WOVEN IN TRADITION

As much as we'd love to drape ourselves in freshly crafted designer bridalwear, the emotional power of heirlooms is unparalleled. Be it saris, lehengas or jewellery, brides take pride and pleasure in carrying vintage pieces from their grandmothers' trunk to the mandap. Five top couturiers share precisely how they reinvent and modernise heirloom pieces to make this happen.

- By AAKANKSHA JAIN

While the world of bridal fashion offers an array of looks from top designers and luxury brands, the sentiments and nostalgia associated with family heirlooms is unmatched. In a world constantly in flux, heirlooms allow us to pause, reflect and carry the past into our future with grace, elegance and meaning. For brides and grooms-to-be, embracing heirloom fashion is the perfect way to bridge the past and present with “something borrowed” that’s wrapped in history, emotion and a timeless sense of belonging. However, these garments often require subtle reinventions and tweaks to align with current aesthetics. Five top fashion design luminaries, who seek a balance between tradition and contemporaneity, share how they transform vintage pieces into modern masterpieces.

AN EXTRAORDINARY HERITAGE

RITU KUMAR

For designer Ritu Kumar, true heirlooms are anchored in heritage craftsmanship, intricate weaves and the rich traditions of Indian textiles. Hand-embroidered details, classic motifs and traditional crafts like chikankari and kantha ensure that a piece remains just as exquisite even decades later.

“Heirlooms are woven with sentiment,” she says. “A sari or lehenga passed down through generations is more than just fabric — here, the bride carries history.”

Ritu Kumar believes in the transformative power of styling, where a vintage Banarasi dupatta can be draped over a structured dress, or an ancestral lehenga can be paired with a minimalist, contemporary blouse.