Will Radhika Wear Manish Malhotra For Her Big Day? We Think So…
As the creative mastermind behind the pre-wedding festivities, Bazaar Arabia speculates that the celebrated fashion designer might be the top choice for the Ambani bride’s big day…
The Indian wedding of the century starts today and the excitement surrounding what Radhika Merchant, the bride-to-be, will wear on her big day is palpable.
For any Indian bride, the quest for the perfect wedding ensemble can feel like a Herculean task. The weight of this decision can be overwhelming, as brides sift through a sea of zari, silk, and opulent embroidery, navigating the diverse tastes of family and friends, and traditional customs, while staying true to their own vision.
It’s a choice laden with emotion, symbolism, and, of course, a fair amount of pressure. This is the outfit she will wear on the most important day of her life, immortalised in photographs and cherished memories.
Few designers have had as profound an impact on Indian fashion as Manish Malhotra. The designer is renowned for transforming Bollywood’s style landscape. From the iconic looks in Rangeela (1995) to his power-woman dressing in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023), his designs have continually set trends and inspired audiences.
Manish’s association with the Ambani family is well-established, featuring prominently in their most significant celebrations. His creative genius was on full display during Isha Ambani’s pre-wedding festivities in Udaipur in 2018, and more recently, in the grand opening of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, for which he designed over 1,300 costumes for the Civilization to Nation musical.
As Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding begins, Manish’s involvement is a given. He played a pivotal role as the creative director for the couple’s extravagant pre-wedding party in March. His responsibilities ranged from conceptualising themes to collaborating with industry stalwarts like set designer Sumanth Jayakrishnan and florists Jeff Leathem and Heena Patel. Events featured themes such as Evening in Everland, Mela Rouge, and Hastakshar, each a testament to Manish’s attention to detail and flair for the dramatic.
The garments crafted by Manish for the Ambani wedding have been spectacular. From Ivanka Trump’s custom lehenga to the breath-taking ensembles for Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Kiara Advani, Manish’s creations have truly set a new standard for opulence.
Radhika herself has been seen in several stunning Malhotra designs during the pre-wedding events, each piece meticulously crafted to perfection. For one pre-wedding appearance, Radhika wore a corset-inspired choli with a corded cape, a modern twist on traditional bridal wear. The ensemble, in champagne hues, featured intricate mirror and sequin work.
Though Radhika has donned Manish Malhotra five times throughout her pre wedding ceremonies, another standout piece was this custom lehenga that featured real gold zari borders embroidered with shlokas. The lehenga skirt, worn by Radhika to her Mameru ceremony, was complimented by a vintage koti blouse with metallic threadwork and Swarovski tassels.
As the wedding day draws near, speculation is rife about what Radhika will wear. Given Manish’s deep involvement and the evident trust the Ambani family places in him, it is highly likely that Radhika will don one of his creations for the big day.
Similar to Isha Ambani in 2018, we can expect to see Radhika in a traditional Gharchola saree, a staple in Gujarati weddings, for her Shubh Vivah ceremony. This saree, often gifted by the mother-in-law, symbolises the bride’s welcome into her new family and is known for its intricate Bandhani work.
For the Shubh Arshiwad (divine blessings), Radhika might opt for another traditional yet exquisite look, perhaps a lehenga or saree. And for the grand Mangal Utsav reception, we anticipate a show-stopping lehenga or a concept-saree gown that will undoubtedly make a lasting impression. Manish’s designs are known for their ability to capture the essence of an occasion while making a powerful fashion statement, and Radhika’s looks across all three events will likely be no exception.
Later today, the fashion world will no longer be on tenterhooks. Manish’s ability to capture the essence of an occasion and translate it into wearable art ensures that this wedding will set a new benchmark in bridal fashion.
For more on the Ambani wedding…
Lead image courtesy of Instagram/@manishmalhotraworld