I went on a trip to Mumbai, India, earlier this year.
I learned more about India's rich history in textiles and art.
My appreciation of fashion brought me closer to my Indian heritage.
Earlier this year, I went to Mumbai, India. I've been traveling to India annually to visit family since I can remember, and as I got older, began to visit my best friend from college.
As a fashion writer, I've concentrated mainly on theluxury market and on my trip, learned of India's contribution to it.
I'm British South Asian, so though my heritage is Indian, I was born and brought up in the UK. I always struggled with finding ways to bridge the gap between these two cultures.
This was my first time visiting India since starting my writing career, and in the spirit of finding inspiration, I planned to see as many culturally stimulating places as possible. Luckily, there's creativity to be found on every corner.
I felt disconnected from both of my cultures growing up.
The author as a child.
Priya Raj / Business Insider
I'm not alone in feeling disconnected from my Indian culture. I've heard similar stories from the Indian diaspora across the world, particularly while working in the creative industry.
I grew up in the UK, but didn't feel totally connected to British culture either. There's no exact moment I can pinpoint but I was always aware that I didn't look like most of the people around me, I didn't understand pop culture references because wasn't watching the same movies at home, and I didn't know certain artists because I wasn't listening to the same music.
On the flip side, I felt too disconnected from my Indian heritage to totally fit into that culture either.
During my trip to Mumbai, I found that traditional crafts told a story about the resilience of Indian people.
An artisan creating a piece of handmade silk in Mumbai, India.
Priya Raj / Business Insider
Craft in India tells the stories of generations of artisans, with handicraft techniques being passed down and perfected over decades.
While attending the NMACC opening in Mumbai, I met Shri Mohammad Haroon, a master artisan with over 40 years of experience.
He is a Banarasi weaver, using a handwoven silk indigenous to India. It can take months to weave a 9-yard piece and can be purchased for under $500.
Stories like his represent an important story about India reclaiming its rights. The British Empire colonized India between 1858 and 1947, according to the BBC. During this time, extra charges were introduced on exports of Indian-made goods, and instead, textiles from Britain were imported into India which were cheaper, according to the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Not only could Indian craftsmen not compete, it significantly stunted the growth of this industry, the Victoria & Albert Museum added. Only recently have Indian brands and the wider community of craftsmen been able to reach a global audience.
India’s history of textiles goes back thousands of years.
A tailor at work in Mumbai, India.
Priya Raj / Business Insider
One thing that I've always enjoyed about my culture, among others, is the fashion.
I have a deep appreciation for handcrafted textiles and artisanal products from around the world, which likely comes from my heritage.
India has a closer relationshipwith textiles than many other countries, owing to it being a major exporter of natural fabrics such as cotton and silk, according to the Victoria & Albert Museum.
European designers have taken inspiration from India for decades.
A design from the Dior Fall 2023 show in Mumbai, India.
Priya Raj / Business Insider
My trip to Mumbai fell at the same time as Dior's fashion show in the city, which was buzzing about a European fashion house crediting India for inspiration.
The New York Times reported in 2020 that European luxury design houses including Dior were outsourcing supply chains to hand embroidery factories in India paying low wages, and without crediting them. LVMH, the conglomerate behind Dior, told The Times it took the claims "very seriously" but declined to comment at the time before looking into them further.
Seeing the images of the Dior fashion show made me feel proud of these two worlds I know so well coming together to celebrate fashion and the arts.
The show started an important dialogue about the nuances of a "made in India" label, and what that means to the fashion community in the West.
In an interview with Vogue India, Dior creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri said working on the show in India was about celebrating the value of textiles and embroidery in India.
In India, fashion is accessible for everyone.
The author shopping for textiles in a market in Mumbai.
Priya Raj / Business Insider
Shopping as an average person in India is not like anywhere else. In the UK, shopping on a modest budget gets you a limited degree of design or customization, whereas in India, the possibilities are endless.
I was a child when I first learned of haute couture and didn't understand why it was special because on my trips to India, I had always purchased custom-made and made-to-measure clothes.
I appreciate that in India, there's no financial entry requirement to having custom-made clothes. Prices are moderate if you're willing to design and get the clothes made by a tailor.
However, top-tier brands in India rival the prices of luxury brands in Europe, but in my opinion, the craftsmanship far exceeds that of Italian and French designers.
Some great examples of Indian designers are Dhruv Kapoor for luxury streetwear and Malie for Scandinavian-inspired silhouettes.
Not only did my trip make me appreciate my culture, it made me prouder to be Indian.
Business Insider's reporter in Mumbai, India.
Priya Raj / Business Insider
Seeing the progress of the fashion industry in India and its increased importance on a global platform meant I left feeling both liberated and validated, and inspired to continue the dialogue.
I wouldn't go as far as saying I wasn't always proud to be Indian, but it made me more comfortable in being outspoken about this aspect of my heritage.
Finding a part of the culture I could resonate with has been instrumental in helping me find peace with my identity as a British South Asian.
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