At Ocher Studio, every thread, every handicraft, and every diary tells a story.
But some of the most powerful stories are not woven into the products, they’re carried in the hearts of the people who make them.
Today, we honour two such individuals who have grown with us, stood by us, and became the soul of Ocher: Naina and Naresh.
Naina: From Helping Hands to Heart of the Studio
When Ocher was still just a small home studio, buzzing with ambition, Naina walked in as our house help’s daughter.
Quiet, curious, and just passed her 10th grade, she began at Ocher by doing simple clerical work: cleaning, organising, helping out wherever she could.
Back then, she had never stepped out of her home alone. No phone. No internet. Not even a bank account to her name. But what she did have was rare, trust. A quiet determination.And we saw in her the raw potential that didn’t need degrees to shine.
She began learning quietly, mostly by herself, inside our studio, picking things up through observation, practice, and curiosity. From working with carpentry machines to polishing wood, measuring fabric, and weaving jewelry by hand, Naina immersed herself in every step.
She started making our handmade diaries, every fold, stitch, and press carrying her care. Eventually, we named the venture Naina Ki Diaries, not just because she made them, but because she poured her identity into every single one.
When we opened our store, Naina was the very first person we hired. She became our biggest support system. That’s when we realised she had never used a computer before. So we started small: how to switch it on, type a few words, take a printout.
Slowly, patiently, she learned every basic function. And today, she manages orders, bills, and basic accounts with a confidence she’s earned, not through privilege, but through persistence.
She’s travelled with us to curate exhibitions across Jaipur, Mumbai, Raipur, and more, confidently managing stalls, engaging with customers, and representing Ocher with poise.
Operating our stores and workshops without Naina? Honestly, unthinkable.
She’s our backbone. Our family. Our reminder that true growth isn’t handed, it’s earned.
In a world that often overlooks women without degrees, Naina is living proof that grit, trust, and opportunity can rewrite every rule.
From our early experiments and our small home studio to our very first store and every exhibition in between, Naina has seen Baby Ocher grow up, one step at a time
Naresh: A Cultural Rebirth
Where Naina brought quiet determination, Naresh brought resilience and reinvention.
Three years ago, in the middle of an emergency staffing crisis, Naresh arrived at our doorstep.
A mason’s son from a conservative Rajasthani town, he had little experience, no craft background, and even less exposure to the kind of work we do at Ocher.
What he did have was eagerness, and a willingness to unlearn and learn again.
For Naresh, joining Ocher was a cultural shock. A women-led team, a non-hierarchical space, open communication, it was all new.
But slowly, and with a little nudge from Nisha (our founder), he began learning the basics. One tab at a time, one day at a time, he picked up the skills needed to manage the store.
Slowly, his curiosity began to replace his hesitation. He learnt how to handle the billing system, coordinate backend inventory, communicate with customers, and most importantly, adapt.
Today, he manages our entire backend, workshops, logistics, and store operations.
From a small-town upbringing where he'd never seen a woman lead a team, Naresh has adapted beautifully to being part of a collective that celebrates both tradition and transformation.
It’s been 3 years since that unexpected beginning. And while the journey hasn’t always been easy, Naresh has met every challenge with grace, breaking old beliefs, absorbing new skills, and growing into a man who doesn’t just manage Ocher’s spaces…
He anchors them.
Today, Naresh runs the entire show. From sales and purchases to visiting artisans, managing vendors, and coordinating our workshop, he looks after it all. He’s not just part of the team; he’s the force that keeps everything moving.
From Rajasthan to Bastar, from resistance to responsibility, Naresh’s journey is a reminder that transformation isn’t always loud.
Sometimes, it’s steady, silent, and spectacular.
The Real Craft Behind Ocher
In a world where fast fashion and quick fixes dominate, Ocher stands for something different, progress that’s personal.
Stories like Naina’s and Naresh’s remind us that real impact doesn’t come from just selling products. It comes from growing together. From sharing skills, uplifting each other, and creating a space where learning has no expiry date.
We often talk about handmade fabrics, heritage crafts, and conscious clothing. But our proudest legacy? Empowering individuals like Naina and Naresh to become leaders in their own right.
At Ocher, we're not just crafting clothes or diaries, we’re crafting futures. And these two stories are just the beginning…
