It’s made folks drool over its lust-worthy resorts with biophilic décor elements, fuelled dinner conversations about its gorgeous, yet dark characters and inspired a whole travel theme, but more than all of these, The White Lotus has rewritten the playbook for vacation dressing. Laidback has never looked as stylish as Jennifer Coolidge in her kaftans exuding Italian holiday glam, Aubrey Plaza’s quiet luxury scarves and dresses or even Simona Tabasco and Beatrice Grannò toting chic Dior swimsuits and Prada glasses.
And now, the spotlight turns homeward.
An Indian designer is joining the league of the The White Lotus Season 3’s power-packed stylists as her outfit will adorn a key cast member. Anjali Patel Mehta’s luxury resort brand Verandah has been chosen to be worn by veteran Thai actress Patravadi Mejudhon (who joins the new season). The outfit is seen in the pre-release videos, selected by Costume Designer Alex Bovaird Sprouse. We caught Anjali in a chat on what she calls an ‘exhilarating experience’, how it all came about and the deep fashion impact that the show makes. Jump into the conversation…
A missed opportunity back in 2022…
Anjali shares how she’s had the privilege of being selected to work with the White Lotus Season 3 team. “It’s incredibly exciting,” she starts, “It also is huge to have such international representation. This show is literally a masterclass in vacation style and I’m thrilled to be the first one to have a design featured in the pre-release images, which makes this opportunity even more special.”
We asked her how it all came about and she explains, “The costume designer for The White Lotus initially reached out to me directly on email in January 2022, while I was traveling to New York for work. They were interested in having me send some of my signature togas, kaftans, and vacation-ready pieces for fittings in Italy for Season 2. Unfortunately, with my schedule tied up for market week in New York, I missed that opportunity.”
Anjali also admits, “At the time, I wasn’t fully aware of what the show was about—having stopped watching television 14 years ago when I transitioned from my banking career, I only watch a handful of movies and shows each year. It was only later that I realized how acclaimed the series was, both for its compelling storyline and its influence on fashion. The show’s mix of luxurious settings, mysterious plot lines, and standout fashion has captured the imagination of viewers and the luxury market alike.”
Designing for Thai actress Patravadi Mejudhon
After Season 2 became a massive hit, Anjali stayed in touch with the team which also landed her the opportunity to send her pieces from her luxe resort wear brand for the show. Thai actress Patravadi Mejudhon, who joins the show’s cast this time around is seen adorning her designs. Informs the designer, “When show’s team reached out again last Diwali, I knew I couldn’t miss the opportunity this time. They were keen to collaborate, asking if I was still interested in contributing pieces for Season 3. From that point, everything moved quickly. We scrambled to prepare fittings in LA and to send pieces to the Thailand shoot location, navigating the strict policies surrounding the production. It was an exhilarating experience to be considered for the show and to see Verandah represented on such a global platform. Being part of this journey has been an incredible honour.”
‘The team took my designs as they were’
Anjali had no idea who her designs would be for as she shares more. “Yes, To be honest, I didn’t know exactly who I was sending the pieces for at the time. But it felt special that the team took my designs as they were. It was a huge compliment that I didn’t have to change anything—they wanted to showcase the brand authentically. They selected some of my favourite pieces from my collections and working with Alex Bovaird was an absolute pleasure. She has an impeccable eye for detail and knew exactly what she wanted.”
She adds, “Being given this opportunity to represent Verandah as it is, on such an incredible platform like The White Lotus, is truly a milestone. It’s a remarkable way to spotlight an emerging designer from India on a global stage. It’s been such an exciting journey so far; I can’t wait to see what unfolds.”
The show blends stunning fashion with its compelling storyline
The fashion in the series has been rewriting the whole playbook on vacation dressing, particularly resort wear. Does she feel the outfits are as much a grab as the compelling storyline? Anjali agrees. “The White Lotus has truly redefined the concept of vacation dressing. It’s not just about the outfits, but the whole lifestyle. It’s about wearing happy, vibrant, and versatile pieces that transition seamlessly from day to night, capturing the essence of summer all year round.”
She adds, “The show has perfectly encapsulated the luxury hotel experience, blending stunning fashion with a compelling storyline that dives into the lives of its characters. The wardrobe, from simple yet elegant ensembles to bold, colourful statement pieces, mirrors the aspirational aesthetic of the show’s audience. Having followed and admired the work of the designers featured in Season 2, I’m thrilled that Verandah has made its way to The White Lotus Season 3.”
Paving the way for Indian designers
Anjali feels the time has come for more international spotlight for Indian talent. moving away from just the ramp and onto sets of series and movies, considering they have such a wide audience. She says, “I’m thrilled that a brand like ours, born in Bombay and Goa, has made it this far. It’s an incredible opportunity to showcase our work. I’m incredibly proud to be part of the Indian designer diaspora, working to create something different with a global reach while staying true to our designs. We don’t alter our creations for the international market; what we design here, we offer there, with only minor tweaks for regional preferences. I believe it’s high time for original work from India to gain global recognition and move beyond just the ramp, film sets, and movies.”
Read more: Everything We Know About The White Lotus Season 3
