Inspired by 19th century Kashmir shawls, this exquisite velvet fabric features the timeless charm of paisley, blending classic motifs with contemporary design, in six exciting colourways. The intricate pattern and varied hues reflect the artistic mastery of these shawls, made from the finest pashmina wool. This luxurious fabric will bring heritage style and personality to both traditional and modern interiors.
Threads of India Opulent Velvets
Explore India's unique textile heritage
The Threads of India Opulent Velvets collection brings the rich artistic heritage of India to life through seven luxurious velvet designs. Inspired by objects in the V&A's renowned South Asia collection, these fabrics blend intricate Mughal and Indian artistry with the sumptuous texture of velvet. This collection reflects centuries of textile tradition, including 18th-century palampore bed hangings, intricate 19th-century ikat weaves, and timeless paisleys, reimagined for modern interiors. By combining these historic designs with velvet, the collection introduces a new level of depth, texture and storytelling into upholstery.
Tree of Life
Inspired by an 18th century bed hanging in the V&A collection, this velvet upholstery fabric reinterprets the exquisite palampore patterns, where hand-painted English, Chinese and Persian design elements were all merged onto cotton fabrics, known as chintz. This reinterpretation pays homage to the highly coveted chintz fabrics from the Coromandel Coast of southeastern India, once prized by the British for their elegance and used as bed hangings and covers. Now, these timeless patterns bring an element of exotic luxury to contemporary interiors.
Combining these many textile traditions onto velvet has produced a harmonious collection of elegant and luxurious designs.
Forest Creatures
This design is based on a 17th century Bengali embroidery from the V&A collection. Made in Satgaon, textiles such as these once adorned the beds of Portuguese and English nobility. Our print faithfully reproduces the original textile, which depicts intricate animals in tussah silk with figures in Portuguese dress. It beautifully captures the original's detailed craftsmanship and historical significance, reflecting the prestige of Portuguese patrons, trading from Satgaon between the mid-16th and mid-17th centuries.
Andhra Weave
Inspired by a mid-19th century ikat-woven blouse fabric from Andhra Pradesh, this versatile printed velvet captures the vibrant patterns and intricate craftsmanship of traditional ikat weaving. Perfect for adding cultural richness and a heritage feel to modern interiors.
Each fabric in the Threads of India Opulent Velvets collection tells a story of cultural richness and artisanal excellence.
Regal Poppy
Inspired by the magnificent ‘summer carpets’ of Mughal palaces, this velvet fabric design features the classic poppy motif from Shah Jahan’s reign (1628-58) taken from an immense printed and dyed cotton floorspread in the V&A collection.
Reflecting the opulent and intricate style of Mughal textile art, this design blends seamlessly with both traditional and contemporary décor, bringing the beauty of an indoor garden into your home. Perfect for upholstery, it offers timeless elegance and historical richness.
Ikat Mirage
Ikat Mirage, inspired by a mid-19th century satin weave cloth from the V&A, draws inspiration from the traditional 'Mashru' technique of blending cotton weft and silk warp. The vibrant and colourful patterns produced made them a popular choice for garments, this velvet design brings this history and beauty into contemporary interiors.
Lahore Dynasty
This exquisite upholstery fabric pays homage to an opulent Mughal carpet in the V&A collection, capturing the essence of the past while embracing the present. The resplendent pattern of animals alongside a coat of arms comes from the Fremlin Carpet, probably made in Lahore (now in Pakistan), a well-known location for carpet manufacturing in this period. The carpet was ordered by William Fremlin, who worked for the East India Company in India from 1626–44, finishing his career there as the President of the Council of Surat.
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