Living in this country, it is not difficult to be reminded every day of the magic in the crafts and textiles of India. We see the variety wherever we go: from the foothills of the Himalayas to the tip of Kanyakumari. We wear them with ease in a mix of drapes and silhouettes. And we wear them everywhere: from sweet family get-togethers to grand sit-down dinners.

The Indian thread is something of an arterial lifeline that connects the spirit of this vast nation. We know this because we’ve had a small peek into its large universe of aesthetic brilliance. In the deepest alcoves of rural India, we learnt about the most sophisticated weaving techniques (the patola saris of Patan are as much a product of scientific ingenuity as indigenous dexterity); about the social structures embedded in the weaving patterns of the tribes of Nagaland; about the excruciating, loving labour of millions of minuscule mustard seeds tied in silk to create breathtaking bandhini and tie-dye fabrics in Gujarat and Rajasthan; about gold brocades from Benaras, temple-bordered Kanchipuram silks from Tamil Nadu, fragile jamavar from Kashmir and so much more that left us in awe and wonder at this forest of exquisite threads. With every region of India we travelled to, more layers of local crafts emerged. And we are aware of a cruel truth—we have merely skimmed the surface.

For Vogue’s Project Renaissance, I set off to some far-flung regions of India to hunt and gather stories and fabrics that were eventually gifted to high-fashion international labels, from Burberry to Gucci, Christian Louboutin to Salvatore Ferragamo. Each of these artists dove into the soul of the project and emerged with exquisite designs. You will see how inspiring these creations are, how forthright and free the spirit of creativity is, and most of all, how the designs are a powerful testimony to the advantage of marrying heritage with modernity.

These designs are an acknowledgement of the universal celebration of beautiful ideas; they are a validation of the ease with which international designers are able to inject their own design DNA into India’s timeless fabrics. It is as if Made in India, Made by India, Made for India are all the same thing. And now with Make in India, this is an opportunity to show the world that the strings that tug at our hearts are the very ones woven for our bodies.

1 /15 Photo: Matthew Shave Burberry for Maheshwari silk Photo: Matthew Shave Christian Louboutin for Kanchipuram silk Photo: Matthew Shave Missoni for Lucknowi chikankari Photo: Matthew Shave ETRO for Kashmiri jamawar & Gujarati bandhini Photo: Matthew Shave Roger Vivier for Assam silk Photo: Matthew Shave Alberta Ferretti for Kanchipuram silk Photo: Matthew Shave Blumarine for Kashmiri embroidery Photo: Matthew Shave DKNY for Bishnupur Baluchari silk Photo: Matthew Shave Bibhu Mohapatra for Bhuj mashru Photo: Matthew Shave Roberto Cavalli for Rajasthani bandhini Photo: Matthew Shave Tod's for Kanchipuram silk Photo: Matthew Shave Emilio Pucci for Lucknowi chikankari Photo: Matthew Shave Naeem Khan for Kanchipuram silk Photo: Matthew Shave Jimmy Choo for Benarasi brocade Photo: Matthew Shave Prabal Gurung for Benarasi brocade

Styled by Lorna McGee and Fabio Immediato. Hair: Ernesto Montenovo/My Management. Make-up: Florrie White/D+V Management. Manicure: Steph Mendiola/Caren. Model: Tali/Next Models