Isha Ambani Elevates Swadesh as a Global Emblem of Indian Craftsmanship
India secured a proud and prominent position on the global stage at the Oscars 2026, largely thanks to Isha Ambani's strategic efforts to spotlight the nation's rich artisanal heritage. Through Swadesh, the luxury platform under Reliance Retail, the depth of Indian craftsmanship, sophisticated design sensibility, and profound cultural legacy were brought into sharp, celebrated focus before a worldwide audience during one of fashion's most-watched weekends.
Swadesh's Artisanal Brilliance Captivates Hollywood
The appeal of Swadesh was unmistakably clear throughout the Oscars weekend, as an international lineup of celebrities selected its exquisite designs. These creations masterfully combine age-old, generational skills with fresh, contemporary aesthetics, demonstrating the timeless relevance of Indian artistry.
While Swadesh commanded the spotlight, Isha Ambani herself dazzled onlookers and paparazzi in a stunning vintage Valentino couture gown from the house’s Fall/Winter 2006–2007 collection, perfectly complementing the narrative of heritage meeting modern glamour.
Showcasing Couture and Jewellery Mastery
The weekend was a veritable showcase of Swadesh's capabilities. Zanna Roberts Rassi wore a breathtaking couture piece by Swadesh in collaboration with Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, bringing exemplary Indian textile craftsmanship to the glittering event. Her hand-embroidered crop top, featuring sculpted power shoulders, shimmered with thousands of meticulously applied bugle beads, stones, and crystals on a luxurious silk brocade canvas.
The motifs were inspired by the traditional Ikat technique, where threads are tied and dyed before weaving, creating distinctive geometric patterns with a soft, blurred effect. This picturesque blouse alone required nearly 2,000 man-hours of dedicated craftsmanship to create.
Jewellery as High Art
At the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy viewing party, Pritika Swarup sported a strikingly bold necklace by Swadesh. This piece expressed Indian jewellery craftsmanship through a daring contemporary form, designed as a finely articulated zip tracing the neckline—transforming an everyday motif into high art. The pull tab was crowned with a magnificent 6-carat Zambian emerald, its deep green glow beautifully contrasting with the brilliance of hand-set diamonds. Over 160 hours of rigorous, precise craftsmanship were devoted to creating this stunning piece, embodying Swadesh’s spirit of blending tradition with innovation.
Stylist Law Roach adorned a bespoke brooch by Swadesh, its design inspired by the bold symmetry of the Art Deco era and echoing the architectural language of Mumbai's iconic Eros Building—also home to Swadesh’s flagship store. Crafted in luminous gold, the composition centres on a vivid ruby, framed by precisely arranged diamonds set in clean, architectural lines. Each diamond was hand-set with meticulous precision, a process demanding immense patience and generational mastery from India’s artisans.
Indian Craftsmanship on the Oscars Red Carpet
On the main Oscars red carpet itself, Brandi Carlile and Catherine Shepherd wore fine jewellery by Swadesh, bringing the brilliance of Indian craftsmanship directly to Hollywood’s most iconic stage.
Brandi Carlile wore the exquisite Petal Prism Brooch, inspired by the organic geometry of a sunflower. Handcrafted in gold and centred around a luminous oval-cut emerald, the brooch is framed by pavé-set diamonds arranged through an open-setting technique that allows light to move freely. Every petal and the diamond-studded stem were shaped with precision, requiring over 100 man-hours of craftsmanship by master artisans in Telangana.
Catherine Shepherd wore a stunning, flexible diamond necklace designed to drape and flow like fabric. Its articulated construction echoes a delicate feather barb, allowing fluid movement. A continuous ribbon of hand-set diamonds runs through it in a refined chevron pattern with subtle Victorian-era detailing.
After-Party Glamour and Global Recognition
At the Vanity Fair Oscars After Party, Minnie Driver adorned the Celestial Tiers multi-row solitaire necklace by Swadesh. Crafted in polished white gold over nearly 150 hours, it features pear, emerald, and round brilliant-cut diamonds set in descending, fringe-like rows. This piece reflects the extraordinary cutting and polishing expertise of Surat, using a sophisticated open-setting technique to maximize brilliance.
In the true spirit of Swadesh, all these creations honour India’s rich artisanal legacy—celebrating the inherited mastery of craftspeople who transform precious materials into enduring works of art for the world to admire.
Isha Ambani's prominent and visionary role at Swadesh powerfully exemplifies the Ambani family's deep dedication to elevating Indian artisanal crafts on the global stage through Reliance Retail's influential luxury platform. This Oscars weekend was not just a fashion moment, but a significant cultural milestone for Indian heritage.
