Work in progress
Muhammad Ali
LahoreZardozi & Dabka · 32 years
“My father taught me when I was twelve. Now my son works beside me.”
The Craft
Every thread has a name behind it.
Handmade is an easy claim. This page is the evidence: the people, the techniques, and the four months between a sketch and a gown.
Meet the Hands
Not “our artisans.” These artisans.
Every Begum piece carries the name and city of the karigar who made it. These are the masters whose work you are actually buying.
Work in progress
Fatima Tariq
KarachiResham · 18 years
“Silk thread is like painting. Every color tells a different story.”
Work in progress
Rabia Anwar
LahoreTilla · 22 years
“The finest tilla needs the steadiest hands. This art taught me patience.”
The Techniques
Five embroidery languages, one atelier
Persia, carried through the Mughal courts
Zardozi
Gold and silver thread built up over padding, often set with pearls and stones. The most regal technique in the atelier — and the slowest.
8–14 weeks on a full bridal lehenga
Punjab atelier tradition
Dabka
Coiled metal wire stitched into dimensional, spring-like motifs that catch light from every angle. It gives a baraat lehenga its depth.
6–10 weeks alongside zardozi
Kashmir & Punjab
Tilla
Fine metallic thread for borders and edging — lighter than zardozi, equally luminous. The quiet detail you notice only when it moves.
2–4 weeks for borders and dupatta edges
South Asia, Mughal period
Resham
Silk thread with a matte finish, used for florals, gradients, and color no metal can reach. This is where a mehndi piece gets its joy.
4–8 weeks depending on density
Rajasthan & Punjab festive tradition
Gota
Woven gold ribbon appliqué, folded and stitched into borders and motifs. Festive, light, and made to dance in — the mehndi-night signature.
1–3 weeks for trims and accents
From Thread to Gown
Six stages. You see photos at every one that matters.
This is where the staged-payment promise gets its proof: your approval, against real photographs, is what moves a piece from one stage to the next.
01
Sketch & consultation
Silhouette, neckline, and motif direction agreed with your designer — in person or over video.
02
Fabric selection
Base fabric chosen from swatches. Diaspora brides receive swatches by post before anything is cut.
Photo approval — 30% payment confirms your order
03
Base construction
The garment is cut and structured — kali panels, can-can, and lining built before a single motif is placed.
04
Hand embroidery
Your named karigar executes the motif work by hand. The longest stage, and the reason the piece is yours alone.
Mid-production photos — approve before the 40% stage
05
Fitting & adjustment
Guided fittings — in the atelier or remotely against your measurement profile — until drape and movement feel right.
06
Final quality check
Every hook, weight, and thread-end inspected before the piece is packed in a preservation garment bag.
Final photos — the last 30% is due only now
Materials & Sourcing
Plainly stated, because it should be
Fabrics
Raw silk, organza, and velvet sourced from established Pakistani mills we have worked with for over a decade.
Threads & metals
Zari and dabka wire sourced regionally from specialist suppliers — the same houses our karigars' families have always used.
Fair work
Karigars are paid per commission at rates they set with us, credited by name, and never anonymised behind the brand.
