The year 2025 will be remembered as a landmark period when the world's gaze firmly settled on the rich tapestry of Indian craftsmanship. From international runways to celebrity wardrobes, indigenous textiles and artisanal techniques were championed like never before, creating defining moments that celebrated India's heritage on a global scale.
Kashmir to Cannes: Craft Takes Center Stage
Kashmiri embroidery enjoyed a spectacular revival throughout the year, gracing some of the most influential figures. Nita Ambani, a noted patron of Indian crafts, chose a stunning kashidakari-embroidered Jamevaar sari by Tarun Tahiliani for the inauguration of the Shiv Mandir in Gir, Saurashtra. Meanwhile, Janhvi Kapoor paid a poignant tribute to her late mother, Sridevi, by wearing an heirloom royal-blue Pashmina sari by Manish Malhotra at her movie Homebound premiere—the same sari Sridevi had worn in 2017.
The global stage at Cannes witnessed a fusion of heritage and couture when seventeen-year-old actor Nitanshi Goel made her red carpet debut. She wore a black gown by JADE by Monica and Karishma, featuring signature Kasab embroidery, a distinguished metallic threadwork from Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Celebrity Endorsements and Cultural Homage
Sonam Kapoor, a long-time advocate for indigenous weaves, supported Manipur's brand EAST by wearing a Tangkhul Kashan-inspired AKHA set from their Patrons collection. This move highlighted craftsmanship from Ukhrul for a global audience.
Aditi Rao Hydari's wedding became a craft moment itself. She selected a Wanaparthy-inspired ensemble from Sabyasachi, honoring her family's legacy in reviving this iconic Telangana sari, a craft her grandfather, Raja J Rameshwar Rao, was deeply involved with.
Isha Ambani's collaboration with Roberto Cavalli resulted in a bright pink Bandhani gown, handmade by local artisans, showcasing the tie-dye craft from western India on an international couture platform.
Controversy and Conversation: The Prada Kolhapuri Episode
No review of 2025's craft scene would be complete without mentioning the Prada Kolhapuris controversy. The humble chappal from Maharashtra's Kolhapur shot to global fame when Italian luxury giant Prada featured it in its Spring-Summer 2026 Men's collection. This sparked intense debate over cultural appropriation and the protection of Geographical Indication (GI) rights, with local artisans raising their voices. The brand later acknowledged the design was "inspired" by the Indian handcrafted footwear.
Sustainability and Revival: The Future of Craft
The year also saw a push towards sustainable alternatives, with milk fibre gaining traction as an innovative material. Made from spoiled milk, this regenerated protein fibre offers silk-like smoothness and cotton-like absorbency, used in everything from t-shirts to luxury sarees.
Perhaps the most powerful statement of revival came from Nita Ambani at the Harvard India Conference. She wore a breathtaking Parsi Gara sari—a masterpiece of hand embroidery that took nearly two years to complete, designed and restored by Zenobia S. Davar. This act highlighted a dying craft that once thrived during the Silk Route era, bringing it back into the limelight.
From Kangana Ranaut correcting the record on her Ladakhi Goncha to Nita Ambani's gold zari Kanjeevaram at the British Museum's Pink Ball, 2025 proved that Indian craft is not just a relic of the past but a vibrant, evolving, and globally relevant force.
