Ideally, this is a piece you buy straight from the maker (maybe while on your hols). Look for artisan labels like slow-fashion brand Kardo (see picture, above), which uses traditional techniques, including Shibori and Chikankari embroidery and collaborates with handloom-weaving communities throughout India. Similarly, Kartik Kumra’s Delhi-based label Kartik Research aims to put forgotten Indian crafts back on the fashion map.
The LVMH prize semi-finalist counts Lewis Hamilton and Kendrick Lamar as fans. Find his shirts at Selfridges and Mr Porter. B Corp certified label Farm Rio’s all-over embroidered beauty (5, below) from its unisex edit is a real talking point and also comes in matching trousers. Wax London’s embroidered shirts included a rose design, palm tree and a vintage-look blue daisy (3, below). And Steven Stokey Daley offers a selection of one-of-a-kind upcycled tablecloth shirts in his Orange Label collection via his website (ssdaley.com, from £375). Current styles include trailing greenery and florals.
If you’re so inclined, follow his lead and have a go with a pattern from emporia-fabric.co.uk (£18) and scour Etsy and eBay for vintage embroidered tablecloths to use as your fabric.