A Curated Celebration of Couture that Blends Heritage, Innovation, and Unforgettable Glamour. Six Visionaries Redefining Indian Couture for a New Generation of Brides & Beyond
- Manish Malhotra
At India Couture Week 2025, Manish Malhotra brought nostalgia and glamour together in his show titled “The Eternal Muse.” Drawing inspiration from vintage cinema and regal archives, he delivered a collection that balanced ornate embellishments with fluid modernity. Signature sequins, intricate zardosi work, and sweeping capes met structured corsets and translucent layers, creating looks that were both dramatic and wearable. The palette ranged from dusty rose to champagne gold, ivory, and muted metallics, all evoking a timeless charm.
Malhotra’s couture is more than fashion it’s storytelling stitched in silk and sparkle. As always, he understood the modern Indian woman: rooted in heritage but ready for the global stage. His collection was a celebration of femininity, nostalgia, and unapologetic opulence.
2. Falguni Shane Peacock
Known for turning maximalism into an art form, Falguni Shane Peacock’s ICW 2025 collection was a powerful ode to contemporary couture. With a bolder, edgier direction this season, the designer duo embraced deeper tones graphite, crimson, and sapphire paired with their iconic mirror work, feathers, and sharp tailoring. This wasn’t bridal wear meant to sit still it was built for movement, energy, and attitude. Floor-sweeping trains, asymmetric hems, and sculpted bodices were seen throughout.
There was an evolution in their design language less glitter for glitter’s sake, more focus on silhouette and detail. The craftsmanship, however, remained unmistakably theirs. Janhvi Kapoor’s showstopper look a crystal mesh gown with a plunging neckline and dramatic shoulder cape brought the house down. Falguni Shane Peacock doesn’t cater to tradition; they challenge it. Their 2025 couture was for the fearless woman bold in expression, confident in skin, and unafraid to turn heads.
3. Tarun Tahiliani
Tarun Tahiliani’s showcase at ICW 2025 was a breath of artisanal elegance. His collection, titled “Threads of Time,” redefined Indian couture with weightless fabrics, understated embellishments, and meticulous layering. Known for his precision in draping and modern tailoring, Tahiliani brought together heritage techniques like chikankari, gota patti, and kasab embroidery with a more fluid, contemporary aesthetic.
The color palette was soft and graceful blush tones, ivory, rose gold, and earthy browns meant to flatter every complexion without overpowering. Every piece was crafted to move, breathe, and live on the body. Unlike the drama of the more maximalist collections, Tahiliani’s strength lay in his restraint. He reminded the audience that couture can whisper and still make a statement. Perfect for the elegant, modern Indian bride who wants comfort with class, his collection proved that luxury doesn’t need to shout it just needs to feel right. Quiet couture never looked so powerful.
4. Rahul Mishra
Rahul Mishra’s ICW 2025 collection, “The Realm of Bloom,” was nothing short of poetic. Drawing from his signature philosophy of “slow fashion” and sustainability, Mishra turned the runway into a living garden. Each ensemble was handcrafted by artisans across rural India, making every piece a celebration of community, time, and care. The silhouettes were romantic yet structured floor-length capes, panelled jackets, lehengas with storybook embroidery, and saris that looked like paintings in motion. His palette was soft but striking: blush pinks, ivory, marigold, and forest green. Florals, birds, and mythical elements were brought to life through delicate threadwork, sequins, and 3D motifs. More than just couture, the collection felt like a meditation on nature, on beauty, and on India’s textile legacy. In a season filled with drama and dazzle, Mishra offered stillness and soul. His garments didn’t just dress the body—they whispered to the heart.
5. Amit Aggarwal
Always pushing the boundaries between fashion, art, and sustainability, Amit Aggarwal’s ICW 2025 collection was a tour de force in future couture. Titled “Splice,” his designs fused traditional Indian craftsmanship with new-age polymers, metallic textiles, and recycled elements. The result? Structured yet fluid ensembles that felt like living sculptures. Shades of jewel green, chrome silver, and cosmic blue dominated the runway, creating a palette that was at once industrial and organic.
Aggarwal’s signature was present in every fold architectural forms, recycled metallic cords, and strategic draping that created illusion and depth. What made this collection stand out was its unapologetic commitment to innovation. These weren’t garments made to imitate the past they were built for tomorrow. His muse? The urban Indian woman who values originality, tech-driven elegance, and sustainability in equal measure. With each outfit, Aggarwal reminded the industry that the future of couture lies in reinvention not replication.
6. JJ Valaya
JJ Valaya’s ICW 2025 collection, “Baroda to Barcelona,” was a rich tapestry of royal nostalgia and global sophistication. The designer, known for his mastery in combining history with haute couture, brought together Indian regality and Spanish flair in an East-meets-West celebration. Deep jewel tones emerald, ruby, sapphire and heavy velvets were balanced with intricate threadwork, brocade overlays, and signature Valaya crests.
Traditional Indian silhouettes like lehengas, sherwanis, and angarkhas were reinterpreted with international styling: structured capes, military inspired jackets, and flamenco-inspired flares. The craftsmanship was intricate but never overpowering, keeping the wearer at the center of the story. Each piece felt like a time-traveling artifact part archive, part aspiration. Valaya’s couture isn’t just clothing it’s culture stitched into fabric, refined by time, and destined for legacy.
As India Couture Week 2025 unfolded, it became clear that couture is no longer just about embroidery or extravagance & it’s about identity, intent, and innovation. From Manish Malhotra’s romantic nostalgia and Falguni Shane Peacock’s fearless glamour, to Tarun Tahiliani’s whispered luxury and Rahul Mishra’s nature-rooted storytelling, each designer brought forward a deeply personal and powerful narrative. Amit Aggarwal reminded us of the future of fashion-boldly sustainable and sculptural, while JJ Valaya transported us through time and culture with regal precision. Together, these visionaries didn’t just create garments, they wove emotion, craftsmanship, and modern legacy into every thread. For the discerning bride and the style connoisseur alike, ICW 2025 offered not just fashion, but a moment in history worth remembering.
