55 Experts Reveal Their Best Indian Weddings Tips for South Asian Brides

pby Sampat Jewellers

This post is brought to you by our newest partner, Sampat Jewelers—a modern-day Indian jeweler, specializing in contemporary diamond mangalsutrasOur friends at Sampat Jewellers want you to take advantage of their special limited time offer—take 10% off your first purchase using promo code BrownGirl. 

Indian weddings are filled with grandeur, magic, and happiness. But how does this magic happen in the first place? A team of wedding experts such as clothing and jewelry designers, wedding planners, makeup artists, photographers, DJs and professional caterers forms the backbone of all Indian weddings.

[Read Related: Sampat Jewelers: Artisans of Diamond Mangalsutras for the Modern-Day Woman]

So to make it easier to choose your team of professionals and help you along the entire wedding process, I reached out to renowned wedding experts and asked them for their number one wedding tip for every South Asian bride. 55 experts generously shared practical, mindful, personalized and unique tips that can help you design your most memorable wedding.

indian wedding tips

So here are the finest wedding tips from the experts themselves!

1. Anita Dongre

 “The most important bridal trend is wearing clothes and accessories that allow you to enjoy your day—a lightweight but intricately crafted ensemble with drapes and dupattas that take care of themselves while you enjoy this special day. Pockets in lehengas, Obi belts to hold dupattas, capes and cross body potli bags are great this season. I believe it’s important that the bride looks as beautiful as she is comfortable.” – Anita Dongre

2. Maharani Weddings


“Classify your cash and know your numbers. Plan your wedding with a budget in mind. Don’t spend hours on Pinterest “researching” flowers, lehengas or venues that are out of your pocketbook. This will only leave you disheartened and frustrated and take the fun out of planning your dream wedding; only look for ideas that fall within your price range, or 10 percent higher. We’ve seen amazing Maharani-worthy weddings at every budget. It all comes down to style, execution and having an eye for detail.” – Shawna Gohel

3. Sampat Jewellers


“Make sure your mMangalsutra is wearable after the wedding is over on every day or on special occasions. A mangalsutra, depending on your culture, is typically chosen by the groom’s family. If you can, you should choose a mangalsutra based on your personal style. After all this piece is going to stay with you forever. Most brides don’t pay attention to this and only focus on the wedding jewelry for their big day. Here’s a useful video on how to choose a perfect mangalsutra. A must watch for all brides to be.

For the wedding day, try to wear family heirloom pieces instead of costume jewelry. This will serve you well in long term as it holds more meaning over time and is timeless. Invest in fine jewelry pieces like a diamond choker necklace and chandelier earrings that you can wear individually for special occasions after the wedding.” – Jinal Sampat

 

4. Andrena Photography


“Work out a realistic timeline with your photographer. The images you might want take much more time than you may realize, and an experienced photographer can help ensure that you have an appropriate time set aside to meet your expectations. Your photographer always has your best interests in mind and wants to make you happy.” – Dina Douglass,

5. DJ Raj


“When looking for a wedding vendor such as a DJ/AV production company, research and understand the company’s experience, talent level, equipment quality and reputation. This will help them budget and understand our pricing and value. Many clients are focusing more on looking for the cheapest pricing, this can be a costly mistake.” – Raj Gandhi

6. Marigold Events


“I love weddings with personal touches and DIY decor. For example, involving your family members as bridesmaids, groomsmen, ring bearer and flower girls. Some couples could also create scrapbooks or a photo slideshow telling their story and display it at their reception.” – Neha Goyal

7. KC Makeup by Karuna Chani


“Follow your instincts when it comes to your wedding day hair and makeup. When you’re happy with your choices and you feel confident in your makeup, that is when you exude confidence and it shows in pictures! Brides look the most beautiful when they are comfortable. It’s always good to keep up with the times and follow trends, but keep in mind that the hippest trend may be more of a seasonal fad than a timeless classic!” – Karuna Chani

8. Studio East6


“Brides should choose colors that look best on them and to not worry about falling into the trap of if they are wearing the similar colors for previous events, what season it is, etc. It’s important to look your best. No one else is going to remember what color you wore the night before or what season it is. Your wedding photographs will stay with you forever, so don’t get hung up on the stereotypical color stigmas.” – Rupa

9. KIS (Cubed) Events


“Hire a planner and make sure to thoroughly interview them on their experience and how they work and execute events, and also their knowledge of the industry and not just someone that is big at talking; go with someone that has had proven results. Many of the newbies are in the market because they think it’s glamorous, but from veteran’s standpoint, I highly recommend brides to talk and interview planners as well as talk to venues and vendors on their thoughts on how it is to work with their select planner choices as it’s super important that all your vendors get a long and are results driven and not just referral driven.” – Nirjary Desai

