Our story

Jiwya (G-V-YUH) - derived from Sanskrit for ‘Jeev’, which means caring for each life, soul, spirit on this planet. It stands for respecting every life through the soil-to-soil life cycle of our 100% plant-powered creations.

In 2022, two textile scientists quit their lucrative jobs in the US, and set on a journey to clean up the fashion space.

There began a tale of travelling across continents, and then countries. 19,000 km, 200+ cities, and hundreds of traditional heritage arts across India later, Jiwya was born.

We believe in the power of regenerative material and the magic of the human hand. So we have created an entire fashion supply chain that’s 100% plant-based. Not a single drop of synthetic dyes, not an ounce of plastic or animal products. Our products come from the soil, and go back to the soil completely.

We source our raw materials from 150+ artisan clusters across the country, and then create our heritage designs moulded to global styles in-house.

We are weaving the future of fashion where:

Fashion doesn’t come at the expense of our planet, people or animals

Rich Indian artisanal heritage is in the spotlight

Experiences, stories & timeless fashion are cherished, to buy better

That’s Jiwya – plant-based, handcrafted, luxury fashion that’s good for people, planet and animals.

The Jiwya Way

Here’s our complete production process, because you have an undeniable right to know what goes next to your skin.

Jiwya's Soil-to-Soil Ecosystem

Our yarns, colours and designs are 100% plant-based. They come from and return to the soil, following a bio-circular fashion economy.

We upcycle every scrap from our garment production into embellishments, accessories and fixtures.

Our chemistry-backed processes use only plants to derive soothing shades that use 1/10th the water compared to conventional textile processes. The used water, then, feeds our garden soil.

We believe in the power of human hands and their intimate connection to soil. Our products are handmade and as a base practice, we pay a dignified wage, which is about 17-20% higher than industry standards.

Re:Jiwya

We take responsibility for our creations throughout their lifetime. But, if you decide to part ways with it, we make sure to minimise our carbon footprint.

With the Re:Jiwya program, you have a lifetime subscription to:

Repair –connect with our team for helping you keep your Jiwya piece loved and in use;

Reintroduce – send the used piece back to us for a store credit, instead of throwing it away. We responsibly upcycle or compost it.

Revamp - change the look of your Jiwya piece, for free or at a fraction of the cost.

Plant-based fashion is the future. Wear your values, we sew ours in.

Respect every hand involved

150+ generational Indian textile artisan clusters are part of our family. Each Jiwya piece carries with it a story of rich heritage and handmade artistry. The heirloom pieces on our website are made with fabrics that are ethically sourced with a transparent and easily traceable supply chain.

These artisans store generational knowledge that Jiwya is reviving in native forms. At Jiwya, we aim to uplift these artisans while showcasing the intricacy of their art on a global stage.

Know the award-winning artisans behind the raw materials of Jiwya, celebrate them & bring traditional arts to the limelight.

Visit Our Shop

Meet the Founders

Aishwarya is a textile scientist, a second-time founder, and first-gen entrepreneur with more than a decade of experience in the textile space. She is an alumna of Cornell University and Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai. She aims to fuel a sustainability revolution in the fashion space with Jiwya. At Jiwya, she leads production and design, and is the techno-creative force behind the team. Her love for nuances of Indian textile arts have become an integral part of every Jiwya design.

Aishwarya Lahariya Co-Founder & Designer

Adhiraj Shinde is a textile scientist on a mission to disrupt the global fashion industry through Jiwya. He is an alumnus of North Carolina State University and Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai. Adhiraj is passionate about streamlining the techno-commercial aspects of the startup and exploring avenues for outreach and collaboration. At Jiwya, he leads finance and operations, and keeps the proverbial charkha spinning. He is also the primary people person to our network of 150+ artisan clusters.

Adhiraj Shinde Co-Founder

What are you really paying for?

We have always said that sustainable fashion is not expensive, it’s costly — because every single cost of making the piece is fairly paid.

Here’s a breakdown of the price you’re paying at Jiwya:

Considering a $100 Shirt	Jiwya	Fast Fashion Brands*	Luxury Fashion Brands*
Materials & Labour	$30	$10	$8
Logistics	$9	$1	$1
Taxes	$12	$12	$1
Company cost	$49	$77	$90

Materials: This includes ethically sourced, 100% plant-based materials, including fibers, yarns, fabrics handspun and hand-woven by artisans, plant-based dyes, and plnat-based materials for embellishments and accessories.

Labour: This includes the dignified living wages for every hand that works on creating the magic of the Jiwya apparel from the fabrics.

Logistics: This is the average cost of transporting all raw materials and your Jiwya heirloom piece to you, packaged in bio-degradable material.

Taxes: This is the direct taxes that are charged by governments (domestic and international), based on the international treaties and laws.

Company Cost: Finally, this is the cost of running the business, including salaries to in-house employees, consultants, vendors, rent, utility, bills and every other daily expenditure of running the company.