- Avarna Jain,
Chairperson RPSG Lifestyle Media
Ursula von der Leyen Set the Style Template for Every Woman Leader Visiting India
The European Commission President’s India visit turned into a showcase of Indian craft at the highest level of global politics.
A style statement unlike any other
When world leaders travel, wardrobes are rarely accidental and during her India visit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proved that political presence and cultural sensitivity can coexist in sublime style. Across key appearances — from the Republic Day parade to the State Banquet — her looks spotlighted India’s textile legacy through the lens of some of the country’s most respected designers.
What emerged wasn’t just a series of outfits, but a subtle exercise in soft power through fashion.
The Republic Day Statement in Rajesh Pratap Singh
For her appearance alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Republic Day parade, von der Leyen chose a maroon and gold brocade sherwani by Rajesh Pratap Singh, paired with crisp white trousers.
The brocade, crafted by weavers from Varanasi, nodded to one of India’s most storied textile traditions. Structured yet graceful, the silhouette balanced authority with cultural immersion — a diplomatic gesture woven quite literally into the fabric.
The Golden Bandhgala Moment in Rajesh Pratap Singh Again
Continuing her sartorial dialogue with Indian design, she stepped out in a structured gold bandhgala, also by Rajesh Pratap Singh.
Understated yet regal, the look carried the quiet opulence associated with ceremonial Indian menswear tailoring, reinterpreted here for a global woman leader. It was less spectacle, more statement — a lesson in how power dressing can feel rooted rather than remote.
The Striking Summit Anamika Khanna Look
For the India–EU summit, von der Leyen turned to Anamika Khanna, choosing a refined blue bandhgala accented with delicate lace embroidery along the chest, sleeves, and hem.
Styled once again with white trousers and heels, the look softened the traditional structure with couture intricacy. Khanna’s signature ability to merge heritage silhouettes with contemporary femininity made this ensemble feel both diplomatic and distinctly modern.
The State Banquet Abraham & Thakore Turmeric Ensemble
At the State Banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan, von der Leyen embraced textile storytelling at its most nuanced in an ensemble by Abraham & Thakore.
She wore a turmeric-coloured coat in Mashru, a historic silk–cotton weave from Gujarat, brought to life with Bandhini tie-and-dye, an ancient craft associated with Gujarat and Rajasthan. The coat was further detailed with contrast engineered Kantha hand stitching, adding a layer of artisanal depth.
An accompanying silk scarf, edged with contrast pink piping, completed the look. It was an ensemble that felt ceremonial, craft-forward, and deeply rooted in regional heritage, all while maintaining the restraint expected at a state occasion.
To sum it up, von der Leyen’s Indian wardrobe did more than impress — it respected craft, context, and country. In choosing designers like Rajesh Pratap Singh, Anamika Khanna, and Abraham & Thakore, she positioned Indian textiles and tailoring not as costume, but as couture worthy of the world stage.
A reminder that sometimes, diplomacy is spoken not in statements but in stitches.
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