10. Naveen Productions


“Soak in the moment. Don’t worry about what anyone else is saying. At the end of the day it’s your wedding day. Do whatever makes you happy. There is no reset button. You don’t get a do over. Eat, drink, and dance!” – Naveen Sharma

11. Artistry by Christal


 “Trust your hair and makeup artist and be very communicative so that the artist can create the perfect look. Bring pictures to show your styles and if you can’t find any, at least bring pictures of what you don’t like. Artists are very visual and can’t read minds. In the end, stay calm, hair and makeup is not permanent and can be adjusted with good communication and honesty.” – Christal

12. Wedding Documentary


“Brides should get ready early. There are lots of sentimental moments to capture during the getting ready process. Special moments of your mother putting on your necklace, your sisters putting on your bangles, and your father seeing you dressed up as a bride for the first time. By getting ready early, you ensure that you will receive more beautiful and real moments that are organic and not rushed or staged. We recommend four hours for the total hair, makeup, dressing, and jewelry placement process.” – Vijay Rakhra

13. Sonia Collection


“I’ve seen too many brides lose sight of the reason they’re getting married and falling victim to putting on a show for their friends/family. Don’t forget that at the end of the day, you’re hopefully marrying the love of your life and every moment leading up to your union should be about love. Let yourself enjoy this special time and realize all of your favorite people will be under one roof to celebrate. It only happens once! Make it happy, make it easy and make it fun.” – Sonia

indian wedding tips

14. Flavor Cup Cake


“We have been seeing an increase in people moving to a dessert bar/display” for their weddings where they offer a variety of mini-sized desserts. This lends itself to a gorgeous display that offers desserts for varying palettes. By providing a dessert bar, you can offer more than one or two flavors of cake. Rather, you can make all your guests happy with offerings of chocolate, fruit-based treats, cookies, parfaits and more!” – Shelley

15. Rhythmaya Dance


“Focus on the actual marriage, if you think wedding planning is a lot of work remember that this partnership is a life investment and it can go very well if you give it the attention it deserves. Get ready to motivate each other for success and happiness in all walks of life. Sorry for the aunty lecture but I was married in 2004, the pre-social media age where my sister and mom planned the whole thing and all I did was sit in the mandap, definitely the happiest day of my life and the following 13 years have been wonderful because of my best friend by my side.” – Nirathi Rao

16. Engaging Affairs


“Always allow for extra buffer time in your hair and makeup schedule in the morning so that if anyone needs a touchup or is running late, the entire day won’t run late. This allows for a calm and smooth wedding day.” – Laura

17. Dolled up by Lulu


“Please enjoy every minute of wedding planning. It should be a moment to bond with family and friends, in gathering great thoughts and ideas, to create the magical wedding that best be remembered by you and your loved ones. Memories that would circle back and be shared with your future kids and their kids.” Lulu Nguyen

18. Preeti Exclusive


“Remember to still ‘date’ your fiancee. Many brides are so caught up in moving from girlfriend to wife so quickly, that the fiancee title is gone and all of their date nights become wedding planning talks. Balance out the time spent by starting off your date with a brunch (no wedding talk), go to a vendor meeting (wedding talk), possibly another meeting and then end the night with dinner and drinks with friends or family (or just you two!). This will alleviate a lot of the pressure some grooms feel about every conversation turning into wedding planning and be very helpful in your marriage as wedding planning becomes house hunting and into family planning” – Preeti Vasudeva

19. Mehandi Designer


“Try not stress and enjoy the wedding festivities completely. They have worked so hard to put it all together so it is important to enjoy it all. If something goes wrong in the planning it was not meant to be and not worth stressing about during an important day of your life.” – Neeta Sharma

20. South Asian Bride Magazine


“Remember to soak in the moment” – Sadaf Kherani

21. Frontier Heritage


“Shop for your clothing well in advance! The outfit is one of the most important parts of a bride’s special day, and that is the last thing she would want to panic about. The ideal timeline is to begin your wedding shopping 6 months in advance, so that if items are custom ordered from India, they can arrive at least 2 months prior to the wedding. With this timeline well planned out, there is also no need to shop in India for your clothing. It’s easier to enjoy the shopping experience in your local area for increased transparency throughout the process.”

