Alia Bhatt, the reigning queen of Bollywood, is showing us all how to be festive and practical at the same time. For the second time, she’s proven that heavy, can-can lehengas don’t deserve to be locked away in your wardrobe. At Manish Malhotra’s Diwali party, she effortlessly re-wore the pink patchwork lehenga from her Mehendi ceremony, making a bold statement about sustainable style.
This isn’t just any ordinary lehenga. Styled by Ami Patel, it boasts approximately 180 textile patches, block prints, and intricate embroidery. Crafted by Mijwan women, it embodies the heart of Indian artistry, taking a whopping 3000 hours of dedicated labour to create. The lehenga’s diverse mix of fabrics, including bandhani, banarasi brocade, jacquard, and kacha resham knots, lends it a unique bohemian appeal. Intricate detailing like coins and tassels add to its richness, reflecting both Bhatt’s taste and a tapestry of traditional crafts from across India.
Two years later, Bhatt reimagined the look by switching up her hair and jewellery. She opted for a swept, half-messy updo, a departure from the loose, beachy tresses she wore earlier. The heavy kundan and emerald set from the Mehendi was swapped for equally stunning, but more minimalist, heavy kundan and polki chaandbalis and kadhas from Dedhia Jewellers, keeping the neck bare and free. The signature Alia Bhatt glam remained – rosy cheeks, freckled natural skin, and tinted lips – completing the elegant and effortless ensemble.
This is not the first time Alia Bhatt has made a conscious effort to promote sustainable fashion. Her choice to reuse this elaborate, handcrafted piece is a powerful message. It shows that true style is about more than just buying the latest trends. It’s about finding ways to reuse and repurpose what you already have, celebrating the artistry and heritage embedded within garments, and creating a fashion landscape that is both beautiful and mindful.