The Origins of Vottera
—Vizan Giri
Father-daughter duo Vik and Vizan Giri launched Vottera in 2025, with a mission to cast a "Vote" for the "Earth" (Terra). The two are no newcomers to the sustainable apparel industry, having spearheaded the bag brand Terra Thread since 2017, crafting organic cotton accessories to replace the fossil-fuel-based synthetics all too common in the bag industry.
The transition to a clothing line, including tees, hoodies, and beanies, focuses on mitigating the environmental and social risks all too common in textile production through direct, on-the-ground relationships with the cotton farmers. The brand operates as an agricultural philosophy rather than a typical consumer company, prioritizing essential garments over trend cycles.
Structural Foundations
& Gallant International
Vottera’s operational viability is rooted in its parent organization, Gallant International. While navigating textile supply chains is often a barrier for sustainable brands, Gallant established an early precedent of direct, verifiable relationships with farmers and workers. This foundation provided Vottera with a simplified, transparent supply chain from its inception.
Unlike traditional fashion models that rely on untraceable networks of middlemen and subcontractors, Vottera benefits from direct investment at the source. The success of these regenerative programs relies on localized expertise, led by Dr. Amol Nirban and a dedicated team in India. Their work ensures that ethical standards are backed by equitable partnerships within farming communities.
Regenerative Organic
Certified Cotton
Vottera utilizes Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC) cotton. While standard organic practices minimize chemical inputs, regenerative agriculture actively rehabilitates soil health, restores biodiversity, and sequesters carbon. ROC operates under the nonprofit Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA), a body co-founded by the Rodale Institute, Dr. Bronner’s, and Patagonia to advance the highest standards for agricultural and social responsibility in the textile industry.
Vottera’s inaugural collection uses ROC cotton from the 2024 harvest in Odisha, India, grown by 432 Indigenous farmers. These growers are part of a broader initiative by Gallant, Terra Thread, and Vottera, encompassing over 1,250 ROC farmers across 3,400 acres. Guided by the philosophy to "live with the Earth and not on it," this transition stabilizes yields for farming communities while simultaneously rehabilitating their local ecosystems.
Traceability
& The Supply Chain
True sustainability requires looking beyond raw materials to the manufacturing processes. Vottera applies a “seed to stitch” model, tracing production from farm-level sourcing through finished garments. This coordinated approach links agricultural health, material processing, and ethical factory conditions within a single supply chain. By managing every step, the brand ensures that the integrity of the regenerative cotton is maintained from the soil to the final stitch.
Every garment is produced in Fair Trade Certified™ factories, guaranteeing safe conditions and equitable compensation. By consolidating sourcing and manufacturing within India, Vottera also limits the transportation emissions typical of conventional apparel production. Alongside farmers and factory workers, Vottera offers a socially sound alternative to extractive practices, aiming to fashion a better future one harvest at a time.