I started Kaasida to honor the slow craft of Chikankari, an intricate form of hand embroidery from India. Our handcrafted clothing carries the quiet power of Indian craftsmanship. Every piece is a tribute to the artisans who made it and the women who wear it with intention. We make things slowly, thoughtfully, and with soul.
Toward the end of 2024, a new chapter began with the introduction of Mooshq - Kaasida's line of alcohol-free perfume oils rooted in India's ancient attar tradition. Fragrance has always been part of my life. It's memory made visible, emotion you can wear.
Attar (originally called Itr) is India's oldest form of perfume - an oil-based fragrance made using a centuries-old process. In Kannauj, India's perfume capital, artisans distill flowers and botanicals into sandalwood oil over days, creating scents that are intimate and long-lasting.
Unlike alcohol-based perfumes that project outward, attar is oil-based and intimate. It whispers rather than shouts. It invites you inward.
Attar is slow, labor-intensive, and made in small batches by artisans who've inherited this craft through generations. Just like the embroiderers we partner with, these perfumers pour their skill and soul into every drop.
Mooshq was created for those who value depth, quiet beauty, and intentional living. My hope is that every creation at Kaasida reminds you of who you are and lets you show up in the world as you wish to be seen.
With love,
Akanksha
Founder, Kaasida
I was born in Lucknow, India, where wearing attar is an act of self admiration and love. After moving to Australia in 2015, I felt a quiet pull to honour Indian craftsmanship.
With Kaasida's perfume oils, I share scents shaped by my childhood memories. Each blend reflects my culture, my roots and the ancient art of attar making.