Otherwise is a clothing brand from Lisbon devoted to the art of slow, conscious production. One of the founders spent two years in India and developed a deep appreciation there for traditional craft and the skills of local artisans. Those experiences still shape the Otherwise collections today.

The garments are hand-printed, woven, spun or dyed with great care – using centuries-old techniques such as block printing, ikat, shibori or jamdani. Every piece tells a story and brings cultural heritage together with modern design – made to be worn with pride.

Philosophy & values

Exclusivity

Otherwise works exclusively in limited small batches, a clear statement against mass production. Every piece is cut by hand, and all fabrics and materials are chosen personally by the founder. The result is genuine uniqueness – no two pieces are exactly alike.

Traditional craftsmanship

The fabrics are made in close collaboration with experienced artisans who master traditional techniques and craft every material by hand with great precision. This slowed-down production process takes time and dedication – on average it takes around 30 to 60 days to weave enough fabric for just 30 shirts. Otherwise stands for honest handwork, high-quality materials and timeless design – a brand that rethinks fashion consciously and with respect for people and the environment.

Sustainability

Sustainability is a central pillar of the Otherwise philosophy. All processes are continually developed to use fewer resources and be kinder to the environment. Otherwise makes its garments exclusively from natural and organic materials and consistently avoids synthetics such as polyester, acrylic or nylon. Fabric offcuts from earlier collections are carefully kept and reused for jacket linings or bags – so as little waste as possible is created. Even the details stay natural: the buttons, for example, are made from organic coconut shell.

Transparency

Otherwise keeps an open and transparent dialogue with suppliers and customers. The work with the small, carefully chosen team in India is built on fair trade principles – everyone involved is valued and paid fairly.

The brand follows the idea of an honest price that reflects the work of everyone along the supply chain. That is why Otherwise deliberately does without discounts or sales on new collections – because fair fashion is worth its price, right from the start.

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