Shopping during the wedding season needs to be listed as an Olympic sport in India. It takes strength, courage, patience and resilience to find the outfits that will create the theme of your feed for the next few months—and of course, make you feel pretty and confident. Luckily, India has no dearth of bridal designers who are constantly upping the game when it comes to trousseau or ethnic wear. We’ve come a long way from blood-red outfits overcrowded with gold embroidery—florals and pastels also enjoyed their moment in the sun and now we’re finally onto the experimental phase of Indian wear.
At the recently concluded Indian fashion weeks, designers opted for inspirations that went beyond your regular botanical boulevard. Abstract prints, bold silhouettes, indigenous handicrafts and earthy textiles have now become a part of the bridal wear universe in India. Young brides and bridesmaids who are well-travelled and aware of trends across the world are looking for a story to invest in and not just an attire. Designers who are able to blend fashion and luxury with a narrative are finding their buyers in these women who are beautiful but also intellectual and edgy. More and more individuals are looking for a creation that is unique to them and reflects their identity, as opposed to replicating a Bollywood celebrity’s on-screen or off-screen look.
If you or your best friend is about to tie the knot and are tired of the same 5 top-tier names thrown around like confetti, here’s our list of 10 Indian wear designers who are traditional but with a contemporary twist.
1. Aisha Rao
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Aisha Rao is a Hyderabad-based design house. The USP of her brand lies in unique upcycled luxury occasion wear. Her trademark appliqué technique where waste fabrics are used as bold motifs creates an eclectic aesthetic, which is specific only to her label.
2. Aseem Kapoor
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Before launching his own eponymous label, Aseem Kapoor did his apprenticeship under master couturier Tarun Tahiliani, where he learnt the intricacy of the craft. The designer reimagines natural textures and tribal motifs on contemporary silhouettes and also infuses resist-dye-inspired prints as a consistent element.
3. Samant Chauhan
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Samant Chauhan is not your regular Indian wear designer, he draws inspiration from architecture, history and travel—which he then effortlessly marries with his traditional designs. His collections are for the not-so-faint-hearted individuals, who are willing to experiment and add a little edge to their looks.
4. Varun Nidhika
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Varun and Nidhika established their label in 2010. The designer duo are detail oriented and their forte lies in exploring Indian embroideries and textiles. They believe in understated grandeur, hence their ensembles tread lightly between opulent and ostentatious.
5. Devnaagri
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Devnaagri is a celebration and reflection of the modern Indian woman. Their aesthetic and design ideology is deeply rooted in traditions. Representing indigenous embroideries and unparalleled craftsmanship by backing local artisans and bringing back forgotten fabrics is the core value the brand operates on.
6. Lashkaraa
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About to launch in November 2022 in India, Lashkaraa is a US-based startup that was born in 2014. Pretty pastel collections with dainty embroidery and modern cuts, this label is for all the bridesmaids looking for fuss-free fresh ensembles.
7. Prints by Radhika
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Established in 2017, Prints by Radhika blends art and fashion. All prints are original hand-painted artworks by the designer and each product narrates a story about nature and its invaluable gifts. The prints are further embellished with surface ornamentation and crafted into delectable lehengas and saris.
8. Gopi Vaid
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Label Gopi Vaid by Arnaz and Gopi, is best known for its occasion and customised bridal wear. Vaid’s family has always been a patron of the arts, many of the artisans at the Gopi Vaid studio hail from the same families of karigars that once worked in Vaid’s mother’s atelier— talk about preserving art and artisans.
9. Indian Wear Designer Gazal Gupta
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Gazal Gupta started designing bridal trousseau and gift packaging for gifting from the basement of her home. Despite the lack of formal training, Gazal’s knowledge of the craft is impeccable. Her brand represents an amalgamation of traditionalism and modernity.
10. Diya Rajvvir
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Designer duo Divya and Rajvvir believe in creating traditional wear but with western sensibilities. By incorporating hand painting on fabric, the designers continuously support local artisans and give them the opportunity to showcase their talent on a larger scale.
For more on Indian bridal wear, read here.
