Geeta Handa is a sustainable fashion designer and LittlePod friend, with dual bases in London and India. We first met in 2023 during a memorable weekend with Manju Malhi here in East Devon and, when it came to finding someone to create the reusable pouches for our new handmade soap bars, there was no-one better for the assignment. Keen to showcase our collaboration and introduce Geeta, we sat down for a chat after launching our latest product this week. These are her words:

I first visited LittlePod HQ last summer. It was such an enriching experience. I came with Manju (pictured below), who is also a friend of Janet. Manju and I became friends a few years ago when I was acting in a short Government-funded film about health and we met on the set. We hit it off immediately, soon became good friends and have always been supportive of each other’s work. When Manju asked me if I’d like to join her in East Devon, meet Janet and learn all about LittlePod, I agreed straight away.

It was such a pleasure to meet Janet and to be introduced to LittlePod and the company’s Campaign for Real Vanilla. I was so impressed to hear that LittlePod had won the King’s Award for Enterprise (Sustainable Development). I could see the immense work and dedication that has been put into developing the products and building the brand. It felt like a meeting of minds. LittlePod’s philosophy – focusing on sustainability and keeping it real, whilst developing a quality, luxury product that is also affordable – struck quite a chord. Janet is an amazing lady, and I could listen to her spiritual wisdom for hours.

I have a conscious and slow fashion brand called Geeta Handa London. I design vintage-inspired clothing using natural and organic materials. Sometimes I use surplus synthetic material in my signature style of regal, retro, punk and haute boheme. As an artist, I’m the face of the brand and I accidentally fell into promoting my designs by styling them on myself, which ended up helping to sell them. This has proved to be invaluable for body positivity and confidence, as clients of all shapes, sizes and nationalities see me as a relatable person who has overcome insecurities. I’ve collaborated with various people and on a number of initiatives linked to empowering women through my work. I describe the brand as ‘unsuperficial fashion’ and often talk about keeping it real. I have a lot in common with LittlePod.

It has been such a pleasure to collaborate with LittlePod and to help create this special new product. Each bag was carefully handcrafted using the sewing machines at my workshop. I kept the design clean and minimalistic, which gives a lovely backdrop for the LittlePod logo. They’re like wise guru pouches that are designed to be reused as storage bags, lasting beyond the life of the soap itself. The fabric – a premium mix of hemp and bamboo – has many environmental benefits. Both the hemp and the bamboo plant are organically cultivated, carbon negative and use less water than other fibres. The bags are also bio-degradable and have anti-bacterial properties. Each bead was added by hand. These were made from the tulsi plant, which helps to purify the mind, body and spirit to emit positive energy.

Having put so much focus on the bags, I’m looking forward to using the soap now. This has been the perfect collaboration and one that has been so rewarding. LittlePod is a conscious company that is helping the environment and supporting the livelihoods of the vanilla farmers and their communities in the world’s Equatorial regions. I love that LittlePod is able to combine its sustainable approach and holistic appeal, using these beneficial natural ingredients. This ties into my work as a sustainable fashion designer, using materials such as hemp and bamboo. I think this is why we work so well together and explains why we’re such a good fit.

Putting sustainable fashion to one side, I consider myself a curious foodie with a palate for various cuisines. I must admit that I didn’t know a lot about vanilla – until I visited LittlePod. I’m a convert now having heard about vanilla’s various health benefits from such a connoisseur as Janet! It’s delicious too and I’ve been adding vanilla to my morning coffee and the scones that I learnt to make in the LittlePod kitchen. I’ve also taken it to India, where I’ve been using it to make a strawberry and mango lassi. The vanilla gives it an exquisite taste and makes such a difference. Food is like fashion. You have to keep it REAL!

Like to learn more about Geeta and her work? Follow her on Instagram.