India's artisans find a runway to milan design week
Jaipur's workshops, traditionally known for their meticulous craftsmanship, are experiencing a surge of global attention thanks to the Shakti Design Residency. This innovative program is forging a direct pipeline from India’s skilled artisans to the prestigious Salone dei Gruppi at Milan Design Week 2026, blurring the lines between heritage craft and contemporary design.
A month-long immersion in tradition and innovation
The Shakti residency, now in its second year, pairs international designers with India’s leading craftspeople—stone carvers, metalworkers, and wood artisans—for an intensive month-long collaboration. It’s not merely an exchange program; it’s a production incubator, resulting in new bodies of work deeply rooted in Indian materials and techniques. Polish artist Zofia Sobolewska Ursic, for example, is currently working alongside the master technicians at Frozen Music, a bespoke stone atelier, meticulously slicing white onyx to create a cabinet that appears almost weightless—a feat nearly impossible in a conventional studio setting.
The impetus behind Shakti came from Shalini Misra, an interior designer and philanthropist who recognized a disconnect in how Indian craft is perceived globally. “For years, Indian craft has been relegated to a separate category, seen as distinct from contemporary design,” Misra explains. “But I’ve encountered makers whose mastery of materials and process is truly exceptional.” Her vision was to showcase this exceptionalism on a global stage, moving beyond isolated craft experiments to integrate these creations into the broader design calendar.
The program’s debut at Milan Design Week last year generated palpable enthusiasm, fostering a climate of confidence amongst Indian artisans. “There’s a real willingness now to assert that our knowledge systems, our material traditions, our aesthetic sensibility—these are world-class, and always have been,” Misra stated.
Beyond 'made in india': redefining the narrative
Shalini Misra is actively challenging the notion of 'Made in India' stereotypes. Rather than erasing the rich tradition, she encourages genuine exchange, pairing designers from diverse backgrounds and allowing the creative process to evolve organically. The resulting pieces defy easy categorization; they aren’t simply ‘Indian design,’ nor are they European designs with an exotic veneer.
The influence is bidirectional. Kulapat Yantrasast, a jury member and architect designing Thailand’s new Dib Bangkok Museum, notes, “There’s a remarkable willingness and ability to change—a desire to be influenced by India, to learn, and to collaborate.” This openness is evident in the varied projects emerging from the residency. Daniel Garber, collaborating with Klove Studio, is experimenting with handblown glass forms rooted in India’s ancient glassmaking traditions, while Victoire de Brantes weaves a landscape of wool dyed with hyperlocal Rajasthani pigments. Rodolfo Agrella's work involves suspending hammered brass forms, and Tadeáš Podracký and Maria Tyakina are transforming traditional cane-working techniques from Nagaland into sculptural pieces.
These limited-edition pieces will be available through Misra’s online platform, Curio.Space, further amplifying the reach of these unique collaborations.
The Shakti Design Residency isn’t just a showcase of exceptional craftsmanship; it’s a testament to the power of cross-cultural collaboration and a significant step towards redefining the global design landscape. The results, set to debut at the Alcova fair during Milan Design Week 2026, promise to be a compelling demonstration of this transformative exchange, proving that the future of design lies in embracing and celebrating the world’s diverse creative traditions.