In the Indian textile industry, every colour, motif, and craft has a story of learned practices and techniques passed down the generations. Hand embroidery is a craft form where an artisan’s hand moves in rhythm with the cloth; generating exquisite patterns and designs. Here, we celebrate the work of Mr. Asif Shaikh, one of India’s most accomplished and acclaimed embroidery and textile experts and founder of CDS Art Foundation, a movement that aims to take Indian handcrafted textiles to the world stage alongside the best global brands. In addition to recognition for his work in embroidery, he is also the creative visionary behind Walking Hand - in – Hand, Working Hand-in-Hand, as well as the curator for his experiential exhibits around the world. Asif regularly speaks at textile forums in around the world and continues to mentor artisans and crafts people all over the country.

Ahmedabad’s textile industry is represented by unique and diverse voices; but few resonate with the passion of cultural craftsmanship as deeply as Asif Shaikh. Born and raised in a middle-class family, Asif started embroidery as a hobby at an early age and without formal guidance. After a diploma in Interior Designing from the School of Interior Design at CEPT University, he realized embroidery wasn't just a hobby - it was his calling. Embarking on a journey of needle and thread led him towards exploration of weaving techniques, dyeing processes,and understanding modern tools and techniques to bring textiles to life.

In 2002, Asif Shaikh opened a studio where he practiced with artisans and revived techniques like aari and zardozi, specializing in intricate details with careful supervision. The vision was to never replicate history but learn from it to create contemporary masterpieces. In the era of mass production, his studio stands to be a living example of craftsmanship, with delicate details inspired by nature.

In 2017, Asif Shaikh founded the Craft Design Society (CDS) Arts Foundation to preserve, nurture, and highlight India’s rich textile heritage. As Shaikh says: “CDS aims to bridge the gap between traditional and modern, hand crafted and high-tech, and global and local skills. Innovation doesn't mean changing the way things are done; it's about enriching what already exists to inspire future generations.” Expressing concern over 

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