The Heart Behind Manjari

I grew up in Lucknow — a city where Chikankari is not merely an embroidery tradition, but a quiet part of everyday life and cultural memory.

Growing up, Chikankari was always around me. We wore it, admired it, and associated it with grace and comfort. Yet there was also a time when the craft seemed to slowly fade into the background. Authentic hand embroidery was declining, artisans struggled for recognition, and the market gradually became flooded with mass-produced imitations.

The revival of Lucknavi Chikankari through collective artisan initiatives and the recognition of its GI (Geographical Indication) status became an important turning point in preserving the identity of this centuries-old craft and protecting the hands behind it.

Over time, my relationship with Chikankari became deeply personal.

As someone who genuinely loved wearing handcrafted Indian textiles, I often felt there was a gap in the market. On one side were very traditional pieces — heavily embroidered sarees and garments reserved mostly for occasions. On the other were mass-produced versions lacking the refinement, fabric quality, and thoughtful design that modern wardrobes seek today.

I kept wondering:

Why couldn’t Chikankari become a more effortless, contemporary part of everyday life?

Why couldn’t handcrafted embroidery exist on beautiful, breathable fabrics that feel good against the skin and naturally belong in modern wardrobes and homes ?

Why did elegance always have to mean excessive embroidery?

These questions slowly became the foundation of Manjari.

At Manjari, the idea was never to create fast fashion. It was to create thoughtful, handcrafted pieces rooted in slow fashion, mindful craftsmanship, and timeless wearability.

Instead of covering entire fabrics with dense embroidery, I became deeply interested in the idea of motif placement — using delicate handcrafted embroidery in more intentional, design-led ways. Sometimes a single thoughtfully placed motif can feel far more elegant than excess.

I also found myself experimenting constantly:
with fabrics,
with textures,
with coloured threads,
with softer silhouettes,
and with embroidery placements inspired by both heritage patterns and contemporary aesthetics.

I wanted Chikankari to feel lighter, more versatile, and more personal.

Every design at Manjari begins with one simple question:

Would I genuinely love wearing this myself?

If the answer is no, it is never created.

The same philosophy extends to our menswear and home textiles as well. Every fabric, silhouette, texture, and embroidery detail is chosen through personal comfort, usability, and emotional connection rather than trend-driven production.

This approach also meant choosing craftsmanship over scale.

Unlike mass manufacturing where a handful of designs are endlessly repeated, I found joy in creating individuality. Most Manjari pieces are developed in limited quantities, and many remain one-of-a-kind expressions through variations in fabric, motifs, threadwork, colours, or embroidery placement.

To me, handcrafted clothing should feel personal — never mechanical.

Over the years, this journey has also brought me closer to the artisan communities whose hands preserve this heritage every single day. Behind every embroidered piece are families, stories, struggles, resilience, and extraordinary skill passed through generations.

Working closely with artisans has deeply shaped my understanding of craft beyond design alone. It has reinforced my belief in fair value, respectful collaboration, and sustaining craftsmanship with dignity.

At Manjari, we believe true luxury lies not in excess, but in authenticity, comfort, mindful craftsmanship, and human connection.

Today, Manjari continues to evolve as a contemporary Chikankari and handcrafted textile label inspired by Lucknow’s heritage while embracing modern design sensibilities.

Each collection carries its own mood and emotional identity:

Vidushi

Inspired by quiet wisdom and refined simplicity, Vidushi is created for women who embody grace with confidence — a collection that balances thoughtful craftsmanship with timeless elegance for meaningful everyday dressing.

Surmayi

Inspired by the softness of dusk and poetic stillness, Surmayi celebrates fluid silhouettes, muted beauty, and effortless sophistication — designed for intimate evenings, graceful gatherings, and moments of calm elegance

Urvashi

An exploration of understated glamour, Urvashi brings together handcrafted elegance for evenings, formal gatherings, and occasions that call for quiet sophistication.

Chitralekha

Inspired by festivity, celebration, and artistic expression, Chitralekha embraces richer textures, intricate detailing, and statement handcrafted pieces for weddings and celebrations.

Hansini

Rooted in serenity and softness, Hansini reflects the calm beauty of ivory tones, delicate craftsmanship, and timeless simplicity.

At its heart, Manjari remains a deeply personal journey — one shaped by Lucknow, inspired by Indian textiles, guided by craftsmanship, and created for those who continue to value slow fashion, handmade artistry, and thoughtful design in a rapidly changing world.

Founder & Promoter

Shalini Mishra