THE ART OF INHERITANCE

With his new collection, Ashdeen Lilaowala pushes Parsi gara embroidery into modern wardrobes

- MANU VIPIN

NAshdeen Lilaowala’s hands, Parsi gara is finding a new language of contemporary celebration wear.

The collection, ‘Inheritance’, spans le-hengas, jhablas, saris, kurta sets, waistcoats and separates for men and women, rendered in raw silks, crepes, and jac-quards. The gemstone-inspired palette of tourmaline, rose quartz, ruby, garnet, amethyst, onyx, and pearl anchors the line in a code of permanence and value, evoking the visual weight of heirlooms while appealing to a generation of consumers seeking cultural authenticity.

For the couturier, the strategy is clear: elevate gara beyond preservation into a global conversation about craftsmanship, heritage and contemporary design.

With ‘Inheritance’, he is creating a platform that positions Parsi embroidery as both culturally resonant and commercially scalable. Extracts from a conversation:

What was your earliest memory of Parsi gara embroidery?