22. Unique Weddings by Alexis


“Take the time to learn about the Indian ceremony rituals and their meanings. Enjoy incorporating some of these customs into your ceremony, whether it is very traditional or a fusion of two cultures. Be sure to include descriptions of what you are doing and why, during your ceremony, possibly in a ceremony program, so that all your guests can enjoy and understand your ceremonial union.” – Alexis

23. The Gourmet Kitchen


“Don’t take unsolicited advice from your family or friends on your wedding day! In a typical Indian wedding, the whole family wants to participate and will have advice on the dress, jewelry, food, décor, you name it! (That includes advice from Aunt Gita, Sunita, and Rita! ?) My advice is to learn to say “No” or to quietly take the advice and move on. In the end, it is YOUR wedding day. It can be very overwhelming to try to make the entire family happy or to take everyone’s advice, so let the biggest decisions come from you and your fiancée.” – Madhoo

24. All Dolled up ATX


“Get a hair and makeup trial and do some research on what you want to look like. Too many brides don’t realize the importance of the trial and go into their wedding blind, only to cause stress. Doing the trial will give peace of mind for how you will look the day of the wedding.” – Livia Pope

25. 3D Sounds


“Narrow down your vendors early. Having recently been married and going through the process myself, narrowing down your vendors to 2 in each category early on will greatly reduce the stress of selecting vendors. The more you visit and keep as potentials, the more likely you are to be indecisive due to the large number of options and opinions. Try to catch a vibe early on and stick with it. It will make it easier for the vendor to execute your dream wedding.” – DJ Amit

26. Sari Palace


“Enjoy the entire experience, don’t let the planning drive you crazy. When it comes to outfits, pick an appropriate cut and color for your attire. Order at least six to eight months in advance when it comes to clothing, so after you get your pieces you can plan your jewelry and other accessories. Be decisive, bridal clothing is all classic and not trendy. Go with your initial vision you have for yourself. Sometimes the more you see the more confused you get. Plan all your events and be organized; make sure you have different looks for all your events. Experiment with different colors, cuts and styles.” – Asha Thakkar

27. Man Servants


“Remember to show your girlfriends some love. They helped get you to your wedding, they’re your support system, and on the day of your wedding they are your pump up team, so be sure that they feel pampered as well.” – Clink

28. Sonal J. Shah Event Consultants


“Make sure there is one decision maker for the wedding. It is hard to plan a wedding when nobody can agree on any vendors. If there are too many people trying to make decisions, it also gets hard for the bride to be excited about her wedding because it is difficult to make decisions that please everyone.” – Sonal Shah

29. Bombay Talk


“Remember that at the end of the day everyone remembers the food at the weddings. If the food is outstanding, then your event will be remembered for a long time. Good luck.” – Jahanvi

30. Stop Go Love


“Maintaining a strict schedule. Not only does it allow us to shoot more by knowing where we need to be at the correct time, it will also maintain your own sanity! There’s nothing worse than feeling stressed about your events starting late!” – Jared

31. Electric Karma


“Throughout your planning process, you will receive a lot of input from family and friends based on their past weddings. Their prior experiences may not be a reflection of the style or direction for your wedding. The experience for your guests should be memorable and can be accomplished through interesting food presentations, exciting entertainment, unique decor and most importantly, hospitality. This will allow your wedding to become remarkable and inspirational to family and friends that have taken their time to be part of your special day.” – Therese

32. WarPaint International Beauty Agency


“Allow enough time for makeup and hair. That is one (of the many) details you do not want to rush. It’s also a good idea to pad the time you want to be ready by, by 30 mins or so. For example if your target ready by time is 9am, communicate to your party and your beauty professionals,  8:30am. This allows for any unforeseen interruptions, delays etc. and will also allow you some time to relax before the big day!” – Jessica

33. Ethnic Essence


“For your wedding day, attract good energy and blessings from all of your family, friends, and vendors. By honoring their presence, you must make them feel welcomed and respected. Always remember, although this is YOUR very special day, it will become a lifelong memory for all, simply by the way you make them feel! This way, YOUR wedding day memories will bring countless smiles for years to come.” – Smita

34. Pink Orchid Studio


“Staying true to their personal style! How does a bride decide on what to wear on her big day is a personal decision, one that should reflect the likes and tastes of the bride rather than the bridal party.  We always reassure our brides to stay true to themselves by imagining looking back on these pictures 10 years from now. Will she feel timeless and happy with her look? Also, communicating with your bridal hair and makeup artists is so important, let them know your likes but also your dislikes so that those can be avoided during your appointment!” – Shannon

indian wedding tips

35. Blue Lotus Insights


“The bride and groom hire a seasoned wedding planner who can assist them in navigating their options and variations in the wedding industry. I can understand that the costs can be daunting at times but please know that they will be the ones to truly help you make the right decisions and also execute your day perfectly. Be sure to ask all the right questions so that you know what services you are getting for the price.” – Neha

36. Opening Minds Entertainment


“Focus on your unique wedding experience—the food, the drinks, the DJ entertainment, the lighting—from the moment you walk in until the moment you leave. Don’t worry about little things like centerpieces; focus on how to best enhance your guests’ experience so your wedding event is something they can talk about (in a good way!) for years to come.” – Vikas

