IN CONVERSATION WITH NEHA HIRACHAN
For Neha, clarity arrived quietly, and then it stayed. She shed the fuss, the guilt, the people who persistently overstepped, and found something on the other side that feels a lot like freedom. Through Jho Media and IndraNila Art, she has built platforms for voices that deserve to be seen: women, Indigenous communities, and stories rooted in culture and heritage. Motherhood sharpened everything. Her style follows the same story- bold colour worn with intention, natural fabrics that breathe and move the way she does.
What does being "in your element" look and feel like these days?
Being in my element looks like a loose cotton shirt and pants, almost always. There’s something about the simplicity of it that feels most like me. It’s comfortable, effortless, and adaptable, ready for whatever the day brings. In many ways, when I wear Neba, that’s how I resonate with Neba’s aesthetic too: I think it’s a beautiful balance between simplicity and chic, where ease and elegance coexist without trying too hard.
What's something you've consciously let go of recently — in life, in your work, or in how you move through the world?
The fuss. All of it. I've reached a point where if someone, in my professional or personal life, persistently oversteps, I can put my foot down without the guilt spiral that used to follow. I just don't have the bandwidth for it anymore. And honestly? That clarity feels like freedom.
Tell us a bit about your journey with Jho Media and IndraNila Art. How did it first come into being, and what continues to inspire it today?
Jho had been living in my head long before it existed in the world. It started taking shape in 2018 after I returned to Nepal from my post-grad studies. A close friend introduced me to modelling projects, which became my first real exposure to mixed-media storytelling. One project led to another, and eventually, I was working as a Chief Creative Officer, designing projects, hosting, and creating content.
Through that journey, I realized I wanted to build my own creative space. That’s how Jho Media was born- a platform dedicated to bringing women, Indigenous, and marginalized voices to the forefront.
IndraNila Art grew from the same vision, but through art, research, and curatorial practice, exploring culture, heritage, and community stories. What continues to inspire both is the belief that storytelling can create space for voices, histories, and perspectives that deserve to be seen and heard.
Neha wears the Tulip Dress
The digital world can be both inspiring and overwhelming. As someone who’s immersed in it, how do you cultivate stillness - moments of quiet that allow clarity and creativity to surface?
Honestly, I don't always get to. I work with a lot of artists, and that's just the nature of my world.
It's rarely quiet. But I've come to find that being surrounded by remarkable creative energy has its own kind of magic. It keeps you on the edge in the best way. Sometimes the stillness isn't what sparks creativity; the beautiful chaos does.
You often celebrate motherhood through your work. How has your own journey shaped the stories you tell?
It's made me a thousand times more sensitive to everything. Now, I think at least ten times before stepping into anything that doesn't align with my values. My philosophy has become deeply child-centric, and that lens has changed how I see stories, whose stories I tell, and how gently or boldly I choose to tell them. Motherhood has definitely changed me as a creator.
Neha wears the Slip Dress, paired with our Marie Cape and Marie Cuff.
How would you describe your personal style?
I’d describe my style as an extension of my roots. It’s deeply influenced by my indigeneity, where I come from, and the cultural landscapes that have shaped me. I think less about specific trends or pieces of clothing and more about the feeling behind what I wear. The colours I choose, often without even realizing it, the mood I’m in, and the confidence or intention I bring to an outfit all play a significant role. For me, style is less about fashion and more about identity, expression, and the way I move through the world.
What textures, colours, or materials are speaking to you right now?
I’m drawn to vibrant colours, pinks, blues, yellows, really the whole spectrum. There’s something joyful and expressive about colour that resonates with me. Looking back, I think part of this attraction comes from not having had the confidence to wear or embody those colours as a child. In some ways, I now find myself embracing them through my daughter, encouraging her to wear colours boldly and freely in a way I never quite felt able to.
In terms of materials, I gravitate towards natural fabrics like pure cotton and linen. I love the way they feel against my skin, their softness, breathability, and understated elegance. They bring a sense of comfort and ease that feels deeply connected to how I want to move through the world.
What are your everyday essentials- the 5 things you can't leave the house without?
My tinted lip balm by Herveda Botanicals.
A pen, because some things still need to be written by hand.
My phone, obviously.
My hydration pill,
And my face mask for Kathmandu dust.
Finally, what are you most looking forward to creating- or simply experiencing next?
There's a documentary film in the works, and I would love to say more, but I genuinely can't. What I can say is that the idea, the process, all of it, it has me more excited than I've been in a long time.
Find your stillness. Tell your story. Wear your freedom.
