Philosophy
Nilaiyana
"means permanence, stability and an unshaken resilience"
These are the core qualities we inculcate in our team of women artisans from rural South India.
Through the medium of textile and apparel, we aim to create a chain of goodwill between creators and consumers.
At Nilaiyana Studios, we believe in creating an environment where women are constantly given the opportunity to grow and improve their craft.
The Problem
We are in the age of infinite knowledge exchange and infinite means to upskill ourselves. But is this a reality only for urban India? How does a woman in rural or peri-urban India go about upskilling herself to increase her earning capability? For example how does a maid educate herself and become an artisan without compromising her and her family's financial security?
Our Solution
At Nilaiyana Studios, we train women in the entire manufacturing process from hemming to pattern making. From merchandising to preparing a production plan. The apparel construction techniques we follow are of global standards. In addition, we provide training in sustainable production methods. We do this through two models:
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Earning while learning model- We produce a wide range of products that requires varied skill levels. This allows women to be part of the manufacturing process throughout their up- skilling journey and allows them to earn while they learn.
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Sister- trainer model- We have created an environment of peer to peer learning in which the women of Nilaiyana Studios teach each other. We believe that amateurs make the best teachers and are more empathetic to a students' journey than experts, leaving the experts with the task of tracking progress, assessing quality standards and introducing new techniques.
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Creating a chain of goodwill
