Indian Luxury Designers Who Gave Saree a Twist

For the longest time, saree, in all its element was an outfit associated with tradition, culture and ethnicity. However, with the humongous shift in demand for newness and modernity designers have put in their most creative foot forward in revamping this age-old style. Maestros of this industry, in the last few years have shown time and again that something so standard that reeks authentic Indian subculture is open to massive exploration and versatility right from its draping style to the hem line, everything is capable of reinvention to fit the perfect amount of chic and quirk that the millennial bride desires. Well, who would have thought that the amount of effort that goes into draping a saree can be reduced to zero with the invention of pre-stitched sarees that too with much more design possibilities and the comfort of mobility without losing that ‘perfect’ drape? It won’t be unfair to credit our country’s ace designers who have shaped the road ahead for this trend with Sabyasachi Mukherjee playing with prints and going all in with low cuts and necklines and Anita Dongre with her print and fabric explorations. While these designers still stuck to the traditional style, let’s check some of the most renowned luxury fashion industry specialists who’ve curated some extremely unique and trend setting saree style statements.

1. Gaurav Gupta

It is no surprise to begin this list with one of the finest luxury designers India’s been blessed with. Gaurav Gupta has not just revamped Saree as a garment but the whole idea around draping with his absolutely stunning skills around structured drapes and silhouettes which have made him definitely a bridal favourite for the sheer uniqueness that sets him apart from the traditional craftsmanship.

2. Amit Aggarwal

Nobody in their wildest dreams could have imagined polymer being introduced to the Indian Saree culture that too so innovatively. Amit Aggarwal definitely made headlines for all the right reasons with a bang on trend setting style statement besides his consistent exploration with ruffles and pre-draped Dhoti Sarees.

3. Manish Malhotra

Only Manish Malhotra could have added his signature glitz and glamour to an outfit that beams culture and ethnicity with the newness and chic along with best of his design sensibilities that led to sarees being called sexy and become a Bollywood favourite for the young trend setters who don’t shy away from experimenting.

4. Shantanu and Nikhil

This designer duo has constantly proved their expertise in draping techniques with leaving no stone unturned in playing around drapes, be it for women or men with a thousand cuts, silhouettes and styles. Therefore, it was only fair to reinvent traditional saree draping techniques so incredibly especially with the introduction of pre-stitched sarees where the most complicated drape remains intact.

5. Rimzim Dadu

Luxury is determined by exclusivity. Well what more exclusive than silicon sheets and metallic woven yarns with a blend of leather cords? Rimzim Dadu has become an epitome of textile revolution in perfect sync with the need to shift to innovative textiles. She has set the perfect example to utilise the country’s rich handicraft expertise. Well, enough reasons for Sonam Kapoor to don one of these beauties at Cannes?

6. Ridhi Mehra

A designer invariably known for her absolute obsession with vintage aesthetics and love for European design elements, it isn’t startling to realise how gracefully and appealingly she’s tapped on the ruffle saree trend with minimalistic fabrics ruffled right from the blouse to the hem, bishop sleeves and statement belts adding the perfect quirky addition to a completely elegant outfit.

7. Sonaakshi Raaj

Rightly acknowledged as the ‘saree-gown specialist’ by vogue, Sonaakshi Raaj is a young accomplished designer who has given the much needed push to produce conventional yet fashion forward sarees through her ultra-feminine cuts, layering and draping techniques along with her love for ruffles to give that contemporary appeal in soft and sheer fabrics finished with minimal yet sophisticated embroideries.

8. Anushree Reddy

Another millenial bride favourite, Anushree Reddy renowned for her signature style with extremely flattering silhouettes, an eye pleasing pallete with soft and subdued tones finished with extremely intricate yet tasteful embroidery has obviously worked extensively with super girly and elegant ruffled sarees along with some absolutely pretty prints perfect for the urban bride.

9.Tarun Tahiliani

10. Payal Khandwal

Acknowledged for her unique perspective around colours, cuts and proportions, she’s aced the need for a modern Indian wardrobe with easy and minimal separates in sophisticated colour palettes through her ‘little saree’ concept which is fit to be draped with any and every western outfit for the perfect Indo-Western fusion. Another feather to her cap has been the hand-woven reversible silk sarees.

11. Masaba

The undisputed queen of eccentric digital printed fabrics, Masaba doesn’t back out from setting trends rather than following the parade with absolutely unconventional palazzo sarees and unique drapes. Her dhoti style draped denim saree popularised by none other than Sonam Kapoor is yet another masterpiece of hers with the exact contemporary twist that her brand represents.

12. Rahul Mishra

Rahul Mishra is quite a few steps ahead in terms of designing because besides inculcating absolute technicalities and intricacies in his curations, he is known to blend art and science, even in the process of producing his own hand-woven textiles, only an expert fashion veteran can come up with a fabric made of blended wool and chanderi. His one-sided jacket and Angrakha combinations with sarees have taken the fashion trends by storm.

13. Anamika Khanna

Globally acknowledged for intermixing Indian traditional crafts with western tailoring enchantingly, Anamika Khanna has gained appreciation especially for her capes, drapes and dhoti style pants. Well, clearly no doubts on that front because her forte has been on the forefront in her innovate ensembles in the Saree segment with capes and dhoti drapes being a stalwart.

14. Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla

Usually known for their extremely ornate handcrafted and traditional pieces, these industry legends definitely started a rage with Sonam Kapoor’s double pallu sarees that too not just one but in two distinctly creative draping techniques. It wouldn’t be unfair to admit that most of us have definitely gotten atleast one similar outfit considering what a style statement this was!

15. Arpita Mehta

Arpita Mehta’s style represents a modern, minimalist and chic woman. With her extremely urban design aesthetics in terms of cut, colour and silhouettes finished with her signature contemporary mirror work, she’s a bridal favourite. A ruffled saree with a chic ruffled belt is definitely her style. Her saree explorations on this front with her sophisticated yet fashionable taste in prints are highly popular.

16. Anavila

A blouse that flatters your body shape might have been a compulsion before but nobody other than Anavila could have normalised boxy silhouettes with contemporary draping styles. Not a single ornamentation, classic fabrics yet exemplifies luxury. A cropped saree with ruffled sleeves and hem coupled with Anavila aesthetics is definitely what we need.

17. Diksha Khanna

Carrying off beautifully a bizarre style statement and Sonam Kapoor go hand in hand. Who better than her to pull off Diksha Khanna’s ripped denim saree re-invention that too with a shirt replacing a blouse? This abundant talent has defied all standards with her drapes and blouses. You can totally expect her to come up with a hooded blouse and a hand crochet denim palla.

18. Payal Singhal