The atelier

National Award for handloom revival, 2019. Trained under Abu Jani and never stopped loving zardozi.

“Handwork is slow. That is the point.”

30 years, 10,000 lehengas. Imran can cut a 12-kali without a paper pattern — chalk, eye, memory.

Leads 22 karigars. Her adda fills the back room with quiet talk and gold thread. Every zardozi leaf passes her palm.

Stylist for 3 Filmfare covers. Makes a bride look like herself, only more — drape first, jewellery second.