Clio Peppiatt talks heritage, hand embroidery, and her growing connection with India

My conversation with designer Clio Peppiatt reminded me of how liberating it is to engage with the ones behind the seams because it’s never just another moment when you’re talking fashion with the minds that create it. Juggling through time zones and jet lag, the designer greeted me on a video call with such effortless warmth—sharing a whiff of the freezing weather in her hometown, London. We dove straight into her journey with craft and her upcoming presence in India with Galeries Lafayette.

Founded in 2015, Clio Peppiatt is lauded for balancing whimsy with intention, and as my conversation unfolded, it was only natural to conclude that the designer’s work is as thoughtful as enchanting. The designer’s story is a blend of the aughts, her ancestral roots, and her belief in magic. It’s this alchemy that makes every Clio Peppiatt piece feel alive. Each silhouette is nothing short of a canvas for her. Be it the celestial elements, the intricate beading, her exclusive bridal range, or Taylor Swift’s nod to the brand—all orbiting around the same captivating vision. Her signature whimsy has graced not just runways but also gained her a cult following of celebrities and fashion connoisseurs. Delving deeper into her evolving narrative, the designer takes us through her journey and growing resonance with India. 

Harper’s Bazaar: You come from a family where craft and artistry were passed down through generations, much like it happens in India. How has heritage shaped your creative process over the years?

Clio Peppiatt: I learned traditional embroidery techniques from both my grandmother and my mom. These are skills that have been passed down through the women in my family. They’re the whole reason behind the brand. So each piece starts with my hand drawings. When I’m drawing the motif to scale, I’m drawing it in the type of beads or embellishment I imagine. Then I play a very active role in choosing each embroidery material, the colour, etc. So rather than working with an embroidery designer on that aspect, I oversee the whole process, and there lies the identity of the brand. Then, as you mentioned, there’s a synergy with India. The country has such a rich heritage of traditional craft and is the very best place in the world for the embroidery and beading techniques that we work with as a brand. And with that in mind, the atelier we partner with has this same mission of protecting craft, which has really been the most important partnership for me and for the business to date.

HB: Your collections often draw from astrology and are brimming with celestial elements. What inspires you to take that route?

CP: Those themes symbolise timelessness and romanticism. Both of my parents are writers, so storytelling has always been a very big part of my life. And I think the stories of astrology are some of the most ancient, and they never lose their beauty or relevance.

HB: Your silhouettes and designs are considered iconic. Take us through your design process.

CP: I think the fact that each motif is illustrated by one person, something that I do personally, gives them their own recognisable handwriting, and that has built to that idea of feeling iconic. Although they are modern, I’m often told there’s a feeling of nostalgia to the pieces when we’re talking to customers and clients. That might be because of the elements of traditional craft—it gives them a nostalgic feel as well as being contemporary. As humans, we’re naturally drawn to light and shine. It’s a very original human instinct, and that is perhaps why our pieces give that feeling of joy and that feeling of being quite iconic.

HB: If you could collaborate with any Indian designer, artisan, or craft, what would it be and why?

CP: The list is endless. Like I said before, the amount of artistry in India is such a huge inspiration to me. At the moment, I think the crafts that are standing out to me the most and the ones I’m most excited about are the ones that you wouldn’t automatically associate with fashion. Things like inlaid marble or metalwork. I’m really interested, as we continue to build and grow, in how we might collaborate with those traditional crafts and reinvent them into accessories or clothing.

HB: What excites you the most about launching in India with Galeries Lafayette?

CP: To be part of such an iconic moment in fashion history internationally feels very special. To be one of the first designers working with Galeries Lafayette India is a huge honour. The store looks so beautiful, it’s a really exciting space for luxury. For the brand to have a home in a city that has inspired me for so many years, it is indeed a dream come true. 

Images: Courtesy the brand

This article first appeared in the December 2025 print issue of Harper's Bazaar India 


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