Our journey is to bring the historical craft of Chikankari to the contemporaneous.
400 years old craft of ‘Chikankari’ embroidery restored to its former glory in the
City of Nawabs - Lucknow.
Lucknow Chikankari Emporium was established in the year 1949 by Shri Bachulal Kapoor (ex Treasurer and Investing Agent at Central Bank of India). His vision was to bring India’s oldest and richest craft to the fore. Later in the year 1990 our first showroom was embarked by his son Vijay Kumar Kapoor in Chowk, Lucknow for our valuable retail and wholesale customers. And now our third generation, Anubhav Kapoor is setting a benchmark in accelerating the firm to new heights.
The craft of chikankari flourished in India in the 17th century by Jahagir’s consort Nur Jahan. Although Chikakari isn’t native to India and its origin still remains a mystery, yet Mughals who ruled India adopted and owned Chikankari as the most traditional embroidery style. Later in the 18th and 19th century Lucknow became the Chikankari Hub in India.
In Lucknow's chikankari work there aren't any articles of clothing that don't utilize floral motif themes. Because of the solid impact of Persian style on this specialty, floral & fauna have been a staple in Chikankari structures. The kinds of blossoms (including flowers, stem, leaves and Paisley themes), just as their stylizations, have fluctuated all the fashion trends as an ideal opportunity to stay aware of design patterns, yet the value of motifs in chikankari embroidery remained fairly intricate and delicate.
Shri Bachulal Kapoor with his vision to revive the ancient art, started working with artisans and manufacturers to rejuvenate the treasured craft of chikankari.
The artisans associated with Lucknow Chikan Emporium are knowledgeable and experienced. Followed by the generations, our artisans have been practicing the art of chikankari since Nawabs ruled Awadh (now Lucknow). Chikankari as a craft has become their recognition and source of income. Our label is driven by these artisans and karigars.