6 new designers to try if you want to stand out this wedding season

Tulsi Silks

Chennai-based Tulsi Silks, helmed by Santosh Parekh, aims to place South India’s culture and heritage on the global map. Traditional kanjivaram saris delicately woven with silver zari motifs and borders get new
life in bright colours.

On Kay: Cotton blouse, kanjivaram sari, prices on request; both Tulsi Silks. Velvet choker, Rs 695, set of metal rings, Rs 1,945; all Accessorize. Metal choker, Rs 7,400, Valliyan by Nitya Arora. Leather boots, price on request, Dior

On Shivani: Cotton blouse, kanjivaram sari; prices on request; both Tulsi Silks. Gold beaded necklace, Rs 4,850, Amrapali. Tasselled necklace, Rs 7,500, Valliyan by Nitya Arora. Leather boots, price on request, Dior

Pariah by Pranami

Romantic, feminine and timeless, Pranami Kalita’s designs showcase a seamless blend of her Assamese roots, Indian heritage and global sensibility. Along with fabrics from other regions of India, her focus is on reviving indigenous silks like the muga (also known as the golden silk), paat, kesa paat and eri varieties, typically woven by local Assamese women.

On Shivani: Silk blouse and lehenga, Rs 29,900 (for the set); both Pariah by Pranami. Metal nose ring, Rs 1,800, metal bangle, Rs 6,200; both Amrapali

On Kay: Silk blouse and lehenga, prices on request; both Pariah by Pranami. Metal earrings, Rs 7,520, Amrapali

Hemang Agarwal

Besides being Hemang Agarwal’s birthplace, Benares is also his inspiration—the culture, architecture, people, history and textiles all add to his design aesthetic. Using these, he creates a mix of old and new with handwoven silks and metallic prints.

On Kay: Metallic dress, price on request, Hemang Agarwal. Gold-plated mesh and pearl choker, Rs 12,500, Suhani Pittie. Gold anklets, Rs 38,900, Amrapali. Leather bag, price on request, Furla. Slip-on loafers, Rs 4,990, Swati Vijaivargie

On Shivani: Silk blouse and sari, price on request, Hemang Agarwal. Metal earrings, Rs 6,500, Valliyan by Nitya Arora. Acrylic bracelet, price on request, Dior. Gold-plated belt, price on request, Suhani Pittie. Leather heels, price on request, Jimmy Choo

Swati Vijaivargie

After serving as an apprentice with designers Kavita Bhartia and Raghavendra Rathore, Jaipur-born Swati Vijaivargie started her eponymous label in 2012. The designer uses traditional textiles like self-produced shibori on silk, khadi and chanderi in wearable silhouettes.

On Kay: Brocade and silk blouse, hand-embroidered zari silk sari, prices on request; both Swati Vijaivargie. Metal belt, Rs 19,000, Suhani Pittie. Metal ring, Rs 1,000, Amrapali. Leather boots, price on request, Hermès

On Shivani: Brocade lehenga, embroidered silk peplum blouse, prices on request; both Swati Vijaivargie. Gold-plated ear cuff, Rs 9,400, Suhani Pittie. Leather slingbacks, Rs 3,999, H&M

Sumona Couture

Sumona Parekh’s designs aim to celebrate the cultural history of various Indian cities and regions. The Kolkata-based designer explores the development of a modern voice, while simultaneously drawing a story from the rich, traditional glossary of Indian design through fabrics like silk, Lucknowi, Benarasi and chanderi.

Silk blouse and dhoti trousers, Rs 22,500, Sumona Couture. Gold-plated necklace with pearls, Rs 13,500, Suhani Pittie

VINEETRAHUL

Designer duo Vineet Kataria and Rahul Arya’s label VINEETRAHUL focuses on a blend of art, craft and textiles. Ranging from hand-woven raw silks, chanderi and khadi to linen and organic cotton, their silhouettes are comfy, breathable and super easy to layer.

Hand-woven chanderi tunic, Rs 16,600, hand-embroidered raw silk jacket, Rs 38,600, handwoven chanderi sari, Rs 26,600; all VINEETRAHUL. Metal choker, Rs 8,000, Valliyan by Nitya Arora. Leather sling bag, price on request, Furla. Block heels, price on request, Salvatore Ferragamo

So it's that time of the year again. The air is filled with the rustle of heavy pallus and every room is lit with high-wattage jewellery adorning necks and wrists. If this image triggers off a mini panic attack, then take a deep breath. 

Whether it's at the cocktail ceremony or the main event, you can give the head-to-toe brocade a much-needed break this year. Channel your inner badass and wear those ankle length boots with the silk lehenga and crop top. Or skip the lehenga altogether and try dhoti trousers instead. We've rounded up six new designers who are creating fuss-free festive wear that offer the minimal wedding ensemble you've always dreamt of. 

Photographs: Manasi Sawant. Styling: Pasham Alwani. Assisted by: Nikita Kataria (Styling). Make-Up and Hair: Kritika Gill. Models: Kay And Shivani/ Anima Creative Management

Flip through the gallery for more.