Remember when Kim and Khloe Kardashian stole the show in sarees at Ambani’s lavish wedding? And did Jennifer Lopez channel her inner Queen Charlotte with this year’s Bridgerton-themed birthday party? All three chose Indian designers to headline their red carpet appearances.
In July, the Kardashian sisters, known worldwide for their reality TV show, wore a sari and lehenga choli ensemble by Manish Malhotra and Tarun Tahiliani at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s lavish wedding in India. I wore it.
And they weren’t the only ones.
From sarees to gorgeous dresses, 2024 will see Indian fashion designers like Gaurav Gupta, Malhotra, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Falguni, Shane Peacock and more take big strides as they dress the biggest names of not only Bollywood but also Hollywood I witnessed it.
Malhotra believes that the global celebrity focus on Indian designers is a natural progression, driven by a “growing appreciation for the rich tapestry of Indian fashion and craftsmanship.”
Manish Malhotra and actors Ananya Panday and Aditya Roy Kapur attend Lakme Fashion Week. |Photo credit: Priyadarshini Paithandi
“It was not a single moment, but a series of events where the unique charm of Indian design started attracting celebrities from around the world. There is an undeniable appeal in its unique ability to blend contemporary flair.
“India’s fashion tradition is steeped in centuries-old traditions of craftsmanship and this deep history and culture imbues every item with a story,” Malhotra told PTI.
Indian designs are now easily seen on celebrities at major global events such as the Met Gala, Oscars, and Grammy Awards.
Gupta is this year’s most talked-about Indian designer, with Hollywood celebrities Mindy Kaling, Rebel Wilson and Allison Janney appearing at the Emmy Awards in September, and Bridgerton star and others appearing at the British Fashion Awards 2024 earlier this month. Nicola Colan took up his costume.
“It’s no secret that India is in the spotlight globally,” Gupta told PTI.
“The increasing global influence of Indian designers reflects a major shift in the industry’s perception of Indian haute couture. It is no longer just traditional wear, but a symbol of innovation, craftsmanship and cultural heritage. It’s about merging modern aesthetics.”
Another Indian designer who made headlines this year is Sabyasachi, a popular wedding couturier in tinsel town. Deepika Padukone chose a saree for the BAFTAs where she presented an award, while Alia Bhatt flaunted his unique creations at the 2024 Met Gala. Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, wore his design at the Emmy Awards.
Alia Bhatt attends the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute’s benefit event celebrating the opening of the ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion’ exhibition on Monday, May 6, 2024 in New York. |Photo credit: AP
Malhotra’s custom-made gown was one of the highlights of Lopez’s Bridgerton-themed 55th birthday party.
The famed designer, who recently dressed supermodel Heidi Klum at the premiere of Mufasa: The Lion King, says that each moment of creating these designs and seeing them come to life is a journey of “creativity and I was filled with excitement.”
“It’s always a great experience collaborating with someone who has a huge influence on fashion and pop culture. This process involves understanding their personal style and the essence of the event, and not only captivating their personality. It involves creating an ensemble that resonates,” he said.
Falguni Peacock, one half of fashion label Falguni Shane Peacock, said her brand was once a pioneer in designing for global celebrities such as Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian.
It’s heartening to see colleagues following in their footsteps, the designer added. The designer was the one who recently dressed Stree 2 star Shraddha Kapoor for her appearance at the 2024 Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia.
Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor arrives to attend a screening at Culture Square during the 4th Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah on December 9, 2024. Photo credit: AFP
“We dressed up the icon Mariah Carey and there’s a lot more to come… It’s great that India can be on that platform, and we’ve dressed up the icon, Mariah Carey. Everyone started dressing up, even Lady Gaga. It’s good to see everyone starting to dress up.” It’s been 10-15 years since we started dressing them (international celebrities) and now everyone is into it,” Falguni Peacock told PTI.
Over time, as the global fashion landscape evolved, Malhotra believes that so too did the awareness and appreciation of the intricacies of Indian attire.
“Celebrities with a keen sense of style have begun to recognize the timeless appeal and cultural depth that Indian designers bring to their work. Ultimately, Indian fashion regularly graces prestigious red carpets and high-profile events.”
However, Mr. Gupta believes that the mid-2010s was a time when global celebrities started embracing Indian designers.
“…the fusion of traditional Indian elements with modern silhouettes has caught the attention of the world’s fashion elite. For me, it means that celebrities like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra “When I saw Indian designers making important statements in their work at events, I knew we had reached a pivotal moment,” he said.
The custom statement pieces’ designs combine a designer’s signature with an outline of their personality, and according to Mr. Gupta, one of the most memorable feedback was from Beyoncé, who has worn his designs many times. That’s what it means.
“We had the honor of dressing Beyoncé at New York Fashion Week, where she wore our Galaxy Crystals. Wearing a jacket, bodysuit, and boots, Beyoncé’s instructions were clear: she wanted something that celebrated her bold personality while staying true to our design philosophy. For her to listen and say that she felt empowered in our creations is exactly what we want for every woman who wears our designs.” said.
Fashion designer Kunal Rawal said Indian designers are quickly and steadily making inroads into the world.
“Products by Indian designers are better in terms of quality, construction and manufacturing. Indian designers can create stronger products than Western designers… Over the next 10 years, Indian super There will be at least 10-15 brands.”It will be global,” Rawal told PTI.
And Janhvi Kapoor and Ananya Panday were seen walking for Rahul Mishra at various fashion events in Paris.
Indian designers are active internationally not only in clothing but also in jewellery.
Lopez, singer Rihanna, Oscar winners Laura Dern and Meryl Streep were spotted wearing accessories designed by Sabyasachi and Hanout Singh at separate international events.
issued – December 27, 2024 11:47 AM IST
