After months of pregnancy rumours, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh put an end to speculation and announced that the actress is expecting their first child in February 2024. Since then, Padukone has set a high precedent for maternity style with an eclectic mix of elegant dresses, easy separates and sharp suiting. It quickly emerged that she continued to stay true to her statement-making signature style even with Indian wear. Of course, the most notable has been her out-of-the-box choices for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding celebrations in July.
The Ambani Family Chose Manish Malhotra, Anamika Khanna And Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla
Most Bollywood beauties, from Janhvi Kapoor to Ananya Panday, went with pieces from the likes of Manish Malhotra, Anamika Khanna and Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. These three couturiers were also the wedding wardrobe choice for the Ambani family. Everyone including Nita Ambani, Isha Ambani, Shloka Ambani as well as the bride Radhika Merchant opted for couture by them. This comes as no surprise as they are the biggest names in the realm of traditional Indian fashion. Not to mention, their craftsmanship, designs and silhouettes are unmatched.
But besides the creative motivation, there’s also a commercial impetus that led the Ambanis to this decision. For the uninitiated, Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Brands Limited hold a major stake in the three designer’s namesake labels. In October 2021, Reliance Industries raked up 40% stake in the Manish Malhotra brand. The next year, the conglomerate inked a controlling 51% stake in Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla (AJSK). While the company doesn’t have a joint venture in couturier Anamika Khanna’s main couture line, Reliance owns a 60% share in her millennial-facing concept label, AK-OK.
What Was Deepika Padukone’s Thought-Process When She Picked Torani
But Deepika took the off-the-beaten path by going for couture by Torani. The mom-to-be is known for her timeless preferences. She favours classic silhouettes, from stately lehenga to traditional weaves. She leans on fabrics that remind you of the elegance of the era gone by. She always waves the flag for heritage Indian craftsmanship. She can work ‘em most wants couturiers, but above all she holds a special spot in her heart and wardrobe for those hidden gem of designers. And by going with Torani for the Ambani wedding is proof. The star shunned the standard suspects for the wedding with the aim to give other well-deserving, independent designers, like Karan Torani, a platform via her social media account and promote their stunning work.
Led by Karan Torani, the New Delhi-based label is “a house nostalgia that takes inspiration from the fables and memories of his grandmother.” Every ensemble from Torani exemplifies the designer's love for vintage aesthetics, Indian looms and handicrafts. Think clothes that hold the romance of bygone times and through the modern lens. The same can be said to describe Padukone’s aesthetic when it comes to traditional wear.
A Closer Look At Deepika Padukone’s Choice Of Torani Outfits
Padukone didn’t pick one, but two stunning outfits by Torani for Anant-Radhika’s lavish wedding celebrations. Taking the style world by storm, she first made her way to the couple’s sangeet ceremony in a purple sari. Aptly called the Hukum Ki Raani Sari Set, the actress looked like a queen by every measure in the gorgeous drape from the designer’s Leela collection. First is the sari’s rich purple shade that symbolizes royalty. The organza sari is completely embroidered with intricate handwork in silver threads along with pearls, zari, and dori embellishments. The same work makes up the blouse. The sari, which took 3,400 hours to make, takes inspiration from “the 16th-century architecture of Hyderabad's Chowmahalla Palace, and the Chaukhandi tombs of Karachi.”
Deepika also showed her appreciation for Indian crafts and Torani with the red kurta she wore the couple’s wedding ceremony on July 12, 2024. Flaunting her baby bump and pregnancy glow, the actor picked the Mannara kurta set from the same ‘Leela’ collection by the designer. Cut using jeni silk and organza, the set consisted of a flared kurta, sharara pants and a matching dupatta. The set was completely adorned with gold embroidery and kiran border.
Other Bollywood Celebrities Who Wore Torani At Anant-Radhika’s Wedding
Kiara Advani was also a vision in a rani pink and purple lehenga by the brand for Anant and Radhika’s pheras. Called Raasleela Shyama Lehenga Choli, the outfit is a “love letter to the peacocks of Vrindavan… featuring motifs of the cypress tree, lotus reimagined in the form of signature Torani chintz & the pan, chidi & Dil.” It is exquisitely handcrafted with succha pure zari zardoz, and embellished with motia and dori waraq on a canvas of jamuni rang. The rani pink choli is inspired by the visuals rajputana miniatures.
Tamannaah Bhatia went with a vintage gold and black lehenga for the duo’s Mangal Utsav ceremony. The Bhadra Nalika Lehenga showcased a structured mermaid-like silhouette and a sensual blouse. Crafted using premium quality Jeni silk and net, this set features a net dupatta with embroidered border and motif detailing.