For 13 years, lace has been a signature at Maneesha Ruia, the New York-based luxury women’s accessories house founded in 2013 by designer and Creative Director Maneesha Ruia. The brand’s lace scarves, which can take up to 72 hours of artisan work to complete, represent a distinct approach to craftsmanship and contemporary design that has remained central to its identity.
“I have always been drawn to the diversity within lace: its delicacy and boldness,” Ruia said. “Lace has a unique character, a vintage appeal that somehow feels remarkably modern. Over the years, we have continued to explore what lace can become when it is treated not simply as an embellishment, but as an integral part of the design.”
This philosophy shapes how the brand approaches a lace scarf: not as a finishing touch, but as an element considered from the very beginning. At Maneesha Ruia, lace can determine the character of the scarf, appearing as a panel through the body, framing a motif or print, or emerging through individually appliquéd elements. Different types of lace—Chantilly, filigree, Duchesse, and Alençon—each bring a different character, while cutwork, motifs, scallop, and appliqué introduce further possibilities.
The distinction matters because when lace becomes part of the design itself, it influences how a scarf drapes, moves, and catches the light. The allure of a Maneesha Ruia lace scarf also lies in the way it converses with other forms of craft. A lace motif may meet hand embroidery; floral appliqué may be set against beadwork; a hand-painted scarf may find its finishing counterpoint in an intricate lace detail.
Each lace motif is carefully cut, positioned, and stitched by hand, with some designs requiring the lace to be hand-machined onto the scarf. Every placement is considered not only as it appears on a flat surface, but for the way it will behave once worn. Depending on the design’s intricacy, a single scarf can require 40 to 72 hours of artisan work. The collection remains intentionally small, allowing each piece the time and attention it demands.
While lace has traditionally been associated with weddings and celebrations, the modern lace scarf brings that intricacy into everyday settings. A relaxed shoulder drape can soften the clean lines of tailoring, while a classic French drape brings a more polished finish to a coat or sweater. For occasions that call for something more elaborate, the brand’s occasion wear scarves are built on the same principle: adding intricacy and character to an evening or celebratory look without overwhelming it.
Over 13 years, the house has continued to return to lace to discover how much further it can go. Different fabrics, colors, motifs, techniques, and treatments have offered new interpretations, while the instinct behind them has remained constant: take a beautiful craft, look beyond its obvious application, and make it relevant to the way women dress today.
Every Maneesha Ruia scarf is made in India, with craftsmanship at the heart of its design process. The house works with GOTS-approved fabrics and AZO-free dyes, reflecting its commitment to thoughtful material choices and responsible production. Excess production materials are donated to Hamaara Sapna, while a share of proceeds from every purchase supports the Akanksha Foundation’s work in providing education to underprivileged children.
For the house, lace has become more than a material or an embellishment. It has become a language through which craftsmanship, femininity, and contemporary elegance continue to meet. Thirteen years on, the conversation is still evolving.
