In the past two months, Aditi Rao Hydari has stopped wearing her casuals for special occasions. The actor switched to looks that fit her role and the historical setting of the Netflix series, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, which was directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The actor was busy promoting and later celebrating the show’s success. With her Manish Malhotra lehenga ensemble, Rao Hydari really “stayed in character” for one of her performances at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.
She went along the Palais des Festivals and des Congrès promenade in May 2024 wearing a gold lehenga from the seasoned designer’s most recent “Banaras” collection. Launched in April 2024 on Varanasi’s Namo Ghat beside the Ganges River, the edit features magnificent Indian clothing pieces that pay homage to the region’s talented artisanal Bunker community.
Rather of wearing traditional blouses akin to cholis, her lehenga is paired with a kurta that features elaborate tonal embroidery on the neckline and cuffs. The skirt’s embroidered border translates into the zari border used for the kurta’s hem.
“Bibbojaan core,” Rao Hydari said in the description of another of her looks. A deeper examination of her most recent selections reveals that they are celebrations of Indian craft and artistic legacy rather than a literal replication of Heeramandi’s style.
Among the most striking pieces is the Mayyur Girotra kurta set, which has elaborate mirror gota and multicolored resham embroidery. We adore how the mustard-printed salwar and the purple short anarkali style contrast. The dupatta, with its rainbow of hues, depicted the Rabari needlework from Kutch.
Her Qbik sharara set, which is crafted from pashmina silk, is another striking ensemble. The beautiful jewel-toned empire-cut kurta, known as Gulab Mahal, is embellished with a variety of beading, gold zari, dabka, and painstaking Kashmiri (Kashida) hand embroidery methods, creating the impression of a “cityscape in an ideal world.” Gota piping completes the pants with a flair.
With her Ridhi Mehra sharara ensemble, which “features an embroidered cape with floral motifs and a thread-embroidered net blouse adorned with pleats,” the actor furthered her case for desi Barbiecore. Organza sharara is the ideal complement to the striking feather pattern on the cape, which lends a whimsical touch to the elegant outfit.
The collection by Rao Hydari goes beyond lehengas and kurtas. It also had stunning saris, such the Raw Mango Bandhani set in emerald green, worn with a Benarasi silk top.