37. Delicious Cakes


“For brides having a traditional Indian wedding with lots of Indian deserts, they do not need a wedding cake to feed the guest count. We suggest a 4–5 tier cake to make a presentation at the venue and enough cake to feed 100-150 guests. For Indian brides having a Christian ceremony they will most likely need a little more cake as 90% of the guests typically want a bite of the wedding cake.” – Butch

38. Apropos Creations


“Step back and enjoy your wedding day! Indian brides, grooms and parents all tend to get attached (and nothing wrong with that), to all of the details that they forget to have fun. You’ve checked and double checked all the specifics with your professional vendors, and at this point, let them do what they do best and what you’ve hired them to do; we all have the same goal and that’s to ensure you have the best time of your life! If this is something hard for you to let go of, consider hiring a wedding planner to assist and take care of your wants and needs from all the vendors, if you haven’t yet.” – Jo Ann

39. Fawn Monique


“Start getting a monthly facial months prior to your wedding day and leading up to it. This will create a perfect canvas for the makeup to be applied to for your special day. As for the makeup, making sure you feel comfortable in the look is very important, purchasing a setting powder and lip color for your wedding day touch ups, or even hire the makeup artist to stay on site with you so you don’t have worry about touch ups. Your makeup will be photo shoot ready through all your events.” – Fawn

40. Vintage Carriage

“The couple should get a professional (non-family/friend) wedding coordinator at the very least for the wedding day so there is someone in charge of the schedule, who is not having to answer to anyone but the wedding couple.” – Leilani

41. Tara Nicole Weddings and Events

“Hire a wedding planner. Planning a wedding is no small task, and there are a lot of details to work through as you plan your events over multiple days; hiring a wedding planner who is experienced with Indian weddings can help coordinate the logistics of the events. If you have the extra time, and would rather plan the details yourself, we still highly recommend hiring a day-of coordinator so you can truly relax and enjoy your wedding weekend.” – Tara Nicole

42. Naveda Couture

“When it comes to finding the perfect wedding look(s), do some research on silhouettes and colors. For South Asian brides, try on different lehenga cuts (you’ll find there are loads of variations to a simple lehenga choli). Also, experiment with color by holding up different colored fabric swatches to your face in front of a mirror. It’s best to get an idea of which colors compliment you most and bring out your best features. Doing this bit of “pre-work” before going bridal wear shopping (or meeting with a custom designer) is incredibly helpful. If you are working with a custom bridal designer, he/she will get a better picture of what your likes/dislikes rather than guessing, and ultimately the final result will be much more aligned with your preferences. Be as clear and descriptive as you can when expressing your wants for the bridal looks.” – Amy Devan

43. DJ Riz Entertainment

“Write down the order of vendor categories from most important to least important. From this list you understand your priorities. If you find a vendor that understands your style or vibe then ask for recommendations of other vendors that they think you will enjoy working with. There is a different level of synergy that is created when vendors that work together often are working with the same couples.” – DJ Riz

44. Divine Occasions


“Hire a wedding planner! As Wedding Planners, we’re knowledgeable of traditions and etiquette as well as event management, budgets and legal contracts. A great planner listens and works with you to ensure your unique wedding day vision flows flawlessly. So, take a deep breath and enjoy the planning process! Your wedding day is going to be your best day ever!” – Kathy Grate

45. Karishma Beauty Salon

“Always get a makeup trial before booking your make up artist. You want to make sure you like their style and that you establish your final look so that there are no surprises on the wedding day!” – Parul Gandhi

46. Divine Celebrations & Events

“Hire more hair and makeup-up people than you think you need so you don’t have to start getting ready at 2:00AM. Leave approximately 45 minutes per application equaling to 90 minutes per person. This is the number one thing that will backup your whole day! You should feel pampered, not rushed!” – Erin Calvimontes

47. Beauty by Lishma

<


“SHEEVL! Sleep well, Hydrate, Eat right, Exfoliate, Vitamins, Lip condition.” –

Sleep well. Sleep will help your body rest and recover from the crazy day as well help rejuvenate your skin.


Hydrate. Hydration keeps your skin soft and prevents lines. It also helps flush out any toxins from your body. You are typically meant to consume 8 glasses of water per day. I would recommend 10 –12 glasses closer to the big day especially in summer months or hot climate.

Eat right. We all know what you put into your body has the greatest effect on how you look. I recommend fruits, veggies and healthy smoothies taken for a few months leading up to the big day because they will show great results.

Exfoliate. It’s always good to follow a skin cleansing regimen daily. Cleanse, exfoliate, tone and moisturize.

Vitamins. Vitamin deficiencies can lead to many skin problems. I recommend starting a daily vitamin regimen after consulting your physician. The two key vitamins are B12 and D. B12 helps reduce stress; D helps prevent break outs. Note that most South Asians, especially vegetarians, have a vitamin D deficiency.

