The name SilaiWali is made up of two Hindi words: Silai, meaning the act of stitching together two pieces of fabric, and Wali, referring to a feminine person in a professional role.

SilaiWali is an inspiring social enterprise based in New Delhi, India, dedicated to upcycling apparel manufacturing waste into charming, handcrafted pieces and decorations. Created by Afghan women refugees living in India, every piece tells a powerful story of resilience and renewal.

Having fled their home country for safety, these women suddenly found themselves in an unfamiliar city, tasked with learning a new language and customs while rebuilding their lives. Coming together as a community of sewers, they banded together to motivate one another and improve their lives—stitch by stitch.

Today, their eco-friendly creations champion sustainable design while providing reliable, fair-trade incomes that support social development and secure livelihoods for marginalized artisans. Every piece is hand-stitched using upcycled fabric scraps, turning mindful craft into a pathway for a brighter future.