Denhem is an Indian startup entry at the HULT Business Prize 2023. We are 4 final-year students at the National Law University, Jodhpur. We are among the 700 semi-finalists globally out of the 60,000 teams that participated in this competition. The theme for this year's competition is Sustainable Fashion and hence we have created Denhem - a sustainable fashion brand that's committed towards making a positive impact on people and the planet through hemp jeans.

THE HULT BUSINESS PRIZE

Hult Prize is an internationally acclaimed competition where university students develop their own social venture that tackles a different social theme each year. The Hult Prize 2023 challenge ‘Redesigning Fashion’ aims to combat issues in the fashion industry; which is widely known to cause environmental and sustainability problems. The United Nations officially sponsors this to support the development of the 2030 SDGs. 60,000 teams applied for the competition and 700 teams have reached the semi-final stage post which 20 will go forward. The winner of the global finals receives $1 million in capital funding to pursue their venture. 

THE BACKDROP

The textile industry generates 1.2 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions and 92 million tons of textile waste annually, out of which denim accounts for 3.3%. One pair of jeans results in the release of 33.4kg CO2 and takes approximately 7,000 litres of water. This affects countries like India - a leading global cotton producer, where it takes about 22,500 litres of water to produce just 1kg of cotton to make denim.

Additionally, during such production, about 280000 tons of textile dye is discharged into water bodies, causing harm to aquatic and human life. The problem is further aggravated by the proliferation of ‘fast fashion’, making consumers discard their jeans after only a few years. Their popularity is further decreasing in climate-conscious circles due to the problem of shedding microfibres during laundering.

DENHEM: OUR INITIATIVE

Our mission is to revolutionise the fashion industry by offering an environment-friendly alternative to traditional denim. We're passionate about sustainability and ethical practices, and we're proud to say that our hemp jeans are not only consumer-centric, but they also have a significantly smaller carbon footprint than traditional denim. We source only the highest quality materials and partner with like-minded organisations to ensure that our products are environmentally friendly and socially responsible.

At Denhem, we value authenticity, creativity, and inclusivity. We strive to create a community that promotes sustainable living. Our playful yet elegant aesthetic is designed to inspire and empower, encouraging our customers to make a positive impact on the world while looking and feeling their best.

EACH PAIR OF JEANS COST INR 2699.

Once you place your order, a member from our team will get in touch with you regarding your size preference.

MEN'S DENHEM

Available colour: Yale blue

Sizes: 22 to 50

Fit: Straight cut with front pocket

WOMEN'S DENHEM

Available colours: Space blue

Sizes: 22 to 50

Fit: Flared fit with side slit

Hemp is the perfect alternative to cotton as it requires 3 times less water, negligible pesticides and herbicides to grow, and even absorbs high amounts of carbon dioxide, thus having a very low carbon footprint as compared to other natural fibers. As a fabric, it has superior durability, moisture absorbency, thermal insulation, and UV resistance. It’s even found to be more heat resistant, anti-bacterial, and showing high-absorbability of toxic gasses. The jeans made from hemp, become softer and more lustrous through laundering and therefore become more comfortable with time, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

We aim to generate 50 pre-orders and dispatch them in 40 days. Every order would help us reach our goal to not only reach the global finale for the HULT Business Prize but also create an impact on the planet. Moreover, we assure you that our jeans would change the entire consumer experience and perception of jeans as it caters to all pain points such as comfort, durability, stretchability as well as aerability. 

Initially, we offer two products for both men and women for all sizes ranging from XXXS to XXXXL. The first product is the Denhem tapered fit and the second one is the Denhem straight cut. We offer it in two different colours /designs as shown below.

SUPPORT