Khirki Extension in Delhi is often stereotyped as a "vibrant" and "melting pot" neighborhood. It's an old village that has become part of the ever-changing urban landscape of South Delhi. Khirki Village and Khirki Extension are characterised by a blend of historical ruins, unpainted structures, and colorful graffiti, and, despite the constant threat of gentrification, remain home to various communities that would struggle to find housing and shops elsewhere. Among these communities are refugee families from Afghanistan.

This unique neighborhood became the chosen location for Iris Strill and Bishwadeep Moitra when they established Silaiwali, a social enterprise, in January 2019. Silaiwali employs Afghan refugee women, many of whom belong to the persecuted Hazara tribe, to create handmade dolls from discarded cotton scraps. These dolls are primarily rag dolls in various skin tones, adorned in hand-stitched traditional attire. The idea behind this choice of craft was to utilise the smaller fabric scraps and cuttings, which Strill sourced from garment manufacturers, and to provide the women with a sustainable means of income.

The location-based approach was particularly effective during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite lockdowns, many of the women could still walk to the workshop, where the majority of the work took place, and were not as adversely affected in terms of their income, which often supports their entire families. They earn between ₹15,000 and ₹40,000 per month.

Having a substantial collection of dolls allowed the organisation to participate in the Maison & Objet trade show in Paris. This event brings together product designers and professionals from the decor and lifestyle industry worldwide. This opportunity led to Silaiwali, a self-funded enterprise, securing orders from the French high-street store Merci. But this wasn't the brand's first international order, as it had already made a mark in the international design community through collaborations with brands that manufacture their products in India and believe in the philosophy of sustainable fashion. Silaiwali collects scrap materials from these factories and transforms them into dolls and other small decorative items, retailing in the brands' stores worldwide.

While Silaiwali is just five years old, its roots were established when Iris Strill, a French art and design student, came to India in the 1990s to study Indian design and block printing. She gradually became involved in the craft sector, working with women-led organisations and assisting them in modernising their designs. She later became a design consultant for international clothing brands manufacturing in India, where she noticed the substantial fabric waste. This experience led her to start Silaiwali as a meaningful response to the issues she observed in the fast fashion industry.

Her husband, Bishwadeep, who had a background in graphic design and was working in journalism at the time, joined her in founding Silaiwali. They quickly became part of the UNHCR's MADE51 program, which helps take refugee-made products to the global market by collaborating with local social enterprises to provide livelihoods and preserve craft traditions.

Although not all the Afghan women were initially skilled in the type of needlework required for making the dolls, they quickly acquired the craft. They even contributed design ideas, such as creating a doll dressed in the traditional Hazara costume, the Nargis and the Nura doll.

Starting with ten women, the organisation now supports over 40 Afghan refugee women. These women are highly motivated and take initiative in managing the studio, including scheduling and dividing the work. When they are at the studio, it becomes a space they can call their own, filled with laughter and conversation, making it a supportive and empowering environment for these talented artisans.

Visit Here: https://silaiwali.com/