A Return to Authenticity

New-age couples are paying a sartorial ode to heritage through a modern lens on their D-day – creating a safe space for artisans and traditional crafts to find new relevance

- By Pooja Prabbhan Srijith

"The new generation wants authenticity. They're asking questions about where their garments come from, how they're made, and by whom. For us, that's a beautiful evolution. It's led to a new kind of couture — one with lighter silhouettes, thoughtful detailing, and pieces that can be worn again," says designer Anita Dongre.

As bridal couture witnesses a steep inclination towards empowering artisans and building a kind of luxury that feels responsible and real, the memo for Indian couturiers remains crystal clear: honour tradition while bringing it back into contemporary relevance. Her eponymous label has been reinterpreting traditional crafts like gota patti, bandhani, and pichhwai in softer, more breathable fabrics — pieces that are heirloom-worthy yet effortless to wear for weddings in 2025. The designer’s latest unveil, 'Crafts of India', an Autumn/ Winter 2025 couture collection is an ode to artisans across generations, and reinterprets time-honoured crafts like Ajrakh, Pichhwai, Bandhani, and Benarasi weaves. These crafts are transformed into contemporary silhouettes, from lehengas and drapes to co-ords and jacket sets, infused with jewel tones, and sunlit hues.

'Crafts are classics'