The Modern Woman’s Guide to Festive Dressing

As the festive season begins, five modern women reflect on their go-to wardrobe hacks and present their exclusive guide to festive Dressing.

Raseel Gujral Ansal

Owner and Creative Director, Casa Paradox and Casa Pop

A textile evangelist, Raseel has a penchant for silver and gold tissue. Banarasi saris, heirloom shawls, and statement jewellery feature in her multi-layered wardrobe. For the festive season, Raseel gravitates towards timeless pieces that can be “endlessly reinvented with jewellery and accessories”. “Hand-embroidered ensembles, chogas and long kimono coats layered over Indian ensembles, and short capes over lehengas or embroidered kurtas lend themselves beautifully to both weddings and festivals. I also love Jamavars and brocades that transition seamlessly from festive evenings to grand wedding functions,” she adds. Raseel shares that her mother has had a big influence on her. “She’s my style icon for her instinctive elegance, love of textiles, and perpetual perfection.” Besides her mother, the late Maharani Gayatri Devi is another icon Raseel prefers for her regal restraint and effortless grace. “I admire women with presence and individuality, who make what they wear entirely their own—because true style is never just the clothes, but the aura.” 

Nitya Bajaj Birla

Fashion Designer 

As a designer, Nitya’s pieces are rooted in Indian heritage techniques yet have a modern appeal. It is no surprise then that her preferred festive look is a traditional sari. Nitya reminisces about how her grandmother would effortlessly drape her sari within minutes—someone who has shaped her style. “I feel a sari is six yards of magic, and I keep going back to it,” she tells us. Nitya has inherited some lovely saris from her great-grandparents, grandparents, mother and mother-in-law, and has built quite a collection over for years. “Some of these saris are one-of-a-kind, exquisite pieces crafted with pure gold and silver yarns. I also own some weaves that are now extinct. Then some masterpieces from across the border hold a lot of emotional value for my family as they brought them with them during the partition,” she shares. 

Sanya V Jain

Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Smoke Lab, Creative Director of Smokelab Wear

Sanya is an unapologetic maximalist who loves bold, statement pieces. Currently, she’s inspired by the dynamism of Schiaparelli. “I enjoy experimenting with trends and using fashion to express my creativity. How I dress depends on my mood for the day,” she tells Manifest. Sanya’s festive style is also a reflection of her East-meets-West aesthetic. She always finds herself reaching for her Tom Ford ostrich feather bolero she picked up at Bergdorf Goodman a few years ago. “I’m obsessed with it because it instantly elevates any outfit—I can throw it over a lehenga or pair it with a simple jeans-and-T-shirt look. It just adds that touch of drama and glamour,” she asserts. A sartorial mixologist, she enjoys playing with unexpected pairings. Like a Chanel tweed jacket with an Indian lehenga skirt. “It feels modern and fun. I’m not someone who leans towards very traditional looks; I prefer festive wear that’s contemporary, expressive, and a little experimental.”

Bhavna Kakar

Founder and Director, Latitude 28

Growing up in different cantonments of India, Bhavna was surrounded by a vast wealth of textiles and traditions, which shaped her core personal style. Her mother—who favoured rich weaves like Patola, Monga, Ikat, and Phulkari—left a lasting impression on Bhavna. For her, style is about storytelling, much like curating an exhibition. Each piece Bhavna wears carries a memory and has meaning. While she values authenticity, Bhavna also enjoys a touch of glamour and playfulness. “My style is an extension of how I live: rooted in tradition, curious about the new, and always evolving,” she shares. She loves blending the worlds of classical and contemporary fashion…a handwoven sari paired with statement jewellery, or a modern silhouette offset by something artisanal. Two festive pieces she reaches out for quite often include a Raw Mango brocade ensemble and an Anamika Khanna cape set. “Both are timeless and celebratory without ever feeling overwhelming,” she adds. 

Tahira Tara Chawla 

Sales Associate, Saatchi Yates, London

Tahira’s personal style reflects the vibrant artistic spheres she inhabits, but it is also influenced by her mother, Kalyani Chawla. “For everyday wear, I prioritise comfort, but for the festive season I raid my mother’s closet,” says Tahira. “My mum has some beautiful pieces from some of the storied Indian couturiers, which lend themselves beautifully to most festive settings,” she adds. Apart from top Indian couturiers, Kalyani’s enviable closet comprises rare collectables from Dior during the John Galliano era. Hence, it was natural for Tahira to be drawn towards her mother’s eclectic wardrobe and her eye for detail.  “As cliché as it sounds, my parents taught me everything I know about fashion, and without my mum’s closet, I would not have one of my own. Honestly, I hate shopping, and the fact that I can just steal from her closet is ideal,” says Tahira. For festive outings, Tahira always goes back to her favourite designer: Anamika Khanna. “Anamika’s embroidery and attention to detail are second to none, and her creations are so comfortable that I can dance all night in them.”

This story appears in Manifest India’s Issue 05. Subscribe here for more stories like this.