Remote, arid and sparsely populated, the region of Kutch in Gujarat is renowned for the striking garb traditionally worn by its minority communities. Each caste and sub-caste, whether Muslim or Hindu, retains its own distinctive styles of dress, jewellery and house decoration. But the most lavish of all are those of the semi-nomadic Rabari camel herders, whose women-folk wear patterned scarlet veils, multi-coloured patchwork bodices and intricately embroidered, pleated skirts.