India’s traditional crafts have long been admired for their intricacy, cultural value, and timeless appeal. Among these, Chikankari embroidery holds a special place, originating from the historic city of Lucknow. As the fashion landscape continues to evolve, the importance of preserving such heritage crafts grows stronger. Gharana India has emerged as a thoughtful and impactful brand in this space, offering a beautiful range of handcrafted Chikankari apparel that speaks to both heritage and modern taste.
Founded with Purpose, Professional Insight, and Cultural Pride.
Gharana India was founded in 2024 by Pallavi Srivastava and Sankalp Srivastava, a husband-wife duo who not only share a deep connection to their cultural roots in Lucknow but also bring strong professional acumen to the brand. Pallavi, a software engineer with over 16 years of experience in the tech industry, always felt a strong pull towards India’s artistic traditions. Inspired by a desire to create something with deeper cultural meaning, she envisioned Gharana India as a space to revive and celebrate the fading crafts of India.
Sankalp, a Chartered Accountant with two decades of corporate experience, including several senior leadership roles, made the decision to pivot from the structured world of finance to the dynamic journey of scaling a direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand. His background brought crucial operational and strategic expertise to the venture, complementing Pallavi’s creative vision. Together, they are driven not just by business goals, but by a mission to preserve and elevate a craft they grew up admiring—Chikankari.
Products that Honour Craftsmanship with a Contemporary Twist.
Gharana India’s offerings include a curated selection of Chikankari-embroidered women’s kurtas, kaftans, kurta sets, tops, and an exclusive range of unstitched collections. Each piece is crafted using traditional stitches such as Bakhiya (shadow work), Phanda, and Murri, forming a connection between past and present. Their garments are made in soft, breathable fabrics like Mul Cotton, Mul Chanderi, Modal, and Rayon to ensure both comfort and elegance.
While preserving traditional techniques, Gharana India also addresses modern style preferences. Their collections include both classic ethnic wear and more versatile options like long shirts, coord sets, and office-appropriate casuals. This balance makes their clothing suitable for varied settings—from cultural gatherings to everyday wear—making heritage accessible to the style-conscious, modern Indian woman.
Ethical Growth Rooted in Artisan Empowerment.
Operating on a small-batch production model, Gharana India emphasizes quality over quantity, ensuring sustainable practices and reducing waste. The brand consciously avoids high-cost paid advertising, instead relying on organic growth and community-driven storytelling. This lean approach enables them to offer fair pricing while upholding high standards of craftsmanship and fabric integrity.
At the heart of Gharana India is its unwavering commitment to artisan empowerment. Many of the brand’s pieces are made by women artisans from in and around Lucknow, helping them sustain their livelihoods while continuing to practice their ancestral craft. Looking ahead, Pallavi and Sankalp aim to expand their product offerings and introduce collections featuring rarer stitches and region-specific craftsmanship, all while staying rooted in their founding principles.
Their vision remains clear: to keep the art of Chikankari alive for future generations, to create meaningful livelihoods for skilled artisans, and to make Indian heritage a part of the modern wardrobe—one handcrafted garment at a time.
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