Here Comes the Sun

Traveling the globe and perusing the atmospheric markets of India and Morocco might be a dream come true for some. For ERIKA TUCKER, this process was merely part of her job as the fashion marketing manager for Cotton Inc. She saw firsthand how textiles preserve cultural heritage and the way the ancient process of block printing is a vessel for community and female-led expression.

Now, she’s bringing that to the Wilmington market with her sustainably sourced pajama and textile company, Sundara.

“The Sundara journey began with my fascination for textiles, colors, and textures. This passion led me to explore countries like India and Morocco, where I met women artisans in their homes and studios,” Tucker says. “I fell in love with the process of block printing. I was so inspired by the women and at that point, I decided I wanted to collaborate with women to design pajamas in India using the block printing technique.”

The company name, Sundara, is inspired by the Sanskrit word for beautiful.

Tucker’s idea was born long before its inception, yet the past sixteen years have been dedicated to her initial venture, Pajama Jams, which today has provided over 25,000 pairs of pajamas to children in need.

“It (Pajama Jams) all began one Christmas Eve when my children were allowed to open one gift early, and they complained that it was pajamas and not a toy or game,” she says. “This led us to venture out into the community and start collecting pajamas for kids who might otherwise go without. This experience made me realize the profound impact something as simple as a pair of pajamas can have on a child’s life, providing them with warmth, comfort, and a sense of belonging.

“From that moment on, pajamas became a symbol of hope and compassion, motivating me to continue our efforts with Pajama Jams and extend our mission through Sundara, our socially conscious pajama brand,” Tucker adds.

During that time, Tucker (shown right) fueled her passion for creating positive change. As Sundara prepares to officially launch in the spring, she’ll carry that mission with her while continually evolving to meet the needs and demands of her community.

With Sundara, the incorporation of vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and high-quality fabrics – such as cotton voile – aim to celebrate the richness of cultural diversity and ethical practices within the fashion industry.

Tucker was first drawn to the art of block printing during her travels conducting trend and color research with a focus on promoting the use of cotton fabrics.

“My trips to India not only involved exploring the country but also conducting extensive research and building connections with local artisans,” she says. “I attended block printing workshops and engaged with vendors to understand the printing process and garment production.”

Block printing is one of the earliest and slowest methods of textile printing and has been used in India since at least the 12th century, with origins tied to the Rajasthan desert region. Impeccably, it is one of the few methods of textile design that is still done without any mechanization.

The craftsmanship and art of dyeing and creating patterns are learned and passed down through generations; India in particular is known for its natural dyes.

In a world propelled by fast fashion and consumerism, both block printing and Sundara ask one to slow down and reflect on ancient craft and tradition while prioritizing women artisans and makers.

“By collaborating with women artists in India to create our block-print pajamas, we empower them to preserve their craft and provide for their families,” Tucker says. “Both my mother and grandmother were seamstresses. It all connects to how women use their hands to provide for their families, how women are at the beginning of everything. When I went to India, some of these women were in difficult situations. Now, they’ve been able to empower themselves and provide for themselves and their children.”

This spring, Sundara will be available online and at select Wilmington retailers. Alongside the pajama collection, Tucker plans to introduce bedding, quilts, duvets, and shams, all designed with the same attention to detail.

An eventual Sundara kids pajama collection is also in the works. Yet for Tucker, her focus still resides on how to generate the most impact, eventually, she hopes to incorporate a “buy a pair, share a pair,” purchase model to Sundara.

For updates on Sundara’s launch, follow on Instagram @sundaratextiles.

To view more of photographer and stylists Drewe & Kate’s work, go to dreweandkate.com

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