Arpita Mehta’s New Collection Is Perfect for Summer Brides

If there’s one designer who knows how to make occasion wear feel festive without going over the top, it’s Arpita Mehta. Her outfits have always had that sweet spot between glamour and ease, and her latest collection, Everlight, follows the same philosophy.

The collection arrives at a time when bridal wear and festive dressing are witnessing a shift towards elegance and comfort. Designed with destination weddings, intimate celebrations and summer festivities in mind, Everlight’s pieces feel light, romantic and perfect for the way people celebrate today. It embraces fluid silhouettes, dreamy pastel hues and lightweight embellishments that feel easy. Think outfits that can effortlessly move from a sunlit wedding brunch to an evening celebration. 

While Arpita’s signature mirror work is still very much a part of the collection, this season it feels softer and more romantic. Delicate embroidery, dreamy colours and thoughtful detailing give the pieces a fresh, modern feel. From ruffle saris and contemporary lehengas to versatile separates that can be styled in multiple ways, Everlight is for the modern bride and wedding guest who wants to look special without feeling overdressed.

Manifest caught up with Arpita Mehta to discuss the inspiration behind Everlight, her take on modern couture, and the trends set to define summer bridal fashion.

In Conversation With Arpita Mehta

Manifest: The collection feels especially suited to intimate celebrations and destination weddings. Do you think bridal and occasion dressing today is moving towards lighter, more versatile luxury?

Arpita Mehta: I do feel that summer bridal wear today is becoming more fluid, softer, and breathable. Many summer weddings are held in destinations that are often hot and humid, so comfort naturally becomes very important. Keeping this in mind, the collection features a soft, whimsical colour palette, while the embroidery is more delicate and lightweight, complementing the mood and ease of the occasion.

M:  Mirror detailing has long been associated with your design language. How did you reinterpret embellishment this season to make it feel softer and more refined?

AM: I feel the colour palette itself plays a huge role in bringing softness to the collection. We’ve worked with romantic and whimsical shades like mauve, sage green, and sea foam, while also introducing electric tones like turquoise and lime green for freshness. We paired these colours with intricate embroideries featuring pani gold, rose gold, and delicate kardana work, which gives the collection a refined yet celebratory summer feel.

M:  Everlight feels deeply feminine, but also incredibly modern. Who was the woman you had in mind while designing this collection?

AM: I feel like I’m always designing for the AM woman, someone who reflects the women around me, whether it’s my sister, my mother, or my friends. I’m constantly inspired by the incredible women in my life, and subconsciously they influence the kind of clothing we create. The AM woman is feminine, soft, and fluid, but also modern, rooted in tradition, and someone with a strong sense of individuality.

M: In an era where maximalism often dominates Indian occasion wear, what makes restraint and softness feel powerful to you?

AM: To be honest, I do find maximalism a little cluttered at times, and I feel there has been an overkill of it. Soft, fluid clothing has always been our strength and something I truly believe in. For me, couture is not necessarily about excess, it’s about craftsmanship, presentation, and how a garment makes you feel. Softness and femininity can be just as powerful and luxurious.

M: This collection revisits some of your most iconic signatures. How did you approach reinventing familiar Arpita Mehta silhouettes while still keeping them recognisably yours?

AM: I feel that in all our classic silhouettes, there’s always an element that instantly reminds you of our signature style, whether it’s the embroidery, the cut, or the fit. This season, however, we’ve refreshed these signatures through a new colour palette that transitions beautifully from day to night, ranging from soft pastels to brighter hues. It feels like a blend of nostalgia and modernity, bringing together emotions from the past and present.

M: The three-tier ruffle saris feel especially fluid and ethereal this season. What drew you back to this silhouette, and how did you evolve it for Everlight?

AM: The ruffle sari has been one of our most loved silhouettes for years, and I genuinely feel it’s one of the most flattering Indian outfits because it works beautifully across body types, sizes, and age groups. That’s why we always find ourselves revisiting it every season. Even though we’ve created thousands of these saris over the years, there’s something timeless and beautiful about the silhouette that keeps inspiring us to reinterpret it in newer ways.

M: Suggest a few hot trends for summer brides in terms of silhouettes and hues

AM: I feel pastel ruffle saris will continue to be a big trend this summer, especially in shades like ice blue, mint green, and sea foam. We’re also seeing a lot of interest in Banarasi lehengas in lavender and mint tones. Apart from that, delicate embroidered kurtas paired with bandhani dupattas feel incredibly fresh and modern. These silhouettes are easy, breezy, and lightweight, while still feeling festive and occasion-worthy.