MELE Craft

Kutch, Gujarat

Ajrakh is a centuries-old resist-dye printing technique using hand-carved wooden blocks and natural dyes, traditionally practised by artisan families in Kutch.

Bagru, Rajasthan

Named after the village of Bagru, this hand block printing tradition uses natural and azo-free dyes, with prints often dried directly in the sun.

Akola, Rajasthan

Dabu uses a mud-and-gum resist paste applied by hand before dyeing, producing characteristically soft-edged motifs.

Andhra Pradesh

Kalamkari ("pen-work") uses a bamboo or date-palm stick pen to hand-draw or block-print intricate motifs using natural dyes.

Kutch & Jamnagar, Gujarat

Bandhani is a tie-dye technique where fabric is hand-tied into tiny knots before dyeing, producing the signature dotted motif.

Pochampally, Telangana

In Ikat, yarns are resist-dyed to a precise pattern before weaving begins, giving the finished cloth its soft, blurred motif edges.

Punjab

Traditional Phulkari is a hand-embroidered darn stitch. MELE's Phulkari-inspired pieces are digitally printed reproductions of these motifs, not hand-embroidered.

Kashmir

Kashmiri embroidery traditions inspire this print collection, reproduced digitally for everyday wear.

Pan-India

One of India's most travelled motifs, the paisley appears across regional textile traditions in countless variations.

North India

Inspired by the floral ornamentation found in Mughal-era architecture and miniature painting.

Pan-India

Buti refers to small motifs scattered across a field of fabric, found across many regional weaving and printing traditions.

North India

Drawing from the geometric lattice (jaali) screens of North Indian architecture, reinterpreted as a woven-look print.

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Traditional Chikankari is a fine, hand-embroidered shadow-work technique from Lucknow. MELE's Chikankari-inspired craft options reproduce the aesthetic using guided thread embroidery.

Rajasthan

Gota Patti uses woven metallic ribbon, cut and appliquéd by hand into borders and motifs.

Surat, Gujarat & Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Zari is metallic thread — historically real gold and silver, today typically metal-coated polyester — woven or embroidered into fabric.

Pan-India

Resham embroidery uses lustrous silk (or silk-look) thread to create dense, richly coloured motifs.

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Banarasi weaving from Varanasi is known for fine silk and intricate brocade work using gold and silver-toned zari thread, historically woven for wedding and festive silks.

Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

Kanjivaram silk is handwoven in and around Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, prized for its heavy silk body, contrast borders and durability.

Kota, Rajasthan

Kota Doria is a sheer, lightweight cotton-silk blend handwoven in Kota, Rajasthan, recognisable by its fine checked (khat) weave.