7 Designers To Turn To If You’re Looking To Be An Avant-Garde Bride

Not every bride dreams of walking down the aisle in an embroidered zardozi lehenga and layers and layers of can-can. Some brides want something more unconventional. Like a jacket constructed using vintage blouses, or a pair of pants with a train. If you too, come from the avante-garde school of style, and do not want to comply with the cookie-cutter bridal aesthetic, here are the brands that you can look at for your wedding festivities.  

Bodements

If you are the kind of bride who wants to wear something cool and avant-garde while honoring your roots, Bodements is the way to. From an impeccably tailored, structured, contemporary corset crafted in Kanjivaram silk, to a deconstructed outfit created from Gujarati cholis, Bodements amalgamates modernity with tradition. They also work with heirloom saris to breathe new life into the textile and create repurposed garments that feel modern but still respect tradition. So if you are a bride who has an heirloom sari that you would like to incorporate in your look with a fun twist, Bodements is a great brand to work with. 

Bobo Calcutta 

When one thinks of traditional Indian bridal wear, Bobo Calcutta isn’t the first brand that pops up. However, their colour-galore embroideries paired with quirky, whimsical abstract prints that feel like pieces of modern art make for beautiful lehengas and cocktail dresses. Brides-to-be, if maximalism and eccentricism is your kind of vibe, you will love an outfit from this brand. We would suggest a fun Bobo Calcutta lehenga for the mehendi!

Hannah Khiangte

Northeastern designers are quietly shaping the fashion landscape of India, and we are glad that they are finally getting the mainstream recognition that they so deserve. One such name is Hannah Khiangte’s. Rich textiles form the crux of this eponymous label. If a Victorian corset and an embellished skirt adorned with delicate lace and pearls, crafted by the women of Mizoram sounds like your idea of a beautiful, romantic bridal garment, Hannah Khiangte delivers that and more.

Fatherland

Fatherland serves elegance and romance, packaged in an unconventional box. Think: ivory, tulle, crochet, delicate pearl embroidery. Remember Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding dress with Anant's love letter printed all over it? Fatherland has a similar tulle sari with an illegible hand-written letter printed all over it.The ivory sari features the handwriting of Dominique Lapierre, the celebrated French author. This beautiful, unusual sari is perfect for a cocktail night! If you are looking to break free of the norms while channeling some romance into your bridal outfit, you might want to check out this brand. 

Meta Manthan

The traditional playbook has little space here. But if you’re all for drama, read on. Meta Manthan by Manthan Yadav, stands for some cool non-conformity. Sheer gloves meet alta-inspired embroidery, bejewelled stockings, and bridal veils with embroidery that mimic eyes, nose, and lips…this brand sure seems to love going unconventional! 

Vaishali S 

Vaishali S is a one-of-a-kind Indian couture brand that fuses Indian weaves with their signature elements like 3D cording and mushroom texture. They recently made their debut at the Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week, and every look felt beautifully unusual with veils made entirely out of handmade leaves, and dresses with delicate, 3D flowers. Whether you are a white dress kind of a bride or a red lehenga kind, they have something for everyone, in their signature otherworldly aesthetics! 

Label Niharika Vivek

Label Niharika Vivek is a love letter to the textile heritage of India, written in a language that feels modern. The eponymous label blends the richness of Indian textiles with the sexiness of corsets that fit you like a glove. The best part? It’s a zero-waste brand! A sustainable bride who also wishes to take the road less taken? Pick Label Niharika Vivek!