Beverly Hills, long associated with Hollywood glamor and timeless elegance, has become the final resting stage for something equally majestic—The Great Elephant Migration. As the international public art exhibition reaches its last stop, it unveils a rare, ceremonial crescendo: Wrapped in History, a textile tribute curated by acclaimed Indian designer and heritage preservationist Vikram Goyal.
The initiative features eight intricately crafted textiles commissioned by Elephant Family USA, an organization dedicated to wildlife conservation and cultural storytelling. Each piece is wrapped around one of the monumental elephant sculptures dotting Beverly Gardens Park, but this is no ordinary adornment. These textiles trace a lineage of tradition, material mastery, and historic significance—each one inspired by original royal garments preserved in Indian palace museums.
The textiles featured in Wrapped in History are steeped in symbolic narrative. Designed by Goyal and created by master artisans across India, the works pay homage to original garments from the 18th to 20th centuries—clothing that once adorned emperors, maharajas, and elite courtiers. Sourced from the private archives of six palace museums, each textile was reimagined using ancient techniques such as zardozi (metallic embroidery), hand-weaving, block printing, and patola silk weaving.
“Blankets are vessels of protection, identity, and story. In this context, each one becomes a monumental gesture, a way of honoring the past while materially supporting a more compassionate, interdependent future.”Vikram Goyal
The initiative involved 50 artisans, whose skill in resurrecting these historic patterns and motifs ensures the survival of their crafts for future generations. Goyal, founder of luxury design studio Viya Home and a long-time champion of Indian heritage design, worked closely with each palace’s custodians to preserve the dignity of the originals while interpreting them through a contemporary lens.
The textiles not only highlight India’s opulent history of courtly fashion but also serve a broader purpose—supporting the cause of elephant conservation. Each ceremonial wrap was tailored to fit a life-size elephant sculpture featured in the outdoor installation, turning every elephant into a walking altar of memory and tribute.
At the heart of the initiative lies a profound metaphor: elephants have historically been symbols of royalty and spiritual power across South Asia. By cloaking them in regal textile reproductions, Goyal and Elephant Family USA reinforce the interconnectedness of cultural and environmental stewardship.
Participating palaces include the City Palace of Jaipur, Udaipur’s Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation, and the royal households of Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Baroda—each contributing an archival reference for reinterpretation. Among the techniques revived are mashru silk weaving, ikat dyeing, and mirror-work embroidery, reflecting the region-specific aesthetics of each court.
Wrapped in History marks a fitting end to The Great Elephant Migration, which has traveled across cities and continents to spark conversation around wildlife preservation, habitat loss, and the power of public art. But unlike many exhibitions, this one leaves a legacy that’s both visual and functional.
The initiative has sparked international interest from collectors, conservationists, and curators alike. Following its debut in Beverly Hills, there are discussions underway about taking Wrapped in History to museum spaces and private collections. But at its core, it remains a tribute—one that threads together species and stories, past and present.