. No pesticides. Natural watering thanks to the monsoon. Hemp fiber containing no harmful chemicals, guaranteeing your health and that of the farmers who produce it. The soil of this unique environment, the Himalayas, is also ecologically-preserved.

Hemp, sustainable AND biodegradable?

Hemp, sustainable AND biodegradable?

Strange, but nevertheless true. Hemp does not shrink or fade easily. Nor is it attacked by bacteria, fungi or rodents. But that doesn't prevent it from being recyclable and biodegradable at the end of its life. Have we found the perfect ecological textile? We believe we are very close to it.

Hemp possesses antibacterial and antifungal properties,

which explains its use in the ropes and sails of ships of yesteryear.
Originality and design

Originality and design

Practical accessories designed for everyday use. Sleek, easy to wear designs or truly original, to stand out from the crowd. Key features: comfortable items, a quality finish and the unique texture of hemp. Finally, special attention to zippers and all seams subject to tension, for unbeatable durability.

Producing better to consume better

Producing better to consume better

The questionable quality of classic textiles and clothing drives us forward to buy new clothes all the time. Then, the release of new collections every two weeks lead us to succumb to the temptation of frenzied buying. At Bhangara, we offer you new models every year, and make sure we do things right. Buy when you need it. For our part, we make sure that our items follow you as long as possible.

Ethical and fair manufacturing

The working conditions of workers in the Southeast Asian textile industry are quite often in the headlines. Managing all of our production has been a long road and we still have a long way to go. Still, we're already quite proud of our workshops.

Stop wasting ressources

Stop wasting ressources

Sometimes our seamstresses are wrong. A slightly crooked label, the wrong color fabric…

All our products go through two quality controls: one in the workshop and the other upon arrival at our warehouse. If one of our backpacks or bags does not meet our quality standards and the tare or defect does not affect the functionality of the product, what we do is post them here.

We could throw them away and sell only the good ones to charge you full price. But we prefer to sell them to you with a discount to belittling and destroying a product with an almost almost flawless finish.

Small causes, big consequences

Small causes, big consequences

You have chosen to buy a Bhangara bag, and you may not be aware that you have done something exceptional. Yet, because you chose a bag made of natural fibers, a synthetic bag was not sold. You have contributed to curb the dizzying increase of polyester production, which accounts for 70% of the chemical fibers used in the manufacture of clothing. To begin with, our textiles are not synthetic fibers made from petroleum. As a result of your choice, a river in Asia received less wastewater and no greenhouse gases were emitted. It’s a grain of sand, but it’s yours.

Your Bhangara bag won't end up in the sea ... or your stomach

Your Bhangara bag won't end up in the sea ... or your stomach

The accumulation of plastic detritus in the ocean has become eerily known by the shocking view of the North Pacific Garbage Vortex, also known as the "7th continent". Less frightening, because it's invisible, is the pollution due to the micro-particles released by the washing of synthetic clothes. However, at 500 kg per year, it can't be negligible. On the contrary, it seems that people are unwittingly starting to eat them.

A long lasting bag, but not eternal

A long lasting bag, but not eternal

A plastic bag requires 400 years of decomposition time. We hope you have a great relationship with your bag, but if you ever throw it out in the wild, its textile fibers (95% of its composition) won't last more than 4 years.

Recycled, customized and reusable packaging

Recycled, customized and reusable packaging

We worked with a French company to design packaging made from recycled cellulose, all packages adapt to each of our products in order to minimize the weight and volume during transport. We don't use any plastic bubbles. Tissue paper, also recycled, protects each item. Finally, you can reuse our shipping box thanks to its second adhesive.

Textiles that respect animals: PETA Vegan certification

Textiles that respect animals: PETA Vegan certification

Some people believe that being vegan is limited to not using wool or leather. However, veganism is also concerned about certain less "visible" products in which materials of animal origin are used, such as dyes, glues or buttons. This is what the members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) verified when we took the step of having BHANGARA certified.

No relocation

No relocation

Textile manufacturing is often outsourced in order to reduce the cost of production. At the same time, working conditions are difficult to control. In the case of BHANGARA, our identity stems from the uniqueness of Nepalese hand-spun and woven hemp. We simply could not exist without Nepal.

The plane, for lack of better

The plane, for lack of better

Let's be clear - yes, transporting our bags on airplanes generates pollution. However, Nepal does not have a seaport, nor a properly developed road or rail network (there are 59 km of railroads between the cities of Janakpur and Jaynagar but Kathmandu is not connected). As for now, this is the only way to promote this craft, which remains our ultimate goal: to help Nepalese hemp manufacturers improve their economic development through their unique know-how using renewable resources.

This country, its people and their culture

gives us strength in the face of obstacles and motivates us to move forward.
Nepal enthusiasts

Nepal enthusiasts

Developing a more humane and environmentally friendly manufacturing initiative is essential for us. But what gives us strength in the face of obstacles and motivates us to move forward is this country, its people and their culture. 

Sharing their simple way of life, getting to know their diversity each time a little more, letting us conquer their spicy dishes, losing our gaze in their wild landscapes... This professional exchange is for us the best chance we could have had to enjoy and make known this unique country.