India has always been a muse for global fashion. Couture houses and luxury designers have long turned to Indian craft for depth, texture and artistry. But beyond the celebrated techniques, there are design languages that remain quietly overlooked.
Think textures, colour and forms that haven’t had their runway moment yet. Untapped stories waiting to be reimagined- not just in fashion, but across interiors, art and lifestyle.
Here are five Indian design inspirations that could spark your next collection:
Bidriware: A Striking Visual Contrast
A 500 year old metal inlay craft, Bidriware is all about precision and restraint. Silver is inlaid into a darker base metal to create a play of contrasts- bold geometry sitting alongside delicate florals.
And it makes you wonder… could that same language of contrast find its way into design today? Maybe metallic detailing against matte leather? Or sculptural buttons that feel more like jewellery? Even accessories that borrow the inlay mood- but in a modern aesthetic.
Already prized by collectors, Bidriware’s visual vocabulary of contrast and control is waiting for reinterpretation- in both fashion and home décor.
Rogan Art: Painted Patience
One of the rarest textile arts in the world, Rogan painting survives in just a handful of families in Gujarat. Thick, oil-based paints are trailed onto fabric using a stylus- often drawn freehand and mirrored by folding the cloth.
The results? Saturated colours, mesmerizing textures, and patterns that feel alive.
And when you look at it through a designer’s lens, you can almost see it reimagined: Beads and threads building colour through layers. Or in interiors: statement panels and even custom accent chairs.
The patience it takes is its poetry.
Zanskar Blue: Stillness in Colour
We’ve all seen the iconic Rani pinks and turmeric yellows of India. But then there’s the icy blue of the frozen Zanskar River in Ladakh, A hue that feels almost surreal. Ethereal yet grounded, still yet powerful.
It’s the kind of colour that lingers in your mind, the way light does after snow. You can almost imagine it in chiffon that drifts from deep to pale, in beadwork that fades into nothing. For home décor, it breathes calm and clarity.
Because sometimes, colour itself is the story
Jadanagam: Power in a Braid
The serpent for your hair. Jadanagam is a traditional ornament from Tamil Nadu, worn by brides and classical dancers. Suns, moons, florals—all tucked into its form. A symbol that’s as much about strength as it is about beauty.
It’s easy to picture that serpentine rhythm slipping into the back of a gown, catching the light in metallic embroidery. Maybe even reimagined as a belt or hairpiece that feels part armour, part adornment.
Grace- but with an edge.
Sanjhi Art: Negative Space, Positive Story
The art of hand-cut paper stencils from Uttar Pradesh, Sanjhi was historically used to narrate mythology. What makes it remarkable is its use of absence- negative space becomes the story.
It’s easy to imagine that same play of voids and shadows in design: laser-cut appliqués on silk or leather, layered organza that shifts with light, or embroidery that reveals itself through cut-work.
Delicate yet strong, soft yet structured.
These examples are just fragments of India’s untapped design potential. For designers seeking freshness, India offers a living atlas of inspiration.
About Ricamour Embroideries:
Ricamour Embroideries is a hand-embroidery and design studio based in Mumbai. We work with design houses and ateliers around the world, reimagining embroidery for fashion, interiors and art.
Curious about our journey? Read the story behind Ricamour here.
To explore new ideas or custom embroideries, email us at info@ricamour.com or message us on WhatsApp.
All images used are for reference and inspiration only. Ricamour Embroideries does not claim ownership of these visuals. Credit belongs to the respective artists, photographers, and creators.
