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There was a time when dressing for a destination wedding meant packing the big outfits first and figuring out everything else later. Not anymore. The welcome lunch needs a look. So does the pool party. Then there is the sundowner, the yacht afternoon, the after-party and, once the wedding is over, an entire honeymoon wardrobe waiting for its moment.
Few Indian designers understand this shift quite like Shivan & Narresh. Long before resortwear became a regular part of the wedding conversation, the designer duo had built a world around swimwear, holiday dressing, bold prints and clothes designed for life under the sun.
Their latest collaboration with Tanqueray Tonic Water Non-Alcoholic takes that world beyond clothes. For The Showstopper Hour, the designers draw from their Botanical Atelier to create a fashion-and-flavour experience where untamed florals, dimensional textures and organic forms inform a statement look, while a bespoke serve translates its mood into flavour.
For Shivan & Narresh, it is part of a larger idea: fashion does not have to begin and end with what you wear. It can extend to what you taste, where you are and how you choose to celebrate.
Manifest caught up with the duo to talk about the collaboration, the changing destination wedding wardrobe and why couples should coordinate without ever looking identical.
Manifest: The Showstopper Hour brings together fashion, flavour and self-expression. What made this collaboration with Tanqueray Tonic Water Non-Alcoholic a natural extension of the Shivan & Narresh universe?
Shivan and Narresh (S&N): For us, The Showstopper Hour is very much about the art of enjoying the moment, with fashion, flavour and a certain lightness of spirit coming together. The collaboration felt like a natural extension of our universe because Tanqueray Tonic Water Non-Alcoholic brings together botanicals, craft and a sense of occasion, while allowing for the freedom to choose how you celebrate.
M: The collaboration draws from the Botanical Atelier. How did you translate its florals and nature-inspired drama into one showstopping look?
N: Shivan has always had a natural inclination towards lush botanics and florals, so this came very instinctively to us. We were drawn to the untamed quality of the Botanical Atelier and translated that into a look that feels abundant yet effortless, using dimensional textures, organic forms and a sense of movement to make the piece feel almost alive.
M: A bespoke serve reflects the spirit, colours and character of the design. How do you translate a visual idea into flavour?
S: For us, translating a visual language into flavour is about capturing its mood rather than mirroring it literally. The botanical character of Tanqueray Tonic Water Non-Alcoholic gave us a natural starting point, and we wanted the serve to feel fresh, layered and a little unexpected, much like our prints and silhouettes, with a sense of vibrancy that unfolds with every sip.
M: Fashion is becoming more immersive than something simply viewed on a runway. Do collaborations like this let you tell a more layered design story?
S&N: Absolutely. We have always believed that fashion is a sensorial experience, so collaborations like this allow us to take a design language beyond the garment and into the world around it. With Tanqueray Tonic Water Non-Alcoholic, we could extend that language through taste, texture, colour and atmosphere, making the story feel more alive.
M: Destination weddings now include pool parties, yacht outings, welcome lunches and sundowners. How has this changed celebration wear?
S&N: We see couples dressing for the entire journey now, rather than just the ceremony. Celebration wear has become more fluid and personal, with dressing becoming a statement of self-expression, pieces that reflect the true personality of the muse while moving effortlessly from a poolside afternoon to a sundowner.
M: Are couples looking for coordinated resortwear, or individual looks that simply complement each other?
S&N: We find that couples are moving away from anything that feels too coordinated or prescriptive. There is a greater desire for individual expression, with looks that speak to each personality while sharing a subtle visual connection through colour, print or mood, creating a sense of togetherness without looking identical.
M: How can couples coordinate their destination wedding wardrobes without looking too matched?
S&N: We believe coordination should feel instinctive rather than intentional. Couples can find a common thread through colour, print, texture or silhouette, while allowing each person to interpret it in their own way so the wardrobes feel connected, but still true to their individual personalities.
M: What belongs in a glamorous but easy-to-pack resort or beach honeymoon wardrobe?
S&N: For us, the ideal honeymoon wardrobe is built around pieces that feel glamorous without asking too much of you. Statement paneyos, fluid separates and oversized shirts that can be styled over swim make for effortless transitions from beach to bar, while versatile dresses and elevated evening looks take you through long lunches and sundowners.
M: Finally, what is your one styling rule for couples who want to make a statement on holiday without losing their personal style?
S&N: Our one rule would be: never dress for the destination before dressing for yourself. The strongest holiday looks come from pieces that amplify your personality, be it through colour, print, silhouette or a little drama, so you make a statement while still feeling completely, unapologetically you.