Khanna, who is the founder and director of Milaaya Embroideries, said that her company's export business is down 70% on the previous year. Milaaya Embroideries, for instance, specializes in intricate styles of hand embroidery called "aari" and a technique called "zardozi," which uses gold, silver and metallic threads. A craftsman works on a face mask at Milaaya Embroideries. Amid disappearing orders from luxury labels, the company has had to find new ways to generate income and pay employees. According to Shefalee Vasudev, editor-in-chief of the Indian fashion magazine Voice of Fashion, India's lax labor laws have made it all too easy for manufacturers to cut artisans and craftspeople loose as business disappeared.

Source: CNN May 02, 2021 23:26 UTC