Diana Penty’s Mahima Mahajan sari is densely worked from edge to edge. Fine gold butti embroidery is distributed evenly across the red silk. The embroidery becomes heavier and more concentrated, marking the outline of the drape as it falls from shoulder to hem and giving the sari a clearer finish.
It is paired with a corset-style blouse, hand-embroidered and cut to sit close. The shaping is visible in the seams and structure of the blouse, setting it apart from a conventional sari blouse while keeping the drape itself unchanged. By concentrating embroidery on the blouse and along the sari’s edges, the look avoids feeling scattered, even with extensive surface work.
Stylist Namita Alexander accessorised Penty with a diamond choker, matching earrings and stacked bangles that sit comfortably alongside the sari’s detailing. The standout is a beige mini bag by Özel from the Özel x Mortantra collaboration. The bag is embroidered with zardozi paisley motifs and finished with metallic detailing. The handle, crafted from a traditional hasli neckpiece, gives the bag a distinct identity and ties it back to the jewellery worn with the sari.
Hair is worn in loose, side-parted waves. Makeup by Séverine Perina stays warm and natural, with softly lined eyes and a neutral lip that sit comfortably alongside the richness of the sari and accessories.
From Vogue’s fashion desk
“Reimagine this red look for a day wandering a gallery. Ditch the heavy jewellery and pair a simple silk or georgette red and cream polka sari with a cropped blouse. Try an off-white lace blouse with a small puff sleeve for a romantic, vintage edge or a boxy crop top with reverse polka to play with pattern. Finish with simple kolhapuris or keds and pull your hair into a clean top knot,” says Vogue India’s fashion associate Divya Balakrishnan.
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Diana Penty made a case for fringe and sequins in a Tarun Tahiliani ensemble
Anupama Parameswaran’s silk sari is built on bold colour breaks
For its 130th anniversary, Louis Vuitton honours the monogram that maharajas once loved
