Indian luxury houses like Tarun Tahiliani, Gaurav Gupta, Rahul Mishra, Dhruv Kapoor, Anamika Khanna, and more are finally making their mark on the international stage, their artistry and craftsmanship receiving the global recognition they’ve long deserved. Yet, India’s influence on global fashion is far from new.
For decades, global luxury maisons have drawn inspiration from India’s rich tapestry of craft, culture, and design – sometimes subtly through silhouettes and accessories, and at other times through full-fledged tributes that celebrate the grandeur of Indian artistry. From intricate embroidery on handbags to the juttis, scarves, and textiles gracing international runways, much of what we see as global fashion owes its roots to the meticulous handwork of Indian artisans.
While we often focus on the silhouettes, it’s worth turning our attention to the accessories that are constantly reimagined and recrafted. Let’s rewind to moments when some of the world’s most celebrated fashion houses looked to India for inspiration.
Jean Paul Gaultier SS’94
For Spring/Summer 1994, Jean Paul Gaultier unveiled a daring collection featuring bold jewellery inspired by the traditions of North-West India, infusing Parisian avant-garde with Indian heritage.
Chanel 2012 Paris-Bombay Métiers d’Art
Chanel’s 2012 Paris-Bombay Métiers d’Art show indulged in a lavish reimagining of Indian royalty. The collection featured saree-inspired drapes, Nehru collars, and jewellery like maang tikkas, statement necklaces, and handcrafted bags with glimmering accents that evoked the opulence of Indian Maharajas.
Hermès
The maison’s iconic scarves, with their intricate motifs and patterns, have time and again drawn inspiration from India’s rich artistry, reinterpreting its cultural codes with elegance and sophistication.
Dior
When it comes to drawing inspiration from India, Dior is at the forefront with its long-standing partnership with the Chanakya School of Craft in Mumbai. This collaboration has brought Indian artisanship to the global spotlight, producing some of Dior’s most memorable craft-led pieces. Among them, the iconic Book Tote was reimagined with elephants and tigers intertwined with vibrant Christian Dior logos reminiscent of Mumbai’s hand-painted typography.
Prada
Prada’s SS’26 Menswear collection spotlighted an accessory with unmistakably Indian roots, the Kolhapuri chappal. The house reimagined it in its own signature style, though notably without crediting its origins. Following backlash, it was later revealed that the Prada team had, in fact, travelled to Maharashtra to study the craft firsthand.
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton’s SS’26 show unfolded as an ode to India – from a snakes-and-ladders-inspired stage to a soundtrack composed by the maestro A.R. Rahman. But the journey began long before the runway, with the LV team drawing inspiration from the bustling streets of New Delhi to the regal palaces of Jodhpur. Indian influences were woven seamlessly into the collection, surfacing in crystal-studded trunks, handbags adorned with elephants and palm motifs, and silhouettes reimagined with heritage accents.
Christian Louboutin
French luxury house Christian Louboutin paid tribute to India with Loubiraj, part of the Loubiworld fragrance collection. The bottle itself tells the story, crowned with a turban, jewel-adorned tiger, it stands as a striking emblem of India’s cultural opulence.
(All Image Courtesy: Web)