Luxury fashion houses increasingly outsource complex design, embroidery, and stitching to Indian ateliers. These suppliers manage virtually the entire production process, with international brands often adding only final touches like buttons yet they receive little to no acknowledgment. Strict non-disclosure agreements further shroud the identities of these artisans, preventing them from showcasing their workmanship or claiming their contributions publicly. 

Yet India hosts world-class ateliers such as Mumbai’s Les Atelier 2M and Chennai’s Vastrakala that contribute to collections by Chanel, Hermès, Christian Louboutin, and others. Despite this, the reluctance to attach a “Made in India” label stems from brand prestige hierarchies, where French or Italian origins are deemed more desirable, keeping artisans invisible even as their work defines luxury aesthetics.

Nevertheless, the tide is slowly turning. Social media platforms empower artisans to showcase their work directly and connect with clients, fostering demand for traceable, sustainable, and ethically produced fashion. The global fashion industry now faces a pressing question: can it evolve from romanticizing Indian craft to forming equitable, transparent partnerships that uplift its creative backbone?