Karisma Kapoor loves a good shade of red. Over the years, the actor has repeatedly turned to the shade and its many iterations for public and social appearances, wearing everything from dresses and gowns to kurtas and, of course, saris. That affinity showed up again when she chose a cherry-red conceptual sari-gown hybrid look by New Delhi-based designer Ridhi Mehra for one of her appearances on season 5 of the reality show India’s Best Dancer.
The concept sari is made in a gossamer fabric that falls fluidly around the body, but its USP is the way it is constructed. Rather than following a conventional Bengali or Gujarati style of drape, the sari’s ‘pallu’ wraps around the torso, while the other side falls from it in a long, sweeping panel. The asymmetric draping gives the silhouette an almost gown-like quality. At the bottom, the closely gathered pleats open out into a fuller fall that, at first glance, can almost be mistaken for a skirt. Kapoor swapped a predictable blouse for a structured corset with a sweetheart neckline and crystal-lined hem. The pairing makes the sari feel evening-ready and also retains its Indian-wear identity.
