Had I known what I know now, I would have made it a point to remember her name. Back then, in Kutch, Gujarat, I had plunged head-first into the ocean of textiles I had dreamt about for 15 years. I was absorbing everything: the colors, the techniques, the sheer beauty of it all. What I did not yet understand was how much of that beauty began in the hands of women whose names are rarely remembered. I wish I knew her name now. What I do know is that she was one of many women who

I’ve heard the exact same line from more than a few people: “I’m not a scarf person.” And I always know what they mean. They’re not saying they hate scarves. They’re saying they don’t want homework. They don’t want to learn knots, chase trends, or stand in front of a mirror like they’re auditioning for a role called “Effortless.” They want to put something on and have it work. The funny part is the people who do take the plunge almost always report the same thing later: “I wo

A lot of jewelry looks great. That is not the same thing as jewelry you actually wear. The difference usually comes down to details you can’t fully appreciate in a photo: weight, comfort, how it sits, how it moves, and whether it behaves when you turn your head, hug someone, put on a coat, or spend a whole day living your life. That’s what I think about when customers tell me they get a lot of compliments on their Premaasi sari silk necklaces. The compliments are lovely. But

quilted kantha sari napkins Imagine this. It's the holidays. You're busy preparing to welcome friends and family into your home. Perhaps there's a fire crackling nearby. You're huddled around it on the hearth. You reach for that quilt... the one you always bring out this time of year. The quilted fabric reminds you of the warmth of the season. And of generations gone by. Of hands that stitched before yours. Perhaps the fabric reminds you of the quilt created many years ago

I was stunned. The comment was rude and uninformed. But, I get it. Handmade jewelry looks so deceptively simple, it's easy to get, well, deceived. That is, until you really learn what you're looking at. And, to be honest, the hand-work is never as visible on screen as it is in person. Instead of deleting the comment, I explained the process. In fact, a skeptical comment is often a sheep in wolf's clothing to a founder. It forced me to think about the handmade process, the sto

"Jewelry.,..is the most transformative thing in a woman's wardrobe", says Iris Apfel. Iris Apfel isn't just a name; it's a symbol of...

A single piece of Nakshi Kantha tells stories that span generations. This intricate embroidery technique from Bengal transforms ordinary...

Unrepeatable. Upcycled. Unapologetically bold. Yet, they're lightweight (at only 45g each!). And they pack a punch. Got travel plans?...

“…The cloth sensitively records both the shape and the pressure; it is the ‘memory’ of shape that remains imprinted in the cloth. This is...

Have you heard about the Sandal Scandal? Prada recently presented their Spring/Summer 2026 Men's collection in Milan. And the star of...

This is a blog about the Gamcha - an iconic textile in India.

I think of my work in artisanal fashion as selling art. As a friend and client put it, my necklaces make her "feel terrific and feel like...

She didn’t always think of herself as someone who belonged in luxury. Luxury was something she’d seen behind glass, on runways, behind...

Once upon a time I was a colorful silk sari. I belonged to a beautiful young women in South Western India and lived in her wardrobe in a...

"To fathom the beliefs and myths which the village women create in each kantha is to understand their hopes and fears" - Rahman, Mohammed Sayeedur Kantha embroidery is a textile art form that rural Begali women have been practicing for more than 500 years, though evidence of its existence dates back to 3000 years. Between household chores they came together to create magic from worn out cloth, traditionally saris, breathing new life into them. It is a skill passed down from m

Have you ever wondered how your clothes are made? On the surface the block-printed design on this kaftan looks deceptively simple. But a...

Back in Time Imagine this.  All around you is a cacophony of sounds and a riot of color. You amble, stopping to take it all in. The...

Photos of my short and sweet Ahmedabad sojourn. Ahmedabad, a city in Gujarat, has a deep background in textiles, architecture and design

Downsize. Yup, don't buy, even from me. From anyone. Because it's better to buy less, buy better. I think of my brand as a slow fashion...

A designer based in New Delhi buys pre-loved vintage saris from a sari-seller and transforms them into stunning masterpieces. They are...