From hand-written love letters to quirky transcripts and abstract news patterns, the custom prints on couture ensembles are no longer restricted to monograms and logos but getting more personalised and meaningful
Sonam Kapoor in House of Masaba sari. (Image by Arrangement)
If you have been following the grand Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani’s pre-wedding festivities, then it is hard to miss the exquisite parade of couture and luxury ensembles that the bride-to-be has been sporting for various celebratory functions.
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In the latest social media post shared by her stylist Rhea Kapoor, Merchant was seen sporting a custom Robert Wun gown in a classic black and white combination printed with a love letter written by Anant Ambani. Reportedly, in an interview with a fashion glossy, she mentioned that her-husband-to-be had written her a long love letter for her 22nd birthday. Speaking about the dress she said, “I wanted it for posterity—I want to be able to show it to my kids and grandkids, and say that ‘this is what our love was’.”
In the latest social media post shared by her stylist Rhea Kapoor, Merchant was seen sporting a custom Robert Wun gown in a classic black and white combination printed with a love letter written by Anant Ambani. Reportedly, in an interview with a fashion glossy, she mentioned that her-husband-to-be had written her a long love letter for her 22nd birthday. Speaking about the dress she said, “I wanted it for posterity—I want to be able to show it to my kids and grandkids, and say that ‘this is what our love was’.”
Radhika’s love letter dress was inspired by one of the runway creations of designer Robert Wun, who shared a note about the original garment on his social media page. The caption read, “Recreating the grooms letter to the bride on lengths of French chiffon incrusted with crystals. The most personal look I have ever created. A layered tulle gown with over 750 written words, hand embroidered with over 4,50,000 bugle and faceted beads, an average of 145 stitches per letter. Ignite by memories, a process of grief and a result about love.” (SIC)
Sartorial sonnet
Just like Radhika’s customised look packed with personal etchings, Taylor Swift too wore a custom Vivienne Westwood ballgown inscribed with lyrics from her latest song all over the dress. According to Mumbai-based designer Ameeta Jain, “The trend of writing personalised messages, songs, letters and poems on a garment isn’t new but takes a lot of creativity to implement it with finesse. Such custom couture pieces are rare and expensive and are usually commissioned much in advance for a special occasion. Whether it’s the love letter dress for Merchant or the lyrical gown for Swift, the design team usually does an elaborate mood board to get the look right on the wearer. And, the importance is always on placing the right words in the right place to highlight the meaning of the outfit. If you notice, styling these outfits doesn’t require much effort as minimal accessories and makeup work the best to keep the focus on the outfit.”
Let the outfit talk
Last year, designer brand Lever Couture created a dress using letters of love for Ukraine. Referring to a symbolic gesture where fashion was used to convey solidarity or support through creative means, the design team turned sentiments into wearable art and got rave reviews for their work. In 2019, actress Sonam Kapoor was seen posing in a butter yellow sari with a printed line by House of Masaba to promote her film. In the 90s show Sex and The City, actress Sarah Jessica Parker made the iconic ‘newspaper print dress’ designed by Dior’s John Galliano famous overnight, and recently model Emily Ratajkowski recreated the look for a fashion event to get the conversation started on word-ly prints.
Sartorial sonnet
Just like Radhika’s customised look packed with personal etchings, Taylor Swift too wore a custom Vivienne Westwood ballgown inscribed with lyrics from her latest song all over the dress. According to Mumbai-based designer Ameeta Jain, “The trend of writing personalised messages, songs, letters and poems on a garment isn’t new but takes a lot of creativity to implement it with finesse. Such custom couture pieces are rare and expensive and are usually commissioned much in advance for a special occasion. Whether it’s the love letter dress for Merchant or the lyrical gown for Swift, the design team usually does an elaborate mood board to get the look right on the wearer. And, the importance is always on placing the right words in the right place to highlight the meaning of the outfit. If you notice, styling these outfits doesn’t require much effort as minimal accessories and makeup work the best to keep the focus on the outfit.”
Let the outfit talk
Last year, designer brand Lever Couture created a dress using letters of love for Ukraine. Referring to a symbolic gesture where fashion was used to convey solidarity or support through creative means, the design team turned sentiments into wearable art and got rave reviews for their work. In 2019, actress Sonam Kapoor was seen posing in a butter yellow sari with a printed line by House of Masaba to promote her film. In the 90s show Sex and The City, actress Sarah Jessica Parker made the iconic ‘newspaper print dress’ designed by Dior’s John Galliano famous overnight, and recently model Emily Ratajkowski recreated the look for a fashion event to get the conversation started on word-ly prints.
Globally the trend of inscription outfits keeps resurfacing occasionally, but back home one often sees such elaborate outfits for weddings. A lot of modern brides are seen now sporting outfits with poetry or lines close to their heart embroidered in dupattas and lehenga borders. Celebrity stylist Nidhi Seth informs, “The trend of custom-made bridal outfits with messages and poems is very popular these days. From Priyanka Chopra to Patralekha and Deepika Padukone, many actresses have been wearing bridal outfits with messages that hold a special significance in their love stories. It is a charming gesture to include such fine details for the big day as the outfit will always remain a special garment throughout life.”
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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