NB x KALA RAKSHA

An ancient and storied craft from Kutch, Gujarat, this collection is a celebration of upcycled appliqué art, created in collaboration with the incredible women artisans of Kala Raksha. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, made using discarded block-printed and bandhani fabrics, and transformed into layered textile art that tells a deeper story through shape, form, and embroidery. Kala Raksha is a grassroots artisan collective committed to preserving and evolving heritage crafts of Gujarat, acting as custodians of fading traditions. Together, we’ve created a small batch of appliqué artworks that not only celebrate sustainable design but also carry forward a rich legacy of visual storytelling through craft.

NB x KALA RAKSHA

5 products

About the craft

Appliqué from Kutch traces its roots back to the 11th century and was once a beloved household craft across India. Traditionally made using muslin, the technique involves cutting and stitching shapes onto fabric backgrounds, often portraying scenes from the artisans’ everyday village life. Common motifs include peacocks, scorpions, parrots, flowers, houses, and figures, each echoing the folk tales and visual memory of ancient Gujarat. With time, the practice evolved to reflect personal and regional narratives, turning fabric into canvas and memory into stitch. This tradition of appliqué not only showcases extraordinary skill but also speaks to the timeless instinct to tell stories through thread.

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