Indian outfits in Hollywood movies
It’s time for that little black number to make way for the lehenga. Indian styles are in fashion now! Hollywood has recognised Indian designers and are opting for traditional ensembles, styles and accessories, not just to be ‘in character’, but to look fa
Recently, the trailer for Netflix’s upcoming movie Murder Mystery 2 made headlines in India for a very fashionable reason. Indian fans were thrilled to see lead actor Jennifer Aniston wearing a beautiful ivory lehenga and chandbaalis in the trailer along with Adam Sandler in a matching sherwani. The chikankari lehenga from Manish Malhotra’s Khaab Mijwan collection was noticed on the release of the trailer, reacting to the Instagram post filmmaker Karan Johar commented, “Go Manish !!!!! It’s your lehenga !!!! ”
This isn’t the first time a Hollywood celebrity has rocked an Indian outfit — netizens were delighted at this unexpected collaboration, and the look went viral in no time.
GOING GLOBAL:
The list of Hollywood celebrities rocking Indian outfits is endless, and names like Beyonce, Madonna, Oprah, Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Sophie Turner, Julia Roberts, and Elizabeth Hurley have frequently flaunted their love for Indian wear from time to time. While Julia Roberts pulled off a handwoven cotton sari in the blockbuster Eat, Pray, Love, more recently Sarah Jessica Parker styled a stunning maroon and cobalt lehenga by Falguni Shane Peacock, for a scene in Sex and the City reboot And Just Like That… She completed her look with lilac sandals, a velvet potli and a braid. Designer Somya Khurana founder of Itsom, feels it’s a fabulous idea when Indian
INDIAN WEAR IS RICH AND SOPHISTICATED, AND HAND WOVEN TEXTILES OR HAND EMBROIDERED FABRICS ARE VERY MUCH IN DEMAND NOW. WHETHER IT’S JENNIFER ANISTON, SARAH JESSICA PARKER WEARING INDIAN BRANDS OR RIHANNA WEARING A CUSTOM ARMANI ORANGE TOP AND A BLACK SKIRT OR JLO IN RALPH LAUREN ORANGE CROP TOP SKIRT SET — THE STYLING IS ALL VERY SIMILAR AND GLOBAL. IT’S MORE ABOUT THE SILHOUETTE AND IF EXPLAINED
THIS WAY, INDIAN FASHION
MERGES INTO GLOBAL FASHION
WITH EASE AND ELEGANCE
ensembles get international recognition. She says, “It’s fantastic to see global stars flaunting Indian designer outfits. The traditional twist in Western wear as fusion is also very symbolic of amalgamating cultures from different countries. Showcasing the craftsmanship of a country at a prestigious platform is very rewarding for the designer as well.”
A WIN FOR THE CRAFTS:
The acceptance and recognition from an international star is a great morale booster for Indian designers, who feel the trend can support artisans and help the local economy.
IT’S FANTASTIC TO SEE GLOBAL STARS FLAUNTING INDIAN DESIGNER OUTFITS. THE TRADITIONAL TWIST IN WESTERN WEAR AS FUSION IS ALSO SYMBOLIC OF AMALGAMATING CULTURES FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. SHOWCASING THE CRAFTSMANSHIP OF A COUNTRY AT A PRESTIGIOUS PLATFORM IS REWARDING FOR THE DESIGNER AS WELL.”
Designer Seema Goenka of the label Woven Art, “I think it’s great to see Hollywood fashion icons like Jennifer Aniston pulling off an Indian garment so beautifully and it’s a matter of pride for the designers. The ivory lehenga with beautiful chikankari and hand embroidery is a classic choice, and she looks comfortable wearing it. It is great to see Indian crafts getting the spotlight internationally and many known names like Kate Middleton, Beyonce, and Sarah Jessica Parker etc. are endorsing the fine handwork and weaves of India beautifully. If styled well, foreign celebs can look good in Indian outfits like sari, salwar kameez, and lehenga, and more such crossovers would get us global recognition.”
Fashion today is boundless and the influx of social media has made the world more homogenous. Designer Anohita, founder of the label Khaddar, opines, “It’s heartening to see Jennifer Aniston wearing Indian lehenga for her movie, and the news has already enthralled the fashion industry. I feel Indian art and craft is so unique and rich, and there are several ways they can be utilised in any garment to enhance the look. One can wear Indian traditional clothes for work, daily wear, or special occasions and look graceful. With the rise in acceptance of Indian clothing worldwide, the artisans will also benefit as they would get paid better for their unique craft and hard work.”
WORKS FOR EVERYONE:
Indian fashion is versatile, and as the world is moving towards inclusivity and body positivity, there are many ways to mix and match desi colours, necklines, hemlines to customise the traditional sari and lehenga. Shilpa Bhatia, founder of NewYork-based Indian brand Terra Inde, says, “Indian wear is rich and sophisticated, and hand woven textiles or hand embroidered fabrics are much in demand now. Technically, a lehenga choli dupatta is nothing but a long flowy skirt worn with a blouse and topped off with a scarf and it looks elegant on whoever wears it. Whether it’s Jennifer Aniston, Sarah Jessica Parker wearing Indian brands or Rihanna wearing a custom Armani orange top and a black skirt or J Lo in Ralph Lauren orange crop top skirt set
— the styling is all similar and global.
SOMYA KHURANA , Designer