Lip condition. Chapped lips are tell-tale signs of dehydration and lack of lip moisturizer. Chapped lips prevent long lasting lip stain and give a rugged look. Start conditioning your lips with a lip conditioner such as chapstick at least a month ahead.

48. Karmagraphy

“Find the time and different ways to enjoy the journey leading up to the wedding as well being able to savor the day itself. It can be a stressful time with so many details to attend to and decisions to make, but these precious moments don’t come back.” – Kavita Rao

49. Pea to Tree Events

“Be present. Sometimes wedding planning can be overwhelming with so many things to check off the to-do list, but staying present in the moment is what makes the journey even more special. This journey should be about both couple taking time and enjoying each other, getting to know each other on a deeper level, which will prepare both for a stronger marriage. Taking the time to enjoy a movie together, and not have wedding talks can help with staying present. Schedule a few dates with your friends, and go out and have some fun.” – Georgette Casimir

50. Henna Dil Se

“Not to give yourself too many options, you will get confused and overwhelmed. You will deal with the ethics of someone’s business rather than focusing on what you want. Price is a huge factor but at the end of the day stick with what you want and eliminate what seems to be a good concept but not something you’ll regret” – Nadia Ali

51. Azure Couture Event Stationery

“The guest experience is paramount to having a beautiful and memorable wedding! Keep your guests in mind at each stage of planning, and be a gracious host. This doesn’t mean you have to dazzle your guests at every turn. It simply means keeping in mind that a wedding is just as much about bringing your communities together as it is about the two of you.” – Andaleeb

52. COJ Events

“Talk with your fiancé about what is most important to you both about your wedding; which elements will it seem that you’re having an event that truly reflects your love and your personal style. Also talk about your cultural traditions and which of those are most important to you. This is especially important if both of you are not Indian. Then talk to your parents about the same questions—don’t assume that they won’t understand that you don’t want to do a particular tradition or that you want to include something they think is too modern. They might just surprise you!” – Cathy O’Connell

53. Old North Film Company

“Find vendors that work well in the background. You don’t want to be worrying about your photographer or videographer being intrusive and getting in the way. Indian weddings have a long series of beautiful, intimate events, and you’ll want to be care free at each of them. Enjoy every ceremony, every celebration, every tradition, every moment with your new partner in life!” – David

54. JSK Photography

“Earn back from the wedding spending. We all know weddings cost a lot of money, from the big-ticket items like the venue and catering, to the littlest details. We recommend you sign up for a credit card that earns you miles—do your research and see which one will give you the most for your buck. After the wedding spending is done, you should have plenty of miles saved up to book your honeymoon flights using the earned miles. We would only recommend this if you are disciplined enough to make the payments as you do the spending and not let it all pile up, even the ones that are zero interest for a year.” – Mandy

55. Lifetime Events by Jacqueline

“Hire a wedding planner to take on as much or as little of the planning. But if you and your family are able to handle the planning stages, then I would highly suggest hiring a qualified Wedding Coordinator to carry out the logistics of the pre-wedding events and/or the wedding day. Having many key parts to a wedding means having many vendors. Therefore selecting a wedding coordinator who can communicate, execute the flow, and be a key point person will result in giving your family time to enjoy the festivities.” – Jacqueline Vazquez

You’ve now discovered fantastic wedding tips from experts who collectively represent and plan hundreds, if not thousands, of South Asian weddings every year. If you know someone who is in the wedding planning process, then share this article with them! You never know which bride you will save from becoming bridezilla!

All images in this post are courtesy Sampat Jewelers.

Kunal Sampat is part of Sampat Jewellers, a modern Indian diamond jewelry business specializing in designer mangalsutras. This article was inspired by his personal interest in Indian weddings. You can find him on Instagram.

 

 

By Brown Girl Magazine

Brown Girl Magazine was created by and for South Asian womxn who believe in the power of storytelling as a … Read more ›

Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna: “We Want to Work With the Youth”

From humble beginnings, Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna joined forces to create the worldwide fashion design brand Rohit + Rahul. Based in one of India’s fashion capitals, Delhi, the two take an eccentric approach to designing by utilizing geometry and modern art to build their design lines. This is commonly seen in some of their more recent design lines such as the ‘Fibonacci’ line. Also, the founding members of the brand Fashion Design Council of India, Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna insert new meaning into fashion by telling a story to the younger generation. With their bold pieces, Rohit and Rahul want consumers to feel empowered and individualized.

[Read Related: 3 Tips on how to Rock Viva Magenta, the Pantone Color for 2023]

Tell us about your journey and where it all started.

We began our design journey in 1997. We saw a significant gap in the global market between Western and Indian couture segments and [so] amalgamated our personal style statements to merge it with our conviction to cater to this deficit, and launched our brand. The brand stands for contemporary designs and embodies an aesthetic of understated red carpet creations. As designers, we believe in curating garments that are timeless and decorous. Also, we have entered our 25th year of creative partnership as an established designer brand.

