Step into Aditi Rao Hydari’s world of timeless handlooms, where the rich texture of brocade textiles reign supreme. With a flair for ethnic wear that blends classic elegance with modern sensibilities, the Indian actress and style icon is known for her love of the versatile and luxurious fabric, which has been a part of Indian handloom since the 1600s when it was introduced in Gujarat due to a famine.
Today, renowned courtiers such as Payal Khandwala and Sanjay Garg of Raw Mango continue to incorporate the fabric into their creations, offering versatile and opulent garments that exude unmatched elegance. Join us as we explore the enduring appeal of handloom textiles like brocade and its place in Aditi Rao Hydari’s coveted wardrobe.
The Green Silk Kurta
Varanasi brocade fabrics have always been synonymous with luxury, with a timeless quality that exudes richness and opulence. In her recent ensemble, Rao Hydari showcased a beautiful piece from Raw Mango’s 2021 festive wear collection, featuring intricate ‘jaal’ motifs in gold thread. The green silk base of the outfit offered a refreshing break from the typical red and pink hues of festive wear, while the subtle pop of pink silk lining on the kurta added a touch of bespoke luxury to the ensemble.
The Sheer Organza Sari
Last year, the Ajeeb Daastaans actress was spotted in yet another must-see drape by Raw Mango that stood out for its unconventional blouse. Rao Hydari’s recent scarlet sari from Raw Mango yet again, is a classic example of how mixing and matching can lead to a strikingly unique look. The sheer organza silk and plain silk blend sari was adorned with intricate floral aari and zardozi buttis, while the vibrant round neck Benarasi silk blouse in pale gold, red and green with vertical stripes made for a surprising yet harmonious pairing. To complete her ethnic look, the star opted for a pair of uncut diamond-encrusted jhumkas and a choker from Kishandas & Co. Her nude lips, subtle bindi, and her go-to middle-parted bun adorned with fresh red roses added to the traditional charm.
The Pink Silk Brocade Jumpsuit
Rao Hydari’s fashion game was on point as she donned a stylish ensemble that perfectly balanced traditional Indian workmanship with contemporary tailoring. The stunning rani pink silk jumpsuit from Payal Khandwala’s collection featured a flattering V-neckline, tapering waistline, and wide-legged bottoms for maximum comfort and ease of movement. The handwoven silk brocade fabric added a touch of luxury to the ensemble, making it a true showstopper.
The Gold & Rani Pink Sari
Rao Hydari celebrated Dia Mirza’s wedding in a sheer gold and rani pink Raw Mango sari, featuring diagonal gold gota patti stripes that instantly added a hint of drama to her look. But the star of her ensemble was definitely her blouse, a classic number with a V-shaped neckline, elbow-length sleeves, and intricate gota striped detailing.
The Purple Handwoven Kurta Set
Given the Maha Samudram actress’ penchant for handloom weaves with her fashion picks, her affinity for Payal Khandwala’s timeless aesthetic seems to be justified. Put together by her stylist Sanam Ratansi, Rao Hydari was seen in a purple lehenga + kurta brocade set that would make a fitting bridal trousseau addition. Engineered with silk handwoven brocade, the stunning kurta set took three months of design and four weeks of set-up, as told by the designer. Each loom for the lehenga, kurta and dupatta was constructed separately keeping in mind the individual pattern of its distinctive silhouette. Every detail of the neckline, including the yoke, borders, body, sleeves and hem was plotted, graphed and carded from inception. Then mapped meticulously on a loom, it became the blueprint that gave this special brocade garment an illusion of embroidery.
The Crimson Silk Drape
Rao Hydari’s handwoven crimson silk sari from Gaurang Shah’s eponymous label was accented with patterns of beautiful peacocks on its gold zari border. A renowned textile specialist, Shah’s label is often credited for capturing the beauty of traditional handlooms, weaves and motifs inspired by Indian temples, ancient architecture as well as flora and fauna.
Rao Hydari, who knows the power of statement blouses for delivering a winning look, went with a multi-coloured brocade blouse by Madhulika Kapilavayi to round it off. Featuring a sweetheart neckline with contrasting green border, her blouse’s three-quarter sleeves were crafted with panels of yellow, green and red brocade with small floral buttis.
