Snapshot

• Why Bareilly is iconic: Bareilly is globally known for Zardozi embroidery, a centuries-old art of metallic thread embellishment used in royal courts of the Mughals and Nawabs. This ODOP (One District One Product) craft is a high-skill cluster producing luxury bridalwear, couture ensembles, footwear, and accessories for export and domestic premium markets.
  
• Global market position: Zardozi is valued by luxury fashion houses, bespoke ateliers, and wedding couture designers worldwide, especially in the Middle East, Europe, and North America.
  
• Cluster identity: Over 25,000 artisans, many women-led units, keep this embroidery tradition alive, integrating handcrafting with modern design studios.
  

Product Range

• Fashion & Bridalwear: Lehenga-cholis, sarees, anarkalis, sherwanis, evening gowns, and couture dresses.
  
• Accessories: Clutches, handbags, belts, jewelry, footwear (juttis, mojaris), and headpieces.
  
• Luxury Décor: Wall panels, tapestries, cushion covers, table runners, and ceremonial textiles.
  
• Bespoke collaborations: Limited-edition runway pieces and high-fashion embellishment panels for Western brands.
  

Craft Technique & Materials

• Traditional process:
  
  • Design drawn on tracing paper and transferred to fabric via khaka technique.
    
  • Fabric is stretched on wooden frames (adda).
    
  • Artisans embroider with zari (metallic thread), gota patti, sequins, beads, crystals, and pearls.
    
• Materials:
  
  • Real gold/silver-plated zari, metallic wires, silk threads, velvet, georgette, chiffon, silk, and satin bases.
    
  • Contemporary collections use copper zari and synthetic threads for lighter, affordable lines.
    
• Design motifs: Mughal-inspired floral vines, paisleys, jaal work, geometric patterns, and Indo-Persian calligraphy.
  

Compliance & Certifications

• ODOP Recognition: Bareilly Zardozi is officially recognized under the One District One Product scheme for artisan branding, design innovation, and export promotion.
  
• Certification initiatives: GI-tag application process is in progress to safeguard heritage.
  
• Sustainability: Primarily handmade, low-carbon craft; natural fiber fabrics and azo-free dyeing available for eco-fashion.
  
• Export certifications: Leading exporters comply with OEKO-TEX®, GOTS, REACH, and ISO standards for eco-friendly and ethical fashion production.
  

Cluster Infrastructure

• Artisan density: Bareilly has over 20,000 households engaged in Zardozi embroidery, organized through cooperatives, NGOs, and family-led workshops.
  
• Support system:
  
  • Design workshops by NIFT and EPCH for pattern digitization and CAD sampling.
    
  • ODOP cluster funds for modern machinery, marketing, and export readiness.
    
• Market hubs: Shahamatganj, Pilibhit Road, and artisan belts in Bareilly serve as wholesale and export centers.
  
• Proximity advantage: Close to Lucknow (Chikankari hub), enabling multi-craft sourcing for bridal and couture buyers.
  

Production Timelines & MOQs

Stage	Lead Time
Swatch / Embroidery sample	5–7 days
Prototype garment	10–14 days (complex panels longer)
Bulk production	6–10 weeks (based on design density)
MOQ guidance	Bridalwear: 5–10 pcs/design; Accessories: 50–100 pcs/style; Panels: Custom

Branding & Packaging

• Branding options: Artisan-signed cards, QR-coded ODOP tags, embroidered monograms.
  
• Packaging:
  
  • Apparel: Acid-free tissue, muslin dust covers, moisture-barrier packaging.
    
  • Accessories: Foam inserts, silk-lined boxes, eco-paper labels.
    
• Luxury positioning: Storytelling with craft lineage and ODOP recognition adds premium value.
  

Quality Control (IndiaUnbox Framework)

• Embroidery checks: Stitch tightness, beadwork adhesion, zari plating quality, and finish consistency.
  
• Fabric integrity: Tear strength, colorfastness, and shrinkage tolerance testing.
  
• Metallic thread tests: Tarnish resistance and tensile strength checks for premium ranges.
  
• Final finishing: Edge sealing, thread clipping, and anti-tarnish packaging.
  

Price Drivers

• Zari type (pure vs imitation metallic), embroidery density (hours per piece), fabric base quality, embellishments (beads, crystals, semi-precious stones), and custom design exclusivity.
  

Buyer Confidence Signals

• Heritage craft: Zardozi is documented in Mughal archives and remains India’s most luxurious embroidery.
  
• Cluster scalability: From bespoke couture ateliers to high-volume export accessory units.
  
• Social impact: 70%+ artisan workforce is women; government programs support skill development and fair wages.
  

Global alignment: Zardozi complements the luxury wedding, slow fashion, and couture home décor markets worldwide.