Haus of Handmade vs Okhai — Handmade Ethnic Wear Compared

September 1, 2026

Two of the most talked-about handmade ethnic wear brands in India — and genuinely, both doing meaningful work. If you've been trying to choose between Haus of Handmade and Okhai, this honest comparison is for you.

Background — Two Brands, Two Approaches

Okhai (formerly Okhai Centre for Empowerment) started as a social enterprise backed by Tata Chemicals, with a focus on empowering rural women artisans in Gujarat. Their work is deeply rooted in community development and traditional craft revival. It's genuinely admirable work.

Haus of Handmade was born from a different place — a founder who started the brand at 45, after years of loving handmade things and wanting to wear them without compromise. HOH is about making authentic artisan craft accessible for the modern Indian woman, without inflating prices or over-packaging the “story.”

Design Aesthetic

Okhai's aesthetic leans traditional and earthy. Their prints are rooted in Gujarati craft traditions — bandhani, mirror work, natural dyes — and the colour palette tends toward warm, heritage tones. It's beautiful work, but the design language is fairly specific.

Haus of Handmade has a broader aesthetic range. You'll find block prints, hand embroidery, schiffly lace, dori detailing, and clean silhouettes that move between traditional and contemporary. HOH pieces work as easily at a festive function as they do at a casual brunch or a work meeting. That versatility is a real advantage for women who want their handmade wardrobe to go further.

Price Range

Both brands are positioned in the accessible mid-range. Okhai's kurtas and sets generally range from ₹1,200 to ₹4,000. HOH's pricing is similar, with comparable pieces for daily and festive wear. Neither brand is premium-priced for its own sake — what you're paying for is the craft.

Occasion Wear and Versatility

Okhai excels for women who want deeply rooted traditional Indian aesthetics — Diwali, Navratri, family celebrations where the look is unapologetically traditional.

At Haus of Handmade, the range covers more occasions. HOH's co-ord sets and kurtas work for the office, the festive season, casual weekends, and everything in between. If you're building a handmade wardrobe that has to be versatile — not just for one occasion — HOH gives you more to work with.

Festive Collections

Both brands do festive collections. Okhai's festive pieces lean heavily into traditional craft — mirror work, heavy embellishment, classic silhouettes. HOH's festive collection mixes handmade craft with cleaner, more wearable silhouettes — pieces that feel celebratory without feeling costume-like. For women who want to look festive but still feel like themselves, HOH often hits the mark better.

Delivery and Shopping Experience

Okhai ships well and has a clear online store. HOH ships pan-India with careful packaging — every piece is made to order or in small batches, which means what arrives is fresh, not sitting in a warehouse.

The Verdict

Both brands are doing good work and both are worth supporting. But if you want a handmade ethnic wardrobe that covers more ground — festive, daily, office, casual — with design versatility and consistent artisan quality, Haus of Handmade is the more practical choice for most Indian women.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Okhai a good brand?

Yes, Okhai does genuinely good work supporting rural women artisans in Gujarat. Their craft is authentic and their social mission is real. The design aesthetic is more traditional, which suits some buyers perfectly.

Which is better for everyday wear — HOH or Okhai?

Haus of Handmade is generally more versatile for everyday wear. HOH's range includes casual, office-appropriate, and festive pieces, while Okhai's aesthetic leans more traditional.

Do both brands use genuine handmade techniques?

Yes. Both Okhai and Haus of Handmade use genuine artisan techniques. Okhai focuses on Gujarati craft traditions; HOH draws from a broader range of Indian craft including block printing, hand embroidery, and hand weaving.