Actor Alia Bhatt and designer Manish Malhotra have shared a longstanding friendship. Bhatt wore a custom patchwork creation from Malhotra for her wedding, designed the costume for her character in the movie Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani was designed by him and she has also walked the ramp for his shows on multiple occasions. Recently, for Malhotra’s show celebrating 15 years of his association with the Mijwan Welfare Society, the actor, once again, turned a showstopper. But unlike her previous lehenga looks on the ramp, this time, the designer dressed her in an ethereal sari that was both craft forward and contemporary.
The actor wore an ivory georgette sari inundated with intricate tone-on-tone thread embroidery, with crystal-encrusted scallop-hem borders. The handiwork gave the sari an effect of lace despite its chikankari-inspired designs. An organza veil with matching floral embroidery and pearl detailing completed the look. A ruched fabric blouse designed like a bandeau with thin pearl straps completed the modern-traditionalist look.
Bhatt’s jewellery elevated the look to couture’s newer heights. She wore a tiered polki choker featuring uncut diamonds in an array of sizes and pearls worth 310 carats. She also wore a maang tikka featuring an uncut diamond and pearl dropping, earrings with pearl-encrusted kaan chains and one-of-a-kind haath phools on both hands designed between a bangle and a ring.
Bhatt’s makeup tied the look together. Her longtime makeup artist Puneet Saini kept her skin dewy and her makeup in the rosy bronze territory across her eyes, cheeks and lips. Her slick back bun, courtesy of hair stylist Mike Desir, drew the attention to the high-points of her face, namely her highlighted cheeks.
From the Vogue desk:
“The sari is delicate and sophisticated, and doesn’t need much on the wearer’s part for elevating it further. For a contemporary look, I would swap the polki necklace with a solitaire diamond necklace with rubies or emeralds and matching studs,” shares Ashwini Arun Kumar, Vogue India’s fashion features editor.
Also read:
Alia Bhatt walked the ramp for Manish Malhotra in waist-long locks, and we can’t get enough
Alia Bhatt’s Met Gala looks over the years
Alia Bhatt made a case for a modern sari with a strapless corset blouse
