Frequently Asked Questions

Shwetambari is a New York-based luxury fashion brand founded in 2019 by fine artist and painter Shwetambari Mody. The brand creates handcrafted garments in premium fabrics — silk, cotton, linen and embroidered textiles — rooted in the artistic heritage of India and shaped by the creative energy of New York City. Each piece is made in limited quantities by a community of artisans, designed for individuals who value craft, intention, and quiet luxury over trend.

Shwetambari Mody is a fine artist and painter who has been based in New York City for over twenty years. After a career spanning fashion and business across multiple countries, she returned to her deepest passion — art and design — with the creation of her eponymous label in 2019. Her work as a painter directly informs the brand’s approach to color, form, and surface: each collection is as much an artistic statement as it is a fashion offering. In 2024, she was nominated as a Rising Star by the Fashion Group International in the Casual Wear category.

Karigar is a Hindi and Urdu word that refers to a skilled craftsperson or artisan — someone who works with their hands to create objects of beauty and utility. At Shwetambari, karigar describes the diverse community of artists, weavers, embroiderers, and makers who bring each collection to life. From the painters who inspire the prints to the artisans who execute the embroidery, the karigar tradition is at the heart of every garment. Honoring this community is not incidental to the brand — it is the brand’s founding principle.

All Shwetambari garments are handcrafted in India by artisan communities with centuries of textile tradition behind them. The brand is designed in New York City and made in India — a creative exchange that is central to its identity. This process means each piece carries a genuine connection to the craft traditions of the subcontinent, expressed through the lens of contemporary New York luxury.

The current collection is Fall Winter 2026: HASTHA. Derived from the Sanskrit word for hand, HASTHA is an ode to the human hand as both maker and messenger, shaping fabric into form with devotion and care. The hand appears throughout as both symbol and signature, expressed through bespoke prints and embroidered outlines that capture the human touch in motion. Chain and ribbon embroidery move across the fabrics like delicate sketches, and subtle irregularities and tactile richness are embraced, so everyday garments carry the trace of their making.

The Core Collection is Shwetambari’s permanent wardrobe — handcrafted pieces in premium silk, cotton and linen designed to transcend season and trend. Think pintuck shirts, silk tops, wrap skirts and tailored pants: investment dressing for everyday luxury. Occasion Wear is built for moments that call for something more — embroidered silk dresses, paillette skirts, satin maxi gowns and artisan-crafted pieces designed for evenings, celebrations, and events worth remembering. Both categories are made in limited quantities by hand in India.

Yes. Every Shwetambari garment is produced in limited quantities. This is a deliberate choice — it reflects the brand’s commitment to artisanal craftsmanship over mass production, and ensures that each piece retains its character as a singular object. When a style sells out, it is not restocked. If you find something you love, we recommend not waiting.

Shwetambari works with premium natural textiles sourced from artisan communities in India — primarily silk, fine cotton, linen, and embroidered fabrics. Specific techniques used across collections include Gajra embroidery (made from shola wood flowers), gulmohar motifs, pintuck construction, paillette embellishment, seersucker weaves, and hand-painted surface treatments. The selection of fabric is as considered as the design itself: material is not backdrop, it is the point.

Because Shwetambari garments are handcrafted in premium natural textiles, they require careful handling to preserve their quality and longevity. Silk and cashmere pieces should be dry cleaned only. For other garments, please refer to the care label attached to each piece. Proper care ensures that your garment remains as considered as the day it was made.

Made per order means that the piece will only be made after an order is put into the system. This service is available for select styles and allows for a truly personal piece, made once, made right. Because each Made per Order garment is produced from scratch, please allow additional lead time beyond standard processing. Contact us at [email protected] to inquire about available styles and to begin the process.

We accept PayPal, Apple Pay, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. When placing your order, the name and billing address must match the card used for payment.

At this time, orders ship to the United States only. We are working to expand our shipping destinations. If you are located outside the US and are interested in a piece, please reach out to [email protected] — we will do our best to assist on a case-by-case basis.

Please allow 1 to 2 business days for order processing. US orders ship via FedEx Monday through Friday (excluding local and national holidays) and arrive within 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a tracking number once your order has shipped.

Garments purchased from shwetambari.com may be returned for a full refund within 14 days of the date received. The returned package must be shipped and in transit within that 14-day window to qualify. All items must be unused, unworn, and returned with original tags attached. Made to Order pieces are final sale. For return inquiries, contact [email protected].

Our team is available to help with any questions about the collection, sizing, Made to Order, or your order. Email us at [email protected] — responses are typically within 24 to 48 hours. You can also follow the brand on Instagram at @shwetambari_ny for collection updates and editorial content.