Our Story

Raas is a design-led, artisanal handloom clothing and textile brand that began its journey in 2014 with humble roots and a deep commitment to crafting exclusive and timeless pieces, steeped in rich craftsmanship, emanating elegance and authenticity, while supporting and empowering its community of weavers and artisans.

Raas was born from founder Rashmi Mohapatra’s deep passion and reverence for this legacy, in collaboration with internationally acclaimed designer Pritam Panda. Recently, Ritika Mohapatra, the founder’s daughter, has joined the team as a partner, bringing with her nearly a decade of experience in Business Consulting at an international firm.

Rooted in the timeless heritage of Odisha handloom, Raas is a heartfelt tribute to the region’s artistry and craftsmanship. It is a conscious endeavour to celebrate and elevate the work of our weavers through thoughtfully curated and exclusive designs. Every piece is lovingly handwoven and handcrafted by our local Indian artisans who represent a lineage of creators, bringing their expertise to our innovative and distinctive designs that seamlessly blend the ethnic with the contemporary. The weavers’ meticulous attention to detail and unwavering dedication result in truly unique pieces that celebrate both the purity of craft and the evolving spirit of Indian design.

Meet the Founder

"Every collection of Raas is handmade with utmost love & care".

What began as a lifelong love for handwoven textiles grew into Raas in 2014 - a journey led by founder Rashmi Mohapatra to celebrate Odisha's rich weaving heritage through a contemporary lens. She could identify a visible gap in the design and creative elements within the Odisha handloom space. Most of the handloom creations have followed a typical set of design styles over decades. Inspired by the extraordinary skill of master artisans, Rashmi wanted to contemporise handloom designs embracing modern trends and patterns.

Started in 2014, within a short period of time, Raas carved a niche for itself and became one of the choicest brands among handloom lovers. Over the years, Raas has become synonymous with authenticity, craftsmanship, and conscious luxury, bringing the beauty of handcrafted Indian textiles to patrons across Odisha, India and around the world.

Rashmi Mohapatra
Founder – RAAS

Man in a patterned coat standing in front of a fountain

Internationally acclaimed fashion designer Pritam Panda has played an integral role in shaping Raas's design language. His work seamlessly blends contemporary aesthetics with India's rich textile heritage, bringing a refined and modern perspective to traditional handwoven crafts.

From his hometown of Balasore, Odisha, to showcasing collections at Harrods, London, Pritam's journey has earned him international recognition. He has dressed leading Bollywood personalities and international models, and was honoured with the 12th Murex Global Fashion Award in Italy, becoming the first Indian recipient of this prestigious accolade.

His collaboration with Raas reflects a shared vision, which is to celebrate the artistry of Odisha's handwoven textiles through timeless design, thoughtful craftsmanship, and contemporary silhouettes.

Meet the team

“Design-led reimagined handloom represents the truest expression of modern luxury - handwoven, sustainable, timeless and deeply rooted in human craftsmanship."

After spending nine years in business consulting at an international firm, Ritika Mohapatra recently joined Raas to help shape its next chapter. Through her travels, education and exposure to diverse cultures, she developed a deep appreciation for how the world's most respected brands draw strength from their own heritage and cultural identity. She believes Raas and the work that we do with Ikat deserves a place on the global stage for its distinctive design philosophy, extraordinary artistry, intricate craftsmanship, remarkable versatility and the exceptional skill of the weavers who bring it all to life.

At Raas, Ritika's role lies at the intersection of design, brand and strategy. She works to reinterpret Odisha Ikat through a global and contempary expression, along with thoughtful storytelling, while remaining deeply rooted in its heritage and craftsmanship.