Nishtha Gandhi Malik’s Guide To Underrated Indian Designers For Summer Brides

The content creator picks the best of the best!

May 28, 2025
Nishtha Gandhi picks some of her favourite underrated homegrown brands for bridesInstagram

Fashion has always played a huge role in Nishtha Gandhi Malik’s life. Back when she was seven years old, the content creator fought tooth and nail to get her hands on a copy of the same outfit Kareena Kapoor wore in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. The shimmery red crop top and flared pants ensemble from the iconic ‘You Are My Soniya’ song became the first of many on-trend outfits that became a coveted part of Nishtha’s wardrobe growing up. “I’ve just always been into fashion,” she states simply.



The love for fashion and being on top of trends led her to become one of the early adopters of the style influencer wave on social media. “I started creating content very early, back when it wasn’t a commercial industry,” she recalls, “I was always camera-friendly and would love doing random shoots with my friends. I remember one of my childhood friends brought a camera, and she would practice on me and do proper photoshoots with me. When Instagram started becoming popular in 2015-16, I started sharing these online. It wasn’t until 2019 that I quit my full-time job and became a proper content creator.”

The content creation space online has been dynamic and ever-evolving. The only way to stay relevant and grow is through authenticity and adaptability. Nishtha’s content displayed both and continued to be the reason why her popularity online has grown steadily over the years.



Adding value to her audience’s lives has been the basis of most of her creative decisions in her journey so far, and so, when she got engaged, she knew she wanted to take her audience along the journey. “After I got engaged, I became fully absorbed in the process of planning and choosing my outfits, getting to know about the designers and going to stores and understanding other logistics. I did a lot of research and I realised this is what I wanted to do.”

Nishtha got married in October of 2024 and has continued to serve as a bridal Yoda for anyone who finds themselves starting on the rollercoaster of a journey that’s wedding planning. Her inbox is now flooded with DMs from to-be-weds asking questions ranging from outfit-related emergencies to love life dilemmas. This, she says, has been the most rewarding aspect of her journey so far.



One of the things she continues to stand by (and steer brides towards) is that you don’t need to be blinded by a flashy designer label for your wedding outfit to be special. ”Just because a designer is expensive, it doesn’t mean they have the best craftsmanship,” she says. The content creator helpfully breaks down some of her favourite picks of underrated Indian brands for brides in 2025. Take a look…

Nishtha Gandhi Malik Picks Homegrown Bridalwear Brands For Summer 2025

Aikeyah

Aikeyah

“If you’re looking for something eclectic for a function like haldi, Aikeyah is the way to go,” says Nishtha. The brainchild of designer Isha Dhingra, Aikeyah is all about bohemian elements enhanced with rich embroideries and their signature floral motifs.

Juhi Bengani

Juhi Bengani

Another solid pick for haldi is the Kolkata-based label Juhi Bengani. “The outfits are all very colourful and vibrant with great silhouettes,” she says, “It’s perfect for a bride who wants to stand out.”


Itrh

Itrh

Nishtha picks Itrh for a sangeet or cocktail night outfit for a bride who is a maximalist at heart. A favourite of celebrities like Khushi Kapoor and Hania Aamir, the label is all about reimagining age-old heirlooms with a contemporary twist.

Paulmi and Harsh

Paulmi and Harsh

Paulmi and Harsh’s bright prints and exploration of zardozi work earn a stamp of approval from the content creator. “I love the label because they’re not only accessible, but also feature great craftsmanship and are really unique.”


Qbik

Qbik

For the bride who doesn’t like to conform to tradition, designer duo Vrinda Sachdev and Gurinder Singh’s Qbik is the way to go. “Their USP is the blouses,” says Nishtha, “They have crazy cutouts and so many elements on their blouses, like brooches, for a standout look.”

Debyani And Co.

Debyani And Co.

“Debyani and Co. is one designer that I’ve had my eyes on forever,” she says., “They’re very traditional and work with beautiful prints and patchwork. It’s perfect for a traditional mehndi outfit as they work  with a vibrant colour palette.”

Vvani by Vani Vats

Vvani by Vani Vats

“Vani Vats is one of those designers who are on their way to becoming one of the go-to designers for Indian brides,” says Nishtha, “Stunning saris with mirrorwork and amazing silhouettes involving separates, like suits.”


Injour

Injour

If you’re someone who places great value on a vintage aesthetic, then Injour is the way to go, says Nishtha. The label celebrates a bygone era of sophistication and grace through their trend-agnostic pieces and are a great choice for a bride who wants something timeless for her trousseau. 

Mishru

Mishru

Mishru’s floral appliqué work makes it a standout in Nishtha’s opinion. The content creator advises brides who are looking for something modern to go for the label.


Rianta

Rianta

“I’ve never seen anybody do the kind of colour palette as Rianta,” says Nishtha. The cool-toned, pastel-heavy ensembles by the Gurgaon-based label is perfect for someone who is looking for something fresh for their wardrobe. “Their blouses, with the exquisite pearl work, look very regal and feminine.”

Jaya Rathore

Jaya Rathore

“Jaya Rathore is supremely underrated,” says Nishta. The designer’s experience of working with and reviving age-old textile techniques results in pieces that can be treasured heirlooms for generations.

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