Where do you see this company ten years from now?

Ten years from now we see our company with corporate backing, more evolved with exponential growth.

Which client are you most looking forward to working with?

The client we most look forward to working with is the youth of today. The younger audience is experimental and bold; they don’t shy away from trying new trends. We look forward to dressing clients who are ahead of their time, love to explore the world and understand our structure and silhouettes.

What was one of your favorite showcases? What was different about this showcase compared to the others you have had?

We embroidered our surface textures and did a presentation with masks which was quite unusual. Another interesting project we did was inspired by art which is the ethos of the brand. It’s our sublime passion for art that reflects in the thoughtful craftsmanship of our brand.

What was it like having a partner?

Two is a team and it is great fun working together. We take various aspects from each other’s lives and put those thoughts into our design process. We both are different personalities and critics of each other which helps us understand things better. The journey so far has been exhilarating and challenging too; we were a two-man army. Back then from managing designing to marketing, merchandising, and sales, all of it was managed by the two of us. Now, we have a team working alongside us which makes us feel we have come a long way.

What interests do you have outside of fashion?

Outside of fashion design, our interest lies in art. Our design inspiration is derived from art and architecture. The heritage and the vintage lineage of the city of New Delhi where we are based are what instill our passion for finesse and immaculate grandeur in the minutest of details. We have been successfully running our art gallery, Palette, which houses modern contemporary artworks of young and established minds alike.

Where did the idea for the Fibonacci show come from? What’s one of your favorite looks?

‘Fibonacci’ at its heart, is a nod to craft — both structural and artistic — where every piece is a study in precision. The collection brings together this iconic designer duo’s dedication to the study of structure in art and architecture, transferring these learnings to design. The idea of the Fibonacci show was inspired by the artist named Zaha Hadid, who is known for her liberated architectural geometry. Our favorite look is a mosaic sherwani which was recently worn by Indian megastar Ranveer Singh.

And, what inspired the Astral Gala line?

The Astral Gala line is inspired by stars and galaxies. It is a reflection of our love for the cosmic universe which is surreal. The line is inspired by the old-age divas from the retro era fused with new modern techniques of boning and construction.

What is your favorite type of clothing piece to design? Which clothing pieces do you find most challenging to design?

Constructed jackets are our favorite piece of clothing; we pay a lot of attention to our finishing and construction. Constructed pieces are the most challenging to design but it also gives us more room for experimentation. Also, heavy ornamentation/surface textures make the garments difficult to mold and sculpt hence, we face challenges with those garments.

Who is the one celebrity you would love to dress?

It would be Billy Porter for his unique fashion sense.

What do you hope to take away from this interview with Brown Girl Magazine?

It is inspiring to connect with a global community-building publication like Brown Girl Magazine which reaches out to a huge audience. One of the key takeaways from this conversation would definitely be the power of storytelling and narration as an individual from the creative industry and its influence on the upcoming generation of designers.

How has the power of storytelling influenced your past shows and how do you plan to utilize it in your future shows?

Storytelling is a key aspect and we utilize our runway sets to showcase our brand ethos and the inspiration behind the collection. We showcased the Fibonacci collection at Couture Week last season. The collection was inspired by the movement that marries precision with an architectural penchant for precision, guided by nature’s invisible rule — the Fibonacci wave. The intricate set for the show was built by artist Akon Mitra by combining thousands of origami pieces that arched over a ramp to depict a wave in perfect mathematical proportion. The set design reflected the beauty of patterns defined by Fibonacci’s irrational number, where every pattern is uniform and built with clear lines and divisions.

What do you want people to feel when they wear your designs?

Brides and grooms should be comfortable and feel true to themselves when they choose to wear us. We want our designs to empower their true personalities and shine through on their big day!

Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna have taken a unique approach to fashion design not only utilizing storytelling to define the identity of their goal consumer, but also modern art to shape their clothing lines. The brand has been featured in GQ, multiple fashion shows such as Amazon India Fashion Week, and dressed famous clients such as Aishwarya Rai, Deepika Padukone, and many more. Rohit and Rahul aren’t just two fashion designers that came together; Rohit + Rahul is a team that gives you an identity with their design work.

Featured image courtesy of Elevate Promotions. 

By Hrishika Muthukrishnan

Raised in North Carolina, Hrishika Muthukrishnan spent 18 years thinking there wasn’t much to the suburbs before she discovered how … Read more ›

Khushey: Fashionable Blouses Without the Suffering

khushey

While growing up, the only complaint I had when wearing desi clothes was that the embroidery on the fabric would always end up scratching my skin. As beautiful and intricate the details were, putting on an embellished blouse meant wearing an inner or a comfortable t-shirt underneath. Fortunately now, many South Asian brands are changing the game; focusing not only on the quality and intricacy of the embroidery, but also on comfort and wearability of the blouse itself. One such small business is Khushey.

