Brand comparison
Haus of Handmade vs Fabindia vs Nicobar
Three Indian brands that use the word craft. What they actually mean by it is different. Here is the honest comparison.
The short version
Fabindia is India's largest artisan-sourcing retailer. The craft is in the fabric — handwoven, hand-block printed, naturally dyed. The garment construction is standard. Wide range, accessible price, high volume.
Nicobar is a design-led premium brand. Clean aesthetics, natural fabrics, contemporary Indian positioning. The craft is in the design, not the production method. Minimalist, considered, aspirational.
Haus of Handmade is a small-batch handcraft brand. The craft is in what happens after the garment is constructed — sequins sewn one at a time, lace cut and placed individually, embroidery positioned by artisans. Limited quantities. When a batch is gone, it does not come back.
What you are actually buying from each
At Haus of Handmade
You are buying a piece where the decorative detail work was applied by a person, not a machine. The sequins on a sequined shirt are sewn individually. The lace on a lace shirt is cut and positioned by an artisan. The embroidery is placed by hand. No two pieces from the same design are identical. That variation is not a defect — it is what handcraft looks like. Production runs once. When the batch is done, the design is retired.
At Fabindia
You are buying fabric and textile tradition. Handwoven cotton, hand-block prints, natural dyes. The craft is in the material itself — produced by artisans across India. The garment is constructed from these fabrics in a more standard way. Wide range. Ethnic silhouettes. Strong value at accessible price points.
At Nicobar
You are buying design. Clean lines, natural materials, considered aesthetics. Contemporary Indian without being ethnic. The brand's strength is curation and aesthetic direction. Less about visible craft, more about understated quality.
Price comparison
| Brand | Tops / Shirts | Dresses | Co-ord Sets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haus of Handmade | ₹3,500–₹6,000 | ₹4,300–₹6,300 | ₹5,500–₹6,800 |
| Fabindia | ₹1,200–₹3,500 | ₹2,000–₹5,000 | ₹3,000–₹6,000 |
| Nicobar | ₹3,500–₹7,000 | ₹4,500–₹8,000 | ₹5,000–₹9,000 |
Who each brand is for
Choose Haus of Handmade if you want something where the detail work was applied by an artisan's hand. You want to wear something that does not look exactly like anyone else's piece. You want limited production — not mass-made. Contemporary silhouettes, not ethnic wear. Price range ₹3,500–₹6,800.
Choose Fabindia if you want handwoven Indian textiles at accessible prices. Ethnic and kurta-based silhouettes. Strong cotton and linen basics with traditional craft in the fabric.
Choose Nicobar if you want contemporary, minimalist design with an Indian sensibility. Neutral palettes. Understated quality over visible craft. Higher price point.
Frequently asked questions
Is Haus of Handmade better than Fabindia?
They serve different purposes. Fabindia specialises in handwoven ethnic textiles at accessible prices. Haus of Handmade specialises in hand-applied decorative detail work on contemporary silhouettes in limited batches. If you want embroidered shirts, sequined tops or lace co-ord sets in contemporary cuts, HOH. If you want handwoven ethnic kurtas and sarees, Fabindia.
How does Haus of Handmade compare to Nicobar?
Nicobar is design-led and minimalist. HOH is craft-led and detail-rich. Nicobar appeals to women who want understated contemporary fashion. HOH appeals to women who want pieces with visible artisan work. Price points overlap in the ₹4,000–₹7,000 range.
Is Haus of Handmade genuinely handmade?
Yes. The specific meaning: the decorative detail work on each piece — sequins, embroidery, lace — is applied by hand by artisans in HOH's Noida atelier. Not printed, not machine-applied. Small-batch production means limited quantities. When a batch sells out, the design is retired.
What other handmade clothing brands in India are comparable to HOH?
In the hand-applied embellishment space (sequins, lace, embroidery on contemporary silhouettes): HOH is one of very few brands operating at this level at accessible luxury pricing. For handwoven ethnic: Fabindia, Okhai, Raw Mango. For block-print: JOVI India, Nilam India. For luxury bridal handcraft: Anita Dongre, Rahul Mishra.
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