Discover the tradition of Gujarat’s handcrafted work on ethnic wear- Mirror Work, Kutch Embroidery, Aari, Bandhani, and more.

Types of handcrafted embroidery in Gujarat

Gujarat is the state of vibrant colors. The handcrafted embroidery is the heritage of the state where every craft and stitch tells a story. If you are looking for handcrafted embroidery on ethnic wear in Gujarat, then knowing types of work on ethnic wear will help you choose the best style that truly matches your vibe. At Riva Designer, we bring the hard work of artisans to the world and preserve our culture through our royal traditional clothing collections.

Mirror work

This work originated from the Kutch and Saurashtra regions. In this technique, small round or shaped mirrors are hand-stitched onto fabric using colorful threads in chain stitch, herringbone, or buttonhole stitches. Traditional motifs are handcrafted, such as peacocks, flowers, and geometric borders on each garment. This is the art that takes time and effort. It is used on chaniya choli, lehengas, dupattas, and kedia jackets. 

Iconic for Navratri & weddings. Light-reflecting mirrors make outfits festive + photogenic. High search volume: mirror work lehenga choli. If you are coming to Gujarat, stop by the Riva Designer store in Naranpura, Ahmedabad, a perfect place for ethnic clothing.

Kutch Embroidery

This art originated from the Kutch district. It has six-plus sub-styles. The key styles include Suf, Kharek, Paako, and Rabari.

• Suf: Counted thread work, no pattern drawn. Creates geometric precision.
• Kharek: Similar to Suf but with tiny mirrors in the center
• Paako: Dense, solid filling with floral patterns, usually in black/maroon
• Rabari: Done by Rabari community — mirrors, beads, chain stitch with figurative motifs

The threads used in this work are silk floss in vibrant colors such as magenta, emerald, yellow, and black. 

This style is used on sarees, kurtas, jackets, bags, and home decor. 

Aari work/Zardosi

Aari work, also known as Zardosi, was influenced by Mughals. It is perfected in Surat and Ahemdabad. This work is done with a hooked needle called ‘Aari.’ A chain stitch is used to create intricate patterns. Zardosi uses gold/silver zari, sequins, and dabka. Traditional motifs are handcrafted, such as paisleys, Mughal florals, and vines. 

This work is used on lehengas, anarkalis, saree borders, and blouses. This art is premium and popular in the wedding trousseau category. 

Bandhani work with gota patti

Bandhani originated in Jamnagar, Bhuj, and Mandvi. The base is created by tie-dye—tiny dots formed by plucking the cloth with fingernails. Once dyed, artisans elevate it with gota patti, zari, mirror work, or Aari on the Bandhani base. It is a premium artwork. This craft is used on bandhani sarees, dupattas, and ghagra-cholis.

Rabari and Soof embroidery

 Rabari embroidery is done by the Rabari tribal community. It uses mirrors, beads, and bold chain stitch to create folk motifs—animals, dancers, and daily life. Perfect for boho-chic lehenga cholis and statement dupattas. 

Soof embroidery is done by Sodha Rajput and Meghwal communities of Kutch. It’s a surface satin stitch done from the reverse side—the artisan never sees the front while working. The result? Clean, sharp geometric patterns with no mirrors. It is the  pure thread of elegance.

Beadwork (Moti work)

Bead work originated from the Saurashtra region, especially Gondal and Bhavnagar. In this technique, tiny glass beads are hand-stitched onto fabric in dense, detailed patterns. It is often combined with mirror work to add extra shine and texture. Traditional motifs are handcrafted, such as flowers, vines, and geometric designs, on each garment. This is the art that takes time and patience.

It is used on chaniya cholis, kurtas, dupattas, belts, and purses. 

Katab Work

Appliqué work or Katab  originated from the desert regions of Kutch. In this technique, pieces of fabric are cut into shapes and hand-stitched onto the base cloth. The edges are outlined with bakhiya, or chain stitch, to give it a neat, finished look. Traditional motifs are handcrafted, such as elephants, camels, birds, and folk dancers, on each garment. This is the art that takes creativity and precision.

It is used on kurtas, skirts, jackets, quilts, and wall hangings.
It is loved because of its bold, boho-chic look with vibrant colors. Perfect for festive gatherings, Navratri, and Indo-Western fusion wear. At Riva Designer, we use appliqué work to bring royal traditional clothing with a playful, artistic touch to your wardrobe.

Gotapatti and Danka work

Gotapatti work is popular in the border areas of Rajasthan and Gujarat and is perfected in Surat. In this technique, gold or silver ribbons are cut into shapes and hand-stitched onto fabric to create floral and leaf motifs. Danka work uses flat, flexible metal pieces sewn to add shine. Traditional motifs are handcrafted, such as vines, butis, and borders, on each garment. This is the art that takes skill and detailing.

It is used on sarees, dupattas, anarkalis, and kurtas.
It is loved because of its rich, festive look with metallic shine. Perfect for celebrations, sangeet, and cultural events. 

Patola weaving 

Patola weaving originated from Patan, Gujarat. This is a double ikat technique where both warp and weft threads are tie-dyed before weaving. The process is so detailed that it takes months to complete one saree. Traditional motifs are handcrafted, such as parrots, flowers, elephants, and geometric patterns, on each garment. This is the art that takes time, skill, and heritage.

It is used on sarees, dupattas, and stoles.
This art is known as the “queen of silks,” Patola gives a rich, timeless look. Perfect for festive occasions, cultural events, and gifting. 

Ajrakh Work

Ajrakh work originated from the Kutch and Sindh regions. This is a block-printing technique using natural dyes like indigo, madder, and pomegranate. The cloth goes through 14–16 steps of washing, dyeing, printing, and drying. Traditional motifs are handcrafted, such as stars, trellises, and floral jaals, on each garment. This is the art that takes patience and precision.

It is used on sarees, kurtas, stoles, and dupattas. Earthy tones and geometric prints give a sober, elegant look. Perfect for daily wear, office ethnic, and sustainable fashion lovers.

Riva Designer brings the royal traditional clothing collection, the pieces of clothing handcrafted by artisans. The fashion that stands out during festivals. We ship across India and worldwide.

Contact us to book an appointment, and we will help you find your outfit that gives you the royal look and elegance.