FAQ

On-chal or ahn-chal

Click to listen to a video pronunciation

"Anchal" is a Hindi word that signifies shelter and the decorative edge of a sari, traditionally used to offer comfort and protection to loved ones. This concept serves as a guiding metaphor for our business approach, emphasizing empathy, love, and care in all that we do.

Anchal is a 501(c)(3) non-profit social enterprise that leverages design and collaboration to create sustainable, income-generating careers in eco-friendly textiles for marginalized women in India.

When you purchase an Anchal product, you are directly supporting the woman who made it. Each artisan receives a verified living wage by the Fair Trade Federation that promotes her financial independence and journey of self-empowerment.  Each purchase in turn supports her family's basic needs and children's education. This impact extends to the 180 artisans and 24 Project Assistants supported by Anchal’s program. 

Additionally, Anchal offers a holistic support system that includes educational workshops, health services, awards, gifts, and a supportive community, along with reliable access to the international marketplace. Learn more about our commitment to ethical practices here.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all profits from Anchal are reinvested into our mission to support our artisan community. According to our 2022 990 form, our functional expenses are allocated as follows: 91% to program services, 6% to management and general expenses, and 3% to fundraising.

Since becoming verified members of the Fair Trade Federation in 2014, Anchal has adhered to stringent third-party verification processes that rigorously review our practices. This ensures our commitment to fair trade principles, including prompt and fair payment, is consistently upheld, guaranteeing that Anchal artisans receive wages well above the living standard.

The cost of each product is influenced by a variety of factors. These include the time artisans spend hand-stitching each piece, the costs of materials and custom dyes, and the time of our 24 project assistants involved in machine sewing, fabric cutting, quality control, packing, and oversight. Additional costs arise from overhead expenses at our India workshop, such as rent, equipment, and utilities, as well as international shipping, import duties, and marketing costs. 

You can be confident that the artisans and project assistants are not only paid fairly and promptly but also earn 30%-50% more than in their previous employment, making the social impact of your purchase both significant and visible.

Sustainability is a core value for our company and crucial for the future of our planet. We are committed to sustainable fashion, employing hand-stitching and printing techniques that minimize our carbon footprint. We use sustainably sourced materials including vintage fabrics, certified organic cotton, and non-toxic dyes, and we strictly avoid plastic in all our products, opting only for the finest natural textiles.

We'd be delighted to welcome you in person at our store and headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky. Come explore the complete Anchal collection at 1229 South Shelby Street. We're open Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Saturdays from 11 AM to 4 PM. Additionally, we host monthly events and occasionally participate in craft markets—check out our upcoming activities here.

If you're not in Louisville, you can still experience Anchal products by visiting a stockist near you. Find a shop on our stockist page!

We love connecting with our customers and sharing inspiring stories. Stay updated and engaged by following us on Instagram and Facebook. For exclusive content, product launches, sales, and impactful stories, subscribe to our E-Newsletter or sign up for monthly SMS updates. Join our community and be part of our journey!

All products crafted from vintage cotton or silk saris are unique, one-of-a-kind items. Once sold, they are gone forever. You can recognize these pieces by their printed patterns. If a pattern catches your eye, act quickly—they don’t stay available for long. Or you can subscribe to our E-Newsletter to receive alerts when new vintage drops.

In contrast, our products made from solid-colored, organic cotton are available in multiple quantities. These items can be purchased in multiples and are restocked if sold out, giving you more flexibility to buy at your convenience.

Absolutely! We recognize that you may prefer not to have a feather down insert due to vegan principles, allergies, or personal preferences. We are pleased to offer just the pillow cover at a reduced price without the insert. Simply email our team at info@anchalproject.org or call 502.709.4377 during business hours for a customized invoice, we’d love to help you.

We receive shipments from our team in India every 30-45 days, continuously introducing new, one-of-a-kind vintage patterns in various styles and replenishing top selling sold-out items. To get the latest updates on our vintage drops, subscribe to our E-Newsletter. For instant notifications on restocks, click the “Email me when available” button on any product page to receive a personalized alert as soon as it's back in stock.

We do! Customers who sign up for our E-Newsletter will receive 10% off or 15% off with SMS updates on their first purchase. We also offer several sales throughout the year. Be the first to know by joining our E-Newsletter or following us on Instagram and Facebook.

Our handcrafted products are designed to last and become cherished heirlooms.

For easy care and to preserve their beauty, visit our Product Care page to learn more about how to appropriately care for each piece.

All orders are shipped Monday through Friday during regular business hours. We do not ship on Saturdays, Sundays, or nationally observed U.S. holidays. Orders are fulfilled within 1-3 business days. Any orders placed after business hours on Friday, or during the weekend, will be shipped starting the following Monday.

We ship all orders through UPS or USPS. All orders will have a tracking number so you can easily see when your order will arrive.

The delivery window depends on the shipping destination and the . For Domestic economy shipments, we offer UPS Ground or USPS (1-5 business days). UPS Next Day Air (1-2 business days) is used for Express shipments.

For international orders, we offer UPS Worldwide Saver and USPS Priority Mail International. Depending on your country, it will take 2-5 weeks for your order to arrive.

Yes, we offer international shipping through UPS and USPS. Please note that you are responsible for any additional customs fees, taxes, or charges upno delivery and these fees are not included at the time of checkout. Fees and taxes vary by region.

Yes, any order shipped to a P.O. Box will be mailed using USPS Ground Advantage or Priority Mail.

Shipping charges are determined on product weights and package dimensions. We offer free economy shipping on domestic orders over $225.

Once your package departs from Anchal, all liability lies with the carrier. Should your package go missing, customers are required to file a claim directly with the carrier. We are unable to issue refunds for packages lost in transit, stolen, or marked as delivered but not received. If you need help filing a claim, please contact our team at info@anchalproject.org, and we will assist you.

For those concerned about delivery issues in their area, we recommend adding Route Protection to your order at checkout for additional security.

Route offers tracking services and shipping protection for your online purchases. For a small fee at checkout, Route provides insurance for items that are lost, damaged in transit, or stolen immediately after delivery. With Route, you get peace of mind knowing that your purchase is protected and traceable throughout its journey if you have concerns about delivery address.

Yes, we can cancel your order if it has not yet been shipped. Please contact our team promptly at info@anchalproject.org or call 502.709.4377 to request a cancellation. We cannot guarantee the cancellation once an order has been shipped.

Yes, to help reduce shipping costs, we allow the combination of multiple orders. If you wish to combine your orders, please contact us at info@anchalproject.org or call 502.709.4377 before your initial order is shipped.

Exchanges and returns for store credit are free for your first request of any eligible item. Returns for a refund, and subsequent exchange and return requests are subject to a $10 flat rate shipping label. You must initiate your return or exchange within 14 days of delivery. Final sale items are noted on the product page and international orders are not eligible for returns or exchanges.

We offer free return labels for your first request. You can exchange your item for another product or for store credit. To initiate the exchange process, enter your order information in our exchange portal here. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team at info@anchalproject.org.

We dispatch replacement items after we receive the returned product. Once we receive your returned item, please allow 1-2 business days for our team to process your exchange and ship your replacement item.

To start the return process, enter your order details in our return portal here, and we will either accept or reject your return request. We can provide a return shipping label for a $10 flat-rate or you can select to ship it back at your expense.

Upon delivery of your return, please allow 1-3 business days for our team to process your return. If your return is accepted, you will receive a refund.