Lailli and Alizey Mirza: India Does Embellishment and Craftsmanship Like Nowhere Else

There’s no single accessory that dresses up the look for Lailli and Alizey Mirza. Their vanities are overflowing with everything from faux feathers to fringe heels, corset belts, mesh boots, skyscraper heels and the works! And all this, on just a two-day stopover in Mumbai for designer Gaurav Gupta’s show. Plans are afoot to buy “beautiful fabrics, jewellery and handcrafted pieces,” say the content creators and Desi Bling cast members who are considered the world’s most fashionable elite, the ones who land coveted invites, take fashion risks on the red-carpet and create that 'it' playbook for after-party looks. They hopped on a flight from their home city Dubai, armed with 24X7 plans as they landed in the City That Never Sleeps and clearly, they are right at home with Mumbai’s effervescent vibe. Lailli encapsulates it: “There’s such an energy in Mumbai that’s impossible to replicate."

We get the drift, we tell her as we sit down to the party twins with the mostest as they give us a peek into their favourite baubles, what they love to wear at a destination wedding and more, in their own witty style. Manifest gives you the famous Mirza twins, unfiltered.

Manifest: You’ve recently visited Mumbai. If you had to sum up the experience in one word, what would it be?

Lailli Mirza (LM): Electric. There’s an energy in Mumbai that’s impossible to replicate—it’s ambitious, creative and constantly moving.

Alizey Mirza (AM): Mumbai has this energy that's hard to put into a single word, but if I had to, vibrant is one word that's stuck with me.

Did you manage to do a lot during the visit, or do you wish you had more hours in the day?

(LM): Definitely not enough hours. Every trip to Mumbai feels like it’s over before it’s begun. Between fashion appointments, meetings and events, we barely scratched the surface. It’s one of those cities that always leaves you wanting another trip.

(AM): I wish I'd had more hours. We were only in town for 48 hours, and a full day of that was dedicated to press and interviews, so time was tight. We did manage to sneak in a bit of jewellery shopping on Hill Road, Bandra, and we attended the Gaurav Gupta couture show, which was incredible. But there were entire neighbourhoods I didn't get to properly explore. I think that's the sign of a good trip though you leave already planning the next one.

What did you shop for while you were in Mumbai?

(LM): We couldn’t resist picking up beautiful fabrics, jewellery and handcrafted pieces. India does embellishment and craftsmanship like nowhere else, so we always come home with timeless pieces rather than trend-driven purchases.

(AM): Mostly jewellery. I love finding pieces that are hard to get anywhere else in the world and feel really specific to India. There's a craftsmanship there you just don't find elsewhere. I also love mixing and matching Indian jewellery with Western pieces—that blend is something I always gravitate toward.

What did you love about Gaurav Gupta’s latest collection?

(LM): The sculptural silhouettes are what stood out to us. Gaurav has an incredible ability to blur the line between fashion and art while still making every piece feel powerful and feminine. His work always feels theatrical without losing elegance.

(AM): I loved the silhouettes and the fabrics — there was such a sense of movement to everything. There were so many pieces I could genuinely see myself wearing, which doesn't happen at every show.

Are there any Indian designers you’re currently excited to wear or collaborate with?

(LM): Absolutely. Alongside Gaurav Gupta, we love Falguni Shane Peacock for unapologetic glamour and Tarun Tahiliani for his timeless approach to Indian couture.

(AM): I'm drawn to designers who really focus on their craftsmanship and bring a modern take on tradition. I've admired designers like Manish Malhotra and Sabyasachi for a while, and of course Gaurav Gupta as well.

If you could create a fashion collaboration with any Indian designer, who would it be and why?

(LM): Gaurav Gupta. I love sculptural fashion that feels like wearable art, and I think it aligns with my personal style.

(AM): I'd probably say Manish Malhotra, because I love the modern twist he gives Indian pieces. His designs feel young and fun, but still classy and elegant at the same time. That balance is exactly what I'd want to bring to a collaboration.

Who is your fashion icon?

(LM): I don’t really have one specific fashion icon. I draw inspiration from women who have a strong point of view rather than following trends. I admire people like Daphne Guinness and Natasha Poonawalla for being completely fearless, but I always want my style to feel like my own.

(AM): I'm drawn to women with classic, timeless style rather than anyone trend-driven. Currently I love Demi Moore's style. Queen Rania has always been a style inspiration for me—both dress extremely well and have such an elegant, chic style that I really admire.

