The Divine Kingdom by Ashdeen Lilaowala explores the intersection of Parsi Gara embroidery, Zoroastrian mythology and contemporary fashion. The collection takes inspiration from the Zoroastrian creation myth of Mashya and Mashyana, the first man and woman, who emerge from a single seed before becoming distinct beings with souls bestowed by Ahura Mazda. This moment of creation becomes the conceptual starting point for a collection that celebrates nature as sacred, with animals, birds, plants, aquatic life and celestial elements portrayed as guardians of creation.
At its heart is a fresh interpretation of the visual vocabulary of the Parsi Gara. While floral imagery has traditionally dominated Gara embroidery, Lilaowala turns his attention to fauna, bringing roosters, fish, pomegranates, trees and celestial bodies into intricate compositions filled with movement and symbolism. The collection also reimagines the Indian royal Shikargah through a distinctly Parsi lens, creating a dialogue between two rich textile traditions.
Research into Zoroastrian iconography and sacred texts informed the collection’s imagery. A Zoroastrian prayer celebrating the waters, plants, earth, sky, stars, moon, sun and all forms of animal life captures the expansive worldview behind the designs. Rather than treating these motifs merely as decorative elements, Lilaowala positions them within a larger narrative of creation, reverence for nature and cultural memory.
The collection also seeks to bring Parsi heritage to a contemporary audience through Indo-western silhouettes designed for both women and men. Its appeal extends beyond the Parsi community to a growing audience of textile enthusiasts and collectors interested in handcrafted luxury and stories of provenance.
For Lilaowala, the Gara is more than an embroidery tradition—it is a repository of memory and mythology. He hopes The Divine Kingdom will encourage audiences to look deeper into Zoroastrian stories while contributing to the continued preservation and evolution of Parsi craft.
The collection is available at Ashdeen stores in New Delhi and Mumbai, at Ashdeen at Anahita in Hyderabad, and online on request.
Read the full story that first appeared in The New Indian Express dated Oct 18, 2026 here:
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