Asif Shaikh is a master Indian textile artist from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, renowned for his exquisite and meticulous needlework. Breaking gender stereotypes in the 1980s, Shaikh chose embroidery as his vocation and has dedicated his life to preserving and reviving this ancient art.

Shaikh's journey began at the young age of ten, watching his mother transform cloth into art. Though he studied Interior Design at the School of Interior Design (CEPT), his passion for embroidery led him to explore traditional textile techniques. He developed extensive knowledge of weaving, printing, dyeing, and embellishing techniques. Shaikh credits his learning to observing senior artisans, noting their techniques to practice at home.

In 2002, he established his studio, teaching embroidery techniques to artisans and creating contemporary masterpieces inspired by the past. His innovations include simplifying the traditional karchob frame and pioneering miniature embroidery. Shaikh also aims to empower women by teaching them embroidery, so they can earn a good living. He is the founder of the Craft Design Society (CDS), an initiative to preserve India's craft and design heritage. Shaikh's work showcases the luxury of Indian craft and embroidery, promoting Indian textiles and artisans globally