For Swadesh’s one-year anniversary, Isha Ambani committed to a maximalist look. Ambani wore a lehenga set by New Delhi-based label Torani and was styled by Anaita Shroff Adajania. The look, created in collaboration with , brings together kalamkari, a hand-painted textile art from Andhra Pradesh and pattachitra, a cloth painting technique from Odisha. It features the story of Radha and Krishna painted in shades of electric blue, vermillion and shimmering gold on an ivory base. Zardozi, French knots, moti work, mirrors and tassels surround these painted scenes, adding dimension and texture to the look, which took 10 artisans over 90 days of painting and 2,000 hours to craft.
The choli, longer than a traditional one, features a deep V-neckline and cap sleeves that keep the shape simple. Elsewhere, mirror work, beaded tassels and painted panels at the waist make it just as detailed as the lehenga. This look is a testimony of how Indian crafts, when done with finesse and technique, can read as artwork more than an outfit.
The jewellery and the hair, too, go along with the look. Ambani opted for a choker set from Nita Ambani’s personal collection featuring polki meenakari and pearls. Her ear jewellery is an ornate cuff shaped like a peacock with -style droppings —a nod to the peacock feather seen on Lord Krishna., The bird appears on her hand as well as embellishments on her kadas.
Her hair is styled in a classic half-up, half-down style and is decorated with a custom parandi by Tonoto, handmade using dabka, resham, katdana, sequins, pearls, and semi-precious stones that are fully coordinated with the outfit. She finished the look with a glowy makeup look that features a striking blue eye shadow and pink lip.
From Vogue’s fashion desk:
“We love it when art exists out of the canvas and on garments. Hand painted garments may just be the newest form of one-of-a-kind luxury. This festive season, inject a bit more personality and craft into your wardrobe. Why not get your local Gond artist or Miniature artist or Tanjore artist to create on an existing garment in your trousseau—it could be a plain sari, a blouse or even a tank top. Isha Ambani Piramal shows us how this can be decadently done with the Torani hand painted Pattachitra lehenga.” says Divya Balakrishnan, Vogue India fashion associate.