For her intimate Christmas celebrations at home, Tara Sutaria chose a look that straddled intimacy with high drama. Though technically a modern co-ord set, Sutaria’s look by Gauri & Nainika reads as something far more versatile. Inching towards a compelling alternative to an ornate lehenga, it appears equally suited to a destination wedding soirée where modernity is prized as much as tradition.
At first glance, the ensemble feels like a modern-day lehenga reimagined through a contemporary lens. Comprising a high-waisted, billowing, floor-grazing skirt and a sculpted bralette, the set is lifted by painterly florals that bloom against a noir base. The ensemble is drawn from Gauri & Nainika’s Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI Spring–Summer 2026 showcase, where the designer duo unveiled a collection rooted in wearable artistry. Inspired by painted canvases, dark roses and moody still lifes, the line translated romance into tactile form using organza, tulle and silk mikado, shaping silhouettes defined by volume, bows, ruffles and drama. On Sutaria, these themes distilled into a maximalist floral piece that felt opulent and of-the-moment.
Black punctuated with bold florals has long held fashion’s imagination, from the late ’30s’ bias-cut evening gowns to the lacquered rose prints of the ‘50s. This lineage is mirrored on her look. The high-waisted skirt elongates the frame, offering a sleek, cinched foundation, while the bralette’s open back introduces a sensual counterpoint.
A sleek, centre-parted bun was adorned with red roses, complemented by a deep crimson lip, together conjuring a Frida Kahlo-esque romanticism. A pair of drop chandelier earrings added the final flourish, letting the noir florals take centre stage. With thoughtful styling, a skirt set, like hers, can seamlessly shift from a formal evening affair to a festive sangeet night. Swap the diamonds for polkis, dial up the drama with the makeup and you have a versatile statement that can be reworked and returned to, time and again.
