Indian craftsmanship carries stories that extend far beyond the finished product. It reflects the knowledge of its makers, the character of its origins and the traditions sustained across generations. At Lakmé Fashion Week in partnership with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), designer Samant Chauhan brings this enduring legacy into focus through a collaboration with Jaisalmer Crafted Bar Collectible, from the house of Radico Khaitan, exploring the meeting point of Indian craft and contemporary luxury.
Known for his longstanding engagement with Bhagalpur silk, Chauhan has spent nearly two decades exploring the possibilities of the region’s handloom traditions. Since establishing his eponymous label in 2006, the designer has worked to translate the distinctive textures and craftsmanship of Bhagalpur silk into modern silhouettes, bringing the textile to a wider audience while remaining connected to its origins.
The collaboration with Jaisalmer extends this approach beyond apparel, bringing together fashion, design and a curated Crafted Bar experience. At its heart is a shared understanding of craftsmanship as something that evolves with time, finding new expressions while retaining the character and skill that define it.
The partnership draws an interesting parallel between textile and botanical traditions. While Chauhan’s work celebrates the artistry of silk weaving and the communities behind it, Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin draws from a blend of 11 botanicals, seven of which are sourced from across India, including Darjeeling green tea, lemongrass and cubeb pepper. Crafted through triple distillation and traditional copper pot stills, the gin reflects a craft-led approach to production rooted in Indian ingredients.
Together, these distinct disciplines create a dialogue between material, process and design. The Jaisalmer Crafted Bar at Lakmé Fashion Week offers guests a curated cocktail experience, while a series of special collectibles brings the collaboration’s design language into contemporary luxury. The initiative highlights how craftsmanship can move beyond its conventional context to shape new experiences and objects.
For Chauhan, Bhagalpur silk remains a living tradition, sustained by the knowledge and skill of its weaving communities. His design practice has consistently focused on taking this legacy forward through contemporary forms, allowing the textile’s inherent character to speak to a changing fashion landscape. The collaboration with Jaisalmer offers another context in which this approach can be experienced and appreciated.
Presented at Lakmé Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI, with Reliance Brands supporting the broader platform for homegrown luxury, the collaboration celebrates the continued relevance of Indian craftsmanship. It brings together two different expressions of Indian ingenuity, united by an appreciation for provenance, the people behind the process and the possibilities of translating traditional craft into contemporary luxury.
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Indian craftsmanship carries stories that extend far beyond the finished product. It reflects the knowledge of its makers, the character of its origins and the traditions sustained across generations. At Lakmé Fashion Week in partnership with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), designer Samant Chauhan brings this enduring legacy into focus through a collaboration with Jaisalmer Crafted Bar Collectible, from the house of Radico Khaitan, exploring the meeting point of Indian craft and contemporary luxury.
Known for his longstanding engagement with Bhagalpur silk, Chauhan has spent nearly two decades exploring the possibilities of the region’s handloom traditions. Since establishing his eponymous label in 2006, the designer has worked to translate the distinctive textures and craftsmanship of Bhagalpur silk into modern silhouettes, bringing the textile to a wider audience while remaining connected to its origins.
The collaboration with Jaisalmer extends this approach beyond apparel, bringing together fashion, design and a curated Crafted Bar experience. At its heart is a shared understanding of craftsmanship as something that evolves with time, finding new expressions while retaining the character and skill that define it.
The partnership draws an interesting parallel between textile and botanical traditions. While Chauhan’s work celebrates the artistry of silk weaving and the communities behind it, Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin draws from a blend of 11 botanicals, seven of which are sourced from across India, including Darjeeling green tea, lemongrass and cubeb pepper. Crafted through triple distillation and traditional copper pot stills, the gin reflects a craft-led approach to production rooted in Indian ingredients.
Together, these distinct disciplines create a dialogue between material, process and design. The Jaisalmer Crafted Bar at Lakmé Fashion Week offers guests a curated cocktail experience, while a series of special collectibles brings the collaboration’s design language into contemporary luxury. The initiative highlights how craftsmanship can move beyond its conventional context to shape new experiences and objects.
For Chauhan, Bhagalpur silk remains a living tradition, sustained by the knowledge and skill of its weaving communities. His design practice has consistently focused on taking this legacy forward through contemporary forms, allowing the textile’s inherent character to speak to a changing fashion landscape. The collaboration with Jaisalmer offers another context in which this approach can be experienced and appreciated.
Presented at Lakmé Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI, with Reliance Brands supporting the broader platform for homegrown luxury, the collaboration celebrates the continued relevance of Indian craftsmanship. It brings together two different expressions of Indian ingenuity, united by an appreciation for provenance, the people behind the process and the possibilities of translating traditional craft into contemporary luxury.
TO BE CONTINUED, FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.
This is where the surface ends and the reporting begins.
The complete piece, the full archive, and access to The French Press Circle. Reporting answerable only to its readers.
Already a subscriber ?
Login
Read these on the house, with our compliments.
A selection from the current issue, open to all readers. Read them in full. The rest is one decision away.
