About Us

Astitva was born in 2018 on the outskirts of Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh (India), with a clear mission — to empower rural women through the traditional art of hand embroidery and transform it into a sustainable livelihood opportunity.

In these villages, most women had limited education and were often confined to low-paying labor in paddy fields. Their families were similarly engaged in daily-wage work like brick kiln labor, masonry, and other informal jobs. Despite their circumstances, many of these women had a deep desire to contribute meaningfully to their households — but lacked the opportunities and freedom to do so.

We realized that skill development alone is not enough. What truly makes a difference is turning a skill into a source of income. That realization gave birth to Astitva, a Hindi word meaning “existence”. And so, our journey began.

Empowering Women Through Hand Embroidery

Starting with a small group, we trained women in fine hand embroidery techniques. Today, Astitva proudly supports a collective of nearly 30 skilled women artisans, who create beautiful, handcrafted products such as:

  • Hand-embroidered tote bags

  • Elegant cushion covers

  • Stylish zipper purses

  • Decorative table runners

Every piece is handcrafted with precision, care, and love — reflecting both the artisan’s skill and the cultural richness of rural India. The quality of craftsmanship speaks for itself, and we invite you to explore and experience it through our collections.

Slow Fashion with Purpose

We also take hand embroidery orders from ethical brands, with the understanding that this intricate art takes time. We require a minimum production window of 30–40 days post sample approval to maintain our quality standards.

Please note: We do not accept customized orders from April to June. These summer months are reserved for selling our ready stock, which helps us fund raw material purchases and pay artisan wages when work resumes in July.

100% In-House Production

At Astitva, we handle everything in-house — from designing and sampling to product photography and website management. We do this not just out of necessity, but because every aspect of our work is infused with the same spirit of authenticity and dedication that defines our products.

Support Us

Are you a photographer, designer, SEO expert, digital marketer, vlogger, or social media influencer who cares about social impact and sustainable fashion? If yes, we would love your support.

Your expertise can help amplify the voices and talents of these incredible women artisans. And believe us — once you see their work, you’ll be inspired.

Shop. Support. Share.

Visit our website to shop handmade, support rural artisans, or simply spread the word. Every product you purchase or share helps sustain a livelihood and a dream.

Thank you for being part of the Astitva story.