Indian designers are steadily making a mark on the international fashion scene. But they are not the first ones to make this progress. Over the last four decades, several companies across the country have been doing intricate embroidery for the likes of Donna Karan, Jean Paul Gautier, Vera Wang and Giorgio Armani. Meher Castelino talks to two such firms to find out the method behind the madness.

   Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clarion call to global companies to ‘Come and make in India’ is a recent phenomenon. But international fashion couturiers have been following this trend over the last few decades by seeking the help of Indian design firms, where artisans do the embroidery for their creations. In 1993, the late Michael Stolzenburg, of Escada fame, swore by Indian embroidery for every collection.

   Even today, the tradition continues with the label. Foreign designers opt for artisans from here as the....