Embrace the Opulence: Indian Embroidery Takes Center Stage in Global Fashion at the
CVAD Gallery
High Fashion on View
The magic of shimmering sequins, intricate beadwork, and delicate embroidery elevates
everyday garments into extraordinary fashion statements. These sophisticated techniques
have captivated fashion lovers worldwide, yet few know their origin — India, the birthplace
of these dazzling surface designs.
“Labor of Luxury: Embroidery from India to the World” is a CVAD Gallery exhibition
that celebrates the artistry of Indian artisans, showcasing high-fashion garments
adorned with intricate surface motifs. Featuring over 30 exquisite designs by renowned
Indian and Euro-American fashion luminaries such as Ashish Gupta, Oscar de la Renta,
Naeem Khan, Mary McFadden, Todd Oldham, Dries Van Noten, and Vera Wang, this exhibition
invites you to explore the creativity, craftsmanship, and labor behind these luxurious
creations.
Exhibition
“Labor of Luxury: Embroidery from India to the World”
Oct. 1, 2024–Feb. 1, 2025
Exhibition Reception: Oct. 24, 2024, 5–7 p.m.; 5:30 p.m.: Remarks by Ashish Gupta, fashion designer and Annette Becker, TFC director
UNT College of Visual Arts and Design Gallery, Art Building, Room 160, 1201 W. Mulberry,
Denton, Texas
Free | Open to the Public
A Conversation with Designer Ashish Gupta
Oct. 23, 6 p.m.
Patterson-Appleton Arts Center
400 E Hickory St, Denton, TX 76201
Organized by the UNT College of Visual Arts and Design Galleries and Texas Fashion
Collection with support from the UNT Mary Jo and V. Lane Rawlins Fine Arts Series
and the Greater Denton Arts Council.
Exhibition Reception
Oct. 24, 2024, 5–7 p.m.
5:30 p.m.: Remarks by Ashish Gupta, fashion designer, UNT Dean Karen Hutzel, CVAD, and Annette Becker, TFC director
CVAD Gallery, Art Building, Room 160, 1201 W. Mulberry, Denton, Texas
Free | Open to the Public | Complimentary food and beverages
Dress: Cocktail attire, especially with sequins and embellishments, is encouraged but not
required!
Registration is encouraged, not required, through Eventbrite.
Gallery Hours
Tuesday through Saturday, Noon to 5 p.m., and
Thursday, Noon to 8 p.m.
Sunday–Monday: Closed
For university closures and additional information, visit the CVAD Hours and CVAD Gallery web pages.
More about the Exhibition
Curated from the nationally recognized Texas Fashion Collection, an archive of nearly
20,000 garments and accessories housed at the UNT College of Visual Arts and Design,
the exhibition highlights the fusion of tradition and innovation in fashion. It is
a tribute to the artisans whose skillful hands bring designers’ visions to life.
donors, designer Ashish Gupta, the Mercedes T. Bass Charitable Corporation, the Denton
Visual Arts Center, and the UNT Mary Jo and V. Lane Rawlins Fine Arts Series.
For those eager to delve deeper into the world of Indian embroidery and its global
influence, contact Annette Becker, director of the Texas Fashion Collection, at cvad.TFC@unt.edu.
Prepare to be enchanted by the opulent world of Indian embroidery, where luxury and
craftsmanship intertwine!
Image Descriptions
1. Detail photograph of dark blue velour fabric with an arching motif created with
various crystals, beads, and sequins in light blue, silver, and iridescent pinks and
blues. The motif includes an arch culminating in a round motif with hearts and lines
of beads radiating towards another motif resembling a planet with rings. The arch
contains half-circles of silver sequins, and above them are almond-shaped motifs resembling
mandalas.
2. A striking photograph of a full-length dark blue velour dress crafted from fabric
and sequins, adorned with oversized swirling motifs in silver, light green, and pink.
The dress is elegantly displayed on a white mannequin against a pristine white backdrop.
Image credit: Manish Arora, dress with embellishments, Fall 2017, TFC purchase.
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