Khushey is a one-stop shop for “buttery soft” performance blouses that don’t compromise on comfort for fashion and pair just as well with any of your mom’s saris as they do with your newest lehenga. In an interview with Brown Girl Magazine, founder Neha Seelam talks more about what inspired her to launch Khushey and what the brand has to offer.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Khushey (@shopkhushey)

Why did you want to start a brand that specializes in South Asian/Indo-Western blouses specifically?

I wanted to specialize in blouses because blouses are really the only part of Indo-Western clothing that I found a specific ‘problem’ with — one I thought I could solve. I absolutely love everything else about our clothing — with the variety of patterns/styles/cuts available, I feel that you can easily find the perfect piece out there.

But the part of South Asian clothing that my friends and I found to be a perpetual challenge was the blouse. They’re usually gorgeous, but by the end of the day you can’t wait to take them off. Also, it’s so hard to find a fit that looks seamless and beautiful — usually the chest, underarm or sleeve just wouldn’t fit the way you want it to with the heavy material and traditional tailoring.

I wanted to start off with basic colors but in shiny/formal-looking material that I could mix and match with all the different colors and styles of South Asian clothes that I already have in my wardrobe. The goal is that the blouses can be used multiple times with different outfits, are ideal for long nights of partying, and feel great against the skin.

What’s the story behind the brand’s name, Khushey? 

The English word “cushy,” which means comfortable, actually originates from the Hindi word ‘khushi’ (happiness). I thought that the origin story was very sweet and resonated with the idea of comfort and happiness I had for my label. That’s how I chose the word Khushey — slightly adjusting the spelling so I could snag the right URL! 

What is your number one priority when it comes to your blouses? 

Formal wear that’s actually comfortable! I would love for women to be in the moment at their celebrations, and not feel constrained, itchy, or uncomfortable in their blouse.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Khushey (@shopkhushey)

Who is your target customer? 

South Asian women! Customers, from recent graduates all the way to stylish moms, have loved the product — especially moms since they typically value comfort and movability if they have to chase down kids at events!

How do you think Khushey allows South Asian women to embrace their love for South Asian fashion? 

Over the last decade, I’ve seen women repurposing crop tops from Zara and H&M as sari blouses, and while I think that’s awesome and creative, I wanted to create an option for South Asian women where every detail was oriented around recreating the perfect sari/lehenga blouse. The shine is intended to be appropriate for formal wear, the cuts were inspired by some of my favorite blouses from when I was younger that wouldn’t have bra straps showing from underneath and were versatile for saris or lehengas, and the embroidery is intended to add a desi flair.

You’ve mentioned sustainability on your website. How are your blouses sustainable?

I plan to donate five percent of profits every year to a sustainable organization. Once I get enough interest from the public, I would like to fund new product lines that use eco-friendly materials that were prohibitively expensive for me to launch with. But I am eager to incorporate recycled spandex/nylon and metal into my pieces once I can afford to!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Khushey (@shopkhushey)

What sort of designs do you plan on incorporating into your label in the future?

I’ve thought of so many designs that I can build on. Starting with colors; I’d like to have all of the major colors available in my basic sleeveless blouse and then create a more modest version of that blouse with a variety of basic colors as well. 

I’d also love to expand the patterns and embroidery options on the blouses. I hope to create seasonal collections that enable me to tap into the vast array of style/color inspirations that South Asian wear includes.

[Read Related: Walking the Journey Through Time with The Saree Room]

Khushey promises to offer comfort and style, all packaged into one performance blouse that you can reuse with a variety of desi outfits. Like Neha said, ditch your Zara crop top for a design that actually complements your desi look. Make sure to keep your eyes out for her latest designs!

Avatar photo
By Shezda Afrin

Shezda Afrin is an aspiring physician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At the age of four, it was quite normal of her … Read more ›

Hand Embroidery: South Asia’s Not-so-Famous Contribution to Global Fashion

hand embroidery

South Asian fashion is nearly always associated with color, glitz, and ornate designs. From embellished bridal wear, weighing as much as the bride herself, to brightly colored sarees, Indian craft and hand embroidery is hard to miss — except when it’s showing up in non-Indian clothing.

Did you know that Jennifer Lopez’s famous green, jungle-print Versace dress from the 2000 Grammy Awards was hand-embroidered in India? Or that top luxury brands, including Gucci, Dior, and Saint Laurent, have quietly outsourced much of their embroidery to South Asia for over three decades now? As brands cross borders to connect and innovate through fashion, South Asia has come to the forefront of global fashion as the go-to region for hand embroidery. In 2019, India’s embroidery exports exceeded $230 million, which was a 500 percent increase from the 1990s. This isn’t simply because of the affordable labor and extra cushion for the bottom line — it’s a testament to the unmatched skill of South Asian artisans.

