Stories in Every Stitch: The Cultural Heritage Behind The India Edit

India was the very first stop on Alvica’s journey — and Jaipur, in particular, left a lasting imprint. I still remember the moment we arrived: the colours were everywhere. From the faded pink walls of the old city to the women in the streets dressed in bright saris, layers of bangles, and colourful lipstick — it felt so full of life. And that energy became the starting point for The India Edit.

Watching the artisans work in Jaipur was unforgettable. Each motif is block printed by hand, with wooden stamps carved just for these styles. The process is rhythmic and precise — a technique passed down through generations, where patience and skill come together to create something deeply textured and human. That connection to tradition, to slowness and care, became the soul of this first collection.

The Jasmine dress was the starting point. It’s made from yarn-dyed fabric, where the threads are dyed before weaving — giving it a softness and depth you can feel. The floral motifs are typical of the Jaipur region, hand block printed using wood blocks created especially for this style. It captures everything I wanted this collection to be: rooted in tradition, vibrant, and easy to wear.

The Rainbow Kaftan is the one piece in The India Edit that wasn’t made in Jaipur — and yet, it captures the spirit of Alvica so precisely, it almost feels like it was made for it. I first discovered it in a small shop in Mumbai and instantly fell in love. I bought it for myself, not with a brand in mind, but simply because I was drawn to the colours and the beautiful detailing. The embroidery — a traditional technique from Lucknow, known for its delicacy and refinement — is scattered across the fabric in soft, tonal stitches that catch the light without shouting for attention. This is the kind of craftsmanship that feels quietly luxurious: intricate, soulful, and unmistakably Indian.

When I wore it back home, people kept asking me where it was from. That response — spontaneous and warm — made something click. This was exactly what Alvica was created for: pieces you fall in love with unexpectedly, that feel like part of a story. So I returned to source it directly for the collection. It’s the only piece that wasn’t designed by us, but in many ways, it shaped the vision for everything that followed.

The rest of the collection was designed and produced in Jaipur, in collaboration with a small, incredibly skilled team. Some fabrics were sourced ready-made, others we developed from scratch — creating original prints and colour palettes that reflect the mood and identity of the city itself. The collection is not just made in India — it is made from India. Every fabric comes from the country’s textile heartlands. Every detail, from the custom wood blocks to the hand embroidery on the Camellia dress, carries a piece of its culture forward.

There are trees and flowers in nearly every design — a nod to the nature that surrounds everyday life in India. The fabrics are soft, breathable, many of them organic. They're made to feel like a second skin, light enough for hot days and vibrant enough to turn heads. I wanted these pieces to feel effortless, but also bold — something you reach for when you want to feel like yourself, but brighter.

Each piece in The India Edit was designed with that effortless summer rhythm in mind — the kind of dressing that feels instinctive, joyful, and beautifully unforced. There’s a freedom to warm-weather style: it’s lighter, more intuitive, and never overthought. These are clothes you can slip into at sunrise and still feel perfect in long after the sun goes down — whether you’re barefoot on the beach, dressing them up with bold earrings, or tying on a scarf for a cooler evening breeze. That sense of ease and adaptability was woven into every design.

What makes this collection especially meaningful is that it’s the first. It holds all the emotion and inspiration of that initial journey — the start of Alvica. And I hope that when you wear it, you feel some of that too: the warmth of Jaipur, the joy of discovery, and the beauty of a craft that speaks across borders.