About
MEET DIVYA VIGNESHWARAN...
...The founder and designer at Hastha, an ethnic brand featuring traditional yet quirky hand block prints on clothing and accessories. Through her brand, she successfully combines her love for Indian art and handicraft, with her purpose in life – income generation for neurodivergent adults. Divya works towards creating a sustainable income model for adults with special needs and autism through hand block printed products, thus providing them with meaningful employment.
THE BRAND YOU LOVE...
...Began in 2015, attempting to fulfill a personal need – to create a T-shirt that would fit the Indian woman’s body, comfortably and gracefully. It also pioneered the concept of hand block prints on T-shirts and saw success with this one product. Hastha has, since then, extended its hand block printed offerings to unisex T-shirts, kids’ T-shirts, tops, umbrellas, veshtis(dhotis) and men’s kurtas.
Umbrellas were included in the range following the Chennai floods, with the remarkable idea of adding vibrant colors to a backdrop of gloomy grey skies and a sea of black umbrellas. Bringing art into everyday life, Hastha strives to add a touch of colour and fun to your wardrobe – and your life!
BUILDING LIVES, BLOCK BY BLOCK
While stylish yet comfortable clothing and accessories are the brand’s focus, it is fueled by a passionate purpose at its heart. Believing in the dignity of every human being, Hastha creates income-earning opportunities for adults with special needs, thereby training them and providing employment.
By extension, it also brings you the chance to be instrumental in their lives and well-being.
Hastha’s firm belief in inclusion resulted in its association with three Chennai-based integrated centres for people with special needs, including Gurukulam.
Recognising that such individuals excel in repetitive activity, adults with special needs and autism were trained in hand block printing to further empower this community. Since 2019, Hastha has facilitated the establishment of hand block printing units at various schools for adults with autism and special needs.
Our inclusive mentoring continues to offer these wonderful young individuals a beacon towards a beneficial future.
MISSION
Hastha is working towards making all its products hand block printed exclusively by neurodivergent adults.
TRADITION & CRAFTSMANSHIP
Divya grew up surrounded by art and has always been drawn to craft and handmade clothing. Her love for local craft traditions and typical Indian designs led her to work with artisans and people with special needs who were adept at hand block printing. She is focused on quality, and every Hastha product aims to balance beauty, comfort and purpose.
Graphics from nature, tradition, history and urban forms on plain and bright backgrounds make for a versatile choice of clothing.