[Read Related: Honouring Tradition and Embracing my Heritage Through Ethnic Wear]

South Asian artisans, also known as ‘karigars,’ are the unnamed force behind a designer’s vision. They often reside in rural parts of the Subcontinent and have gathered skill, creativity, and knowledge over generations. During my travels this year, for the launch of my fashion brand Chaa Latte, I witnessed artisans train from as young as seven years old, mastering embroidery techniques by the time they’re in their teens. Crouched over a table in a dimly-lit room, these artisans work tirelessly to adorn yards of fabric with beautiful beads and sequins, or weave glistening gold yarn into silk and cotton with sometimes nothing more than their memory to guide the motif. Some of them have little to no education and have never stepped outside of their village. Yet, hand them thread and a needle and they are among the best embroiderers in the world.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Chaa Latte (@chaa_latte)

Is Indian hand embroidery as prolific as French lace? I would argue yes, and maybe even more, but without the fame. Established brands and their collections have stood on the craft of these rural artisans for decades but have rarely given credit. Only few Western designers, such as Dries Van Noten and Isabel Marant, proudly celebrate their relationship with Indian craftspeople. Perhaps because of this nearly silent partnership, a label that says “Made in India” or “Made in Bangladesh” does not equate to beautiful, luxurious work — rather, the complete opposite. Fast fashion may be one output, but the true strength of South Asia lies in centuries of incredibly intricate, slow, and artisanal processes.

In a Times of India article, David Abraham of Abraham & Thakore — a well-regarded Indian label — eloquently says that we must recognize the fact that India is one of the very few countries left that can still produce small lot, labor intensive, highly-skilled craft and textiles.

He adds, “And that is the true luxury in a world of growing mass consumerism and an antidote to the very real threats of environmental pollution, global warming and a growing understanding that we need to buy less, pay more for fashion that is more timeless, classic and responsible.”

South Asia’s fashion identity is at a crossroads, and it’s up to designers, especially the younger generation, to build brands that showcase the luxury and painstaking craft of South Asian embroidery, weaving, and the various other hand techniques mastered over centuries. I launched my fashion brand, Chaa Latte, late last year because I believe the true beauty of South Asian fashion is in the subtle, intricate craft and this simply isn’t accessible to North Americans in a way that fits their lifestyle seamlessly. I was set on designing modern pieces for people of all backgrounds, who have a love for art in the form of fashion and have an eye for unique detail.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Chaa Latte (@chaa_latte)

My first collection encompasses some of my favorite techniques and textiles from India and Bangladesh, including mirror work and silk handloom sarees. The detailing is balanced with simple silhouettes and a neutral color palette. I am now working on my second collection, which will be released in Spring/Summer of 2023. 

Like me, many young designers are tapping into their unique heritage to draw inspiration and bring attention to the Western world. I had the pleasure of speaking to two fellow South Asian designers who are making a mark on the US fashion industry, while highlighting their love for South Asian craft. When asked about the role of traditional textiles and techniques in their work, Niharika of Tega Collective responds:

With each collection our designs are co-created with a specific indigenous community highlighting their traditional colors, patterns and natural symbols. Every region in the world has incredible biodiversity so we focus on championing native fibers in South Asia like Khadi (indigenous cotton) and Eri (peace) silk originating from Assam, India.

[Read Related: Celebrity Designer Sanjay Garg Gives Us the Inside Scoop on Everything Handlooms and the Sari]

In a separate conversation with designer Sana Khan Patel, from Aara by Sana, she tells us how she was inspired to start her line:

When a family wedding took me back to my hometown of Lahore, Pakistan, after a long 18 years, I was blown away by the level of skill I saw in the gullys (streets) of Lahore. From fabric dyeing to intricate beading to the quality of tailoring, they did it all so effortlessly and with so much pride. I quickly realized that the artisans simply want to create art but unfortunately, in most cases they are overworked, underpaid and treated extremely poorly. I immediately knew that I wanted to work with and learn from these OG’s as much as I wanted to put them in a position of providing for their families.

It’s the hope that this recognition from up-and-coming brands, like Chaa Latte, will shed light into how much South Asia is truly lending to global luxury fashion and the rich history that makes these art forms unique to our countries.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Chaa Latte (@chaa_latte)

For more information on Chaa Latte, please visit our website and follow our journey on Instagram.

Feature Image: Hannah Schweiss Photography

By Promiti Prosun

Promiti Prosun is the Bengali Canadian designer and founder of fashion brand, Chaa Latte. Though most of her career was … Read more ›