What’s one item in your wardrobe you’ll never part with?

(LM): My grandmother’s jewellery. It carries history and sentiment that no new purchase could ever replace.

(AM): My Dior Bar jacket. It's so timeless and elegant, and it can easily be dressed up or down—that versatility is what makes it irreplaceable to me.

How would you compare Dubai’s fashion scene with Mumbai’s?

(LM): Dubai celebrates luxury, bold dressing and international fashion, while Mumbai has an incredible appreciation for craftsmanship, textiles and heritage. We love that both cities embrace glamour, but they express it differently. Dubai feels global, whereas Mumbai feels deeply rooted in artistry and culture.

(AM): Dubai is more flamboyant and more about making a statement, whereas Mumbai focuses more on the depth of craftsmanship and heritage. I personally love a mix of both.

Being sisters, do you steal from each other’s wardrobes? If so, what do you usually borrow?

(LM): All the time. We love stealing each other's sunglasses and jewellery. I feel like if you have a sister, the whole point is to steal from her.

(AM): If I'm borrowing from Lailli's wardrobe, it's usually a one-off piece, something eccentric and a little over the top. A feather boa, ostrich feathers, that kind of thing. She has the boldest pieces, so she's always my first stop whenever I'm looking for something OTT.

As entrepreneurs, how do feel creativity and business complement each other? What advice would you give young women hoping to build careers in fashion?

(LM): Creativity is what makes people notice you, but business is what gives your creativity longevity. As entrepreneurs, we’ve learnt that understanding branding, finance and strategy is just as important as having great ideas. Fashion is a business before it’s an aesthetic.

Our advice is to build something authentic instead of chasing trends. Develop your own point of view, be patient, and remember that consistency will always outperform overnight success.

(AM): I think creativity without structure doesn't really go anywhere, and business without creativity just isn't very interesting—you need both. For young women starting out, I'd say don't wait to feel fully ready before you begin and stay close to the people who'll tell you the truth, not just what you want to hear.

What would you wear to an Indian wedding?

(LM): A dramatic couture lehenga with beautiful embroidery, paired with heirloom jewellery. I love occasions where you can embrace maximalism.

(AM): I love looking well put together, but I'm also big on comfort, so heels definitely need to be comfortable. For an Indian wedding, I love my Amina Muaddi Rosie heels. They're comfortable and stylish, and they have a crystal bow that usually matches beautifully with Indian outfits. Beyond that, it really depends on the function. For a sundowner or a sangeet, I'd go for something modern like a corset sari. For the main function though, I'd probably lean toward a classic lehenga.

Heels or sneakers at a shaadi?

(LM): Heels for the entrance, photos and ceremony… and comfortable shoes hidden nearby for the dance floor.

(AM): Personally, I'd never wear sneakers to a wedding, so definitely heels. That said, I do think the heels need to be comfortable, especially if you're going to be on your feet dancing all night.

Vintage or modern jewellery or simply a mix of both?

(LM): A mix. We love pairing vintage heirloom pieces with contemporary silhouettes because it creates something personal rather than looking like a complete set.

(AM): I think it's important to have a mix of both, too. It really depends on the outfit you're wearing, but I definitely believe you can mix and match modern and vintage pieces together.

Finally, what does great style mean to each of you beyond the clothes?

(LM): Great style is confidence. You can wear the most beautiful outfit in the world, but if you don’t feel comfortable in it, people notice that first.

(AM): To me, great style is less about the clothes themselves and more about how someone wears them. It's really an extension of knowing who you are. I'd also say I'm quite classic in that sense; I always gravitate back to classic pieces rather than chasing every trend, because that's what actually feels like me.

What’s one fashion trend you’re embracing right now, and one you’re ready to leave behind?

(LM): We’re embracing beautifully tailored silhouettes and pieces that feel timeless rather than disposable. One trend we’re happy to leave behind is buying something purely because it’s viral. Personal style should outlast algorithms.

(AM): Embracing harem pants and ready to leave behind graphic tees.

Are you both foodies? What did you enjoy having in Mumbai?

(LM): Absolutely! We both love discovering great food whenever we travel. In Mumbai we enjoyed everything from fresh seafood and incredible North Indian cuisine to street-food-inspired flavours with a modern twist. And no trip is complete without ending the day with kulfi or a great cup of chai.

(AM): We sure are! Food is a huge part of how we experience a city and we enjoyed having pani puri at Hill Road.