How many stories can a needle and thread tell? Embroidery is an ancient art, rooted in centuries-old traditions, that continues to captivate the world’s leading couturiers. In an era defined by personalisation, it has returned to the forefront, enriching fabrics with a romantic, vibrant and deeply narrative soul.

One of the most authoritative names in this realm of artisanal excellence is Amal Embroideries, a maison founded in Mumbai in 2002 and devoted to preserving and reinventing the grand tradition of Indian embroidery. Today, Amal collaborates with some of the most prestigious haute couture houses, as well as artists, theatre and film productions, distinguishing itself through creations of exceptional technical and creative finesse. At its Italian atelier in Rome, the maison safeguards a collection of thousands of embroidery samples.

“Our team of creatives and master artisans works across every expression of hand embroidery, from the most traditional language to the most experimental. We constantly push the boundaries of this discipline through ongoing research into techniques and materials, as well as through innovation,” says Amal.

A Contest Enriched by Seminars and Workshops

Alongside this centre of excellence, third-year students of the Fashion Design & Accessories course at Istituto Marangoni Milano are preparing for an exciting creative challenge: to design original embroidery concepts for at least three garments from their final-year collection. As Amal specifies, proposals must demonstrate “innovation, artisanal mastery and technical feasibility”.

To support students in developing their projects - due by 30 April - Istituto Marangoni Milano will host a cycle of seminars from February to April that will explore the many facets of this discipline. In March, Bavesh Gupta, CEO of Amal, will address sustainability in embroidery. In April, Morwenna Darwell, Creative Consultant at Amal Embroidery, will share her professional journey from the corporate world (with Gucci) to her current role as a supplier with Amal. Also in April, Adrien James Mimnagh, Embroidery Design Consultant for Balenciaga, will examine the role of traditional craftsmanship in contemporary design.

The programme will also include two in-house workshops: Irene Festa, Fashion Designer & Fashion Design Programme Leader at Istituto Marangoni Milano, will lead a session on graphic design and embroidery rendering while Janet Sartor, IM Tutor, will trace the history of embroidery through an analysis of a fashion case study.

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A Journey to Mumbai for the Winner

A truly special prize awaits the six finalists, whose names will be announced on 20 May. In June, they will be invited to Amal Embroidery’s Italian headquarters in Rome. The author of the best project—comprising three garments—will travel to Mumbai over the summer to see their designs brought to life by the expert hands of Amal’s master artisans.

Working alongside them, the winner will experience a unique immersion into the heart of an art form that, beyond its technical virtuosity, expresses poetry and emotion like few others can.