Designer Spotlight: Shiro Mani’s Wearable Art

This homegrown label curates thoughtful and fashionable handwritten, hand-painted, hand-embroidered pieces that are nothing less than wearable art.

Jan 4, 2025
  • Most wedding planning favours the needs of the bride and the groom… However, what we have to gift bridesmaids is overlooked. They are one of the most vital parts of any wedding, ensuring the bride has an almost cakewalk-like wedding.

    No wonder they deserve something extra—perhaps something thoughtful and well-curated. This is where Shiro Mani enters the picture because, trust us, there is no better way to thank her than gifting her something that she will hold and cherish forever.

    Everything To Know About Shiro Mani

    Shiromani (śirōmaṇi) means ‘the most eminent ’ and was named after the founder Aarushi Garg’s grandmother (Nani).  Shiromani Jain was an artist and it is from her that the founder developed an interest in art and culture. Shiro Mani India is a homegrown brand on a mission to revive Indian Arts, folk and tradition through modern-day fashion. Aarushi says, “My grandmother was an artist and I grew up listening to stories of Panchatantra tales, and Indian arts, the difference between Pahari style of Miniature and Mughal Miniature Painting. She taught me everything she had learnt over the years.”

    A quick scroll through the website and you’ll find varying silhouettes in bright hues such as co-ord sets, blazers, skirts, and tops. Aarushi adds, “Shiromani is an attempt to form a responsible, conscious and environment-friendly brand. It sheds light on slow fashion with each piece crafted to match individual fashion needs.”

    You’ll find artworks titled Vanraj (where "van" means jungle and "raj" means king), depicting a lion (Sher), the king of the jungle. The Sher has been illustrated in bold pink and black stripes, surrounded by detailed foliage, symbolic of its natural habitat on a blazer. You’ll also find a skirt called Vantara which translates to 'Star of the Forest' has been hand-painted with detailed and vibrant strokes and paints the rich green vegetation full of exotic plants and animals existing in harmony with humans. Our particular favourite is the Meenpankh Dress which translates to fish and wing. Symbolising freedom and fluidity— the bright red, blue, and gold patterns evoke a sense of movement capturing the essence of air and water in traditional Gond art.

    Are you keen on wearable art for your wedding?

    Arushi says, “Our Prints are hand painted either by me or the artists, making each piece one of a kind. The clothes are biodegradable…  Even the beads and the buttons are made of wood or coconut making them eco-friendly. We are extremely conscious about our carbon footprint and try to be as sustainable as possible.

    Their designs serve as a perfect gift for bridesmaids—she could pair one of the hand-painted skirts with an embellished blouse. Not just that, they also customise and design tasteful modern Indianwear which is perfect for the trousseau collection. “We love to make coordinated outfits for Bridesmaids and also create artisanal gifts like hand-painted scarves, pouches, or small home decor items, that serve as great wedding favours.”

    Aarushi lastly suggests hiring them to make a fun pop-up corner and create experiential workshops on miniature painting for haldi or mehendi.

    What makes Shiromani a cool part of your trousseau?

    Shiro Mani has a variety of silhouettes, and they focus heavily on details. Arushi says, “A trousseau, by its essence, is more than just clothing—it's a collection of stories, memories, and heritage accompanying a bride into her new chapter. Our designs, and artworks are traditional and our silhouettes are stylish and contemporary, perfect for a modern bride. Each piece is an homage to India's rich cultural legacy, making it the perfect heirloom-worthy addition to a trousseau”.  And for those who want to gift something to their parting guests, we suggest this brand because they do beautiful prints on stationery. All of it is hand-painted and can be customised according to the themes. “We also only use eco-friendly and biodegradable raw materials for all our products.”

    Arushi recommends that you get “Cushion covers, table runners, pouches or clutches, scarves/ stoles, tote bags, laptop covers and potlis, fabric covers for journals, and keychains” from the brand as wedding favours.

    Manifest Cheat Sheet


    Manifest: What type of bride should come to you?

    Arushi Garg: An environment-conscious bride like Dia Mirza…someone who cares about the Earth and also wants to add Indian heritage, prints and colour to their trousseau.


    M: What is your consumer base like?

    AG: These are mainly Indian, American and European women who like Indio-Western clothes aged between 24- 55.


    M: What is your price range?

    AG: Our price range begins from 3000 INR


    M: How many months in advance should a bride come to you?

    AG: Anyone who is getting married should come to us a month in advance


    M: Are there any specific silhouettes or necklines you specialise in?

    AG: Yes, we specialise in Indo-Western silhouettes. Our audience loves our blazers!


    M: What is your size range like?

    AG: We do all sizes, XXS to 3XS, and also offer customised designs


    M: Do you accommodate size-inclusive designs?

    AG: Yes, we also customise designs as per sizes.

    - Avarna Jain,
    Chairperson RPSG Lifestyle Media

    For Manifest to become one of Cambridge Dictionary's most viewed words of 2024 — 1,30,000 hits and counting — it means some of us must have Googled it at least once. I know, I hit that search button over and over again
    because each time I looked at it, I saw a new meaning.

    - Avarna Jain,
    Chairperson RPSG Lifestyle Media

    Putting together a homegrown title at a time when the demise of print has been long announced may seem surprising...
    ...but it has long been a dream of mine to give India a magazine it deserves. A magazine that is the country.

    - Avarna Jain,
    Chairperson RPSG Lifestyle Media

    And nothing, absolutely nothing, represents India more than our weddings.It is a time when families are brought together. Traditions come alive as they are adapted to each couple's beliefs. And lives are joined in a way that the romantic in me still enjoys.

    - Avarna Jain,
    Chairperson RPSG Lifestyle Media

    The fact that it comes with band, baaja and baraat — what's not to love?And that is the reason our first issue celebrates:
    THE NEW BRIDE.

    - Avarna Jain,
    Chairperson RPSG Lifestyle Media

    If you look at
    'Curate Beautiful, Create Happy'individually, they are powerful but when you put them together, they become a promise. While each section is dedicated to a word, I hope you will see this as your first of many handbooks for happiness.

    - Avarna Jain,
    Chairperson RPSG Lifestyle Media

    Curate
    Where we give you a fast-paced look into everything you should wish list when you start to think about marriage. What to buy and how to dress, along with modern mithai and the homegrown fragrance makers to bookmark. Make special note of the feature on alta.

    - Avarna Jain,
    Chairperson RPSG Lifestyle Media

    Beautiful
    It has everything you need to make your wedding special. From the big comeback of red and pink in bridal wear to how the cool kids are wearing corsets to the celebration, there is only one way to get ready for a wedding —with enjoyment.

    - Avarna Jain,
    Chairperson RPSG Lifestyle Media

    Create
    This section is a building block, a step to a better life. A place where we have all the answers. Or at least the beginning of a great conversation.

    - Avarna Jain,
    Chairperson RPSG Lifestyle Media

    Happy
    This needs very little description. It has travel with a special focus on incredible India, and a collection of wedding albums, sourced randomly, but collected with abundance because happiness has no limits.

    - Avarna Jain,
    Chairperson RPSG Lifestyle Media

    This first issue has a lot more, including a carefully edited address book of everything you need to make your wedding perfectly 'gramworthy! But it doesn't stop there. Each issue will be different because each one of you is unique.
    Because we manifested this difference, now we will celebrate you.

    - Avarna Jain,
    Chairperson RPSG Lifestyle Media