How Simran Walia’s Simply Soho is blending Indian heritage, sustainable design, and modern aesthetics to revive handcrafted decor and gifting in India.
When Simran Walia walks into a room of imported home décor, she doesn’t see beauty — she sees a missed opportunity.
“The idea for Simply Soho was born out of a quiet frustration,” she reflects.
“Urban homes were filled with machine-made décor from abroad, while the rich, handcrafted legacy of Indian artisans sat in dusty corners, forgotten.”
That discontent didn’t just spark a business. It ignited a movement. As the founder of Simply Soho, a growing force in India’s artisanal home décor and gifting industry, Simran is leading a quiet revolution. Her vision is clear: to make Indian craftsmanship not just relevant again, but aspirational.
Simran is a second-generation entrepreneur with deep roots in Indian manufacturing.
“Craftsmanship, quality, and trust — those aren’t just words for me. They’re the foundations of my family’s legacy,” she shares.
Raised around the hum of workshops and the smell of freshly glazed ceramics, she internalized both the artistry and the economics of making things by hand. Over the years, she combined hands-on experience in manufacturing with a sharp understanding of consumer behavior.
The result? A homegrown brand that marries soul with strategy.
At Simply Soho, she champions not only products but people — particularly the artisans behind each creation.
“Every product we design is a story, of Indian ingenuity, ethical sourcing, and a desire to give ‘Made in India’ a new narrative of excellence.”
Simply Soho wasn’t built to follow trends. It was created to correct a market disconnect.
“There was no real middle ground,” Simran explains.
“Either you had cheap, mass-produced items or hyper-luxury brands that were out of reach. There was nothing for the thoughtful, modern consumer who wanted both quality and cultural relevance.”
Simran noticed five major gaps in the Indian home décor and gifting market:
Simply Soho emerged to fill that void by offering handcrafted homeware and gifts that balance design, ethics, and emotion.
“We’re not just selling bowls and trays. We’re offering a deeper connection — to culture, to craft, to community.”
Each item is handcrafted in India, using ethically sourced materials and eco-friendly packaging.
“It’s not about nostalgia,” Simran says.
“It’s about reimagining heritage through a modern lens.”
Their secret sauce?
“We take traditional Indian materials like terracotta, marble, and ceramic, and redesign them with global, minimalist aesthetics.
The result is elegant, soulful, and unmistakably Indian.”
The path from vision to validation wasn’t without its bumps. One of the biggest hurdles was aligning traditional artisans with modern market demands.
“Artisans are deeply skilled, but they often haven’t worked within frameworks that require consistency or design adaptation,” Simran explains.
“We had to build trust, co-create, and iterate — a lot.”
Other challenges included:
The team’s approach to growth was simple yet powerful: small batches, storytelling, and soul.
“We didn’t chase virality. We built loyalty. We let our purpose lead, and the customers followed.”
If there was a moment that shifted Simply Soho’s trajectory, it was their first-ever pop-up exhibition.
“We weren’t sure what to expect,” Simran admits.
“Until then, we were mostly online, with modest traction. But at that pop-up, something beautiful happened.”
Customers lingered. They asked questions. They touched, admired, and bought — not just the products, but the ethos behind them.
“One woman told us, ‘This doesn’t look like the usual Indian stuff. It feels global but rooted.’
That comment stayed with me.”
That event validated their mission. It also sparked momentum — from expanding artisan networks to investing deeper in design and storytelling.
Simran’s vision for the future is as ambitious as it is intentional.
In the next five years, Simply Soho aims to become:
“We’re not just scaling products,” she insists.
“We’re scaling purpose.”
Her long-term dream?
To see Indian artisans celebrated globally, not as relics of the past, but as designers of the future.
“We want Simply Soho to be a bridge between tradition and trend, between heritage and home.”
Simran’s journey offers more than business insights — it offers life lessons.
For fellow entrepreneurs, especially those building purpose-driven brands, she shares:
“Stay rooted in your ‘why.’
Trends will come and go, but your core values are what will carry you through.
Build slow, build real, and never forget the hands that make your dream possible.”
Simply Soho isn’t just a brand. It’s an invitation.
An invitation to decorate with meaning, gift with intention, and reconnect with Indian craftsmanship in a new, modern light.
🔗 Explore the Collection:simplysoho.in
📷 Follow Their Journey on Instagram:@simply.soho
💼 Connect on LinkedIn:Simply Soho
Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking for inspiration, a conscious shopper seeking meaningful design, or simply someone who believes in the power of slow, soulful living — Simply Soho has something for you.
Let their story remind you:
The future of luxury isn’t mass-made. It’s hand-crafted, heart-led, and homegrown.
I am an entrepreneur, marketer, and mentor with a certification in entrepreneurship from IIT Delhi, one of the most prestigious institutions in India. I have a passion for connecting businesses with their ideal customers, solving real-world problems, and inspiring the next generation of founders.I founded and lead DevoByte, a digital marketing agency that provides a range of services, from SEO a
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