About Us

Wear your heritage on your sleeve.

House of Jaya was born from a shared conviction that fashion can bridge cultures, stories, and identities.

Our Story

We are Julie Thomas Achettu, an educator who created the first Asian American Literature core course for Chicago Public Schools, and Shveta Sahu, a business leader and entrepreneur building and scaling brands at the intersection of content, design, and consumer insight. Together, we created House of Jaya to support those of us who grew up navigating what it means to belong to one place and another, yet never fully to either.

That experience inspired us to design pieces that honor South Asian artistry while embracing modern simplicity. Our seasonless, small-batch creations — never mass produced — are made for anyone who values comfort, thoughtfulness, and intentional design. They especially resonate with those who live between worlds.

Social Impact

We believe fashion can create change. With every purchase, a portion of the proceeds supports the Milaan Foundation’s Girl Icon Program, helping girls in rural India drive progress in education, health, and safety for themselves and their communities.

Whether you shop with us to celebrate your heritage or simply because you love thoughtful, well-made designs, you are seen, valued, and part of our community. Here, fashion is more than clothing — it’s self-expression, connection, and confidence.

Environmental Impact

We address pressing environmental challenges by combating pollution and promoting seasonless fashion. Embracing the “One Closet” concept, we offer versatile, blended garments that eliminate the need for separate American and South Asian wardrobes, thereby promoting eco-friendly solutions and minimizing fashion waste.

To further our commitment, we repurpose leftover fabric scraps into unique patch jackets, shirt cuffs, and other one-of-a-kind accents, giving new life to every piece of material and ensuring minimal to no waste. We also specialize in upcycling sarees with sentimental value, giving cherished fabrics a second life as modern, wearable pieces. If you’d like us to transform your saree into something new, email us at wecare@houseofjaya.com to get started.

Why Jaya?

In Sanskrit, Jaya means victory — a word as powerful as the feeling it represents. For us, it’s more than a name; it’s a reminder of the triumph of belonging. When you can confidently wear both your identities, you’ve already succeeded.

Jaya also celebrates the artisans whose craft brings our vision to life, many of whom never imagined their work would reach a U.S. or global audience. It celebrates the girls supported through Milaan Foundation’s Girl Icon Program, who are learning to lead and create meaningful change in their communities. Each piece represents their victories, too. These are shared triumphs — designed into something you can see, feel, and wear.

Our Mission

To empower individuals with dual identities through high-quality cultural fashion that blends South Asian elegance with contemporary American styles. We support this endeavor by donating a percentage of every purchase to underserved communities.

© House of Jaya