With a background in French Literature, Malavika Shivakumar forged a friendship with Jean-François Lesage and Patrick Savouret, which resulted in the creation of Vastrakala & Lesage Interiors. The company has been involved in projects which maintain the highest standards of craftsmanship in hand embroidery. Some of their notable works include those for museums and public institutions, such as the Rashtrapati Bhavan in India, the Decorative Arts Museum at Paris’ Louvre, the World Monument Fund, and the Opera of Monte Carlo. Today, the firm’s collaborations with the world’s leading designers have produced outstanding works that contribute to the language of contemporary decorative arts. This also bridges several cultural gaps – such as that between South Indian craftspeople and European designers. This environment that Shivakumar has established has sustained the quality of Vastrakala’s products and has increased interest in the craft of hand embroidery.