Sreeleela is ushering the season in rose quartz, which can be touted as a coveted colour for festive times. Pink may be a mainstay in Indian occasionwear collections, but with her recent appearance in New Delhi-based designer Ridhi Mehra’s lehenga, she’s giving the familiar hue a contemporary direction.
“With this look, I wanted to honour the richness of India’s textile heritage, while giving it a distinctly contemporary expression,” says Mehra about the actor’s richly worked piece that places craftsmanship at the forefront. Peach-toned ornate arches frame the hem of the voluminous raw silk lehenga, while floral, geometric and architectural motifs come together through intricate surface ornamentation across the rose quartz base.
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The blouse mirrors the same embellished treatment and showcases a sculpted sweetheart neckline, short structured sleeves and a dramatic open back while. A delicate net dupatta in the same peachy-orange hue and matching ornate border rounds off the look. “The ensemble is richly-embellished with appliqué and hand-executed zari and aari embroidery, inspired by the intricacy of traditional marodi work. Embroidered over 637, every element reflects the depth of technique, precision and artistry that defines the piece,” adds the designer.
Sreeleela offset the traditional richness of the lehenga with modern styling. Rather than layering with ostentatious jewellery, she accessorised with a delicate uncut diamond maang tikka and drop earrings. Fashioned from the same textile as the dupatta, her hairband is the cleverest use of turning leftover fabric into an accessory. Romantic pink and peach tones in her makeup echoed the palette of her lehenga with the iridescent nails following suit. Her half up-half down hair style also lends to the relaxed look.
Designed as an investment piece, this lehenga can move effortlessly from a Diwali celebration to a lavish wedding. Its versatile palette and intricate craftsmanship make it the kind of occasionwear worth returning to, long after the festive season is over.
Also read:
Sreeleela’s Banaras-inspired rani pink lehenga was hand-embroidered over 150 hours
Sreeleela’s sari reimagines the classic style with a fish-cut silhouette and gota patti
Sreeleela’s Ridhi Mehra lehenga shows what tissue can do under heavy embroidery
