Why were so many of the A-Listers and fashion set in town you might ask? While the Dior show may have ended last week, the glitterati stayed on for the opening of the illustrious Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC).
The venue in Mumbai had its official launch on 31st March 2023, marking the start of a three-day long inauguration attended by some of the world’s biggest names, and the main event (as far as fashion was concerned was with the opening of the exhibit “India in Fashion: The Impact of Indian Dress and Textiles on the Fashionable Imagination,” curated by the iconic Hamish Bowles. The exhibition showcases over 140 pieces of costume documenting India's impact on the global fashionable imagination.
In celebration of Indian culture and design, many celebrities in attendance opted to wear traditional Indian dress, eschewing their typical red carpet attire for dazzling sarees.
Spearheaded by Isha Ambani, the daughter of billionaire businessman Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani, this first-of-its-kind space in the sphere of the arts is dedicated to her mother Nita M Ambani. “The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre is so much more than a space – it is the culmination of my mother’s passion for arts, culture and her love for India,” Isha explained of the venture, “She has always dreamt of creating a platform that would be welcoming to audiences, artists, performers and creatives at large. Her vision for NMACC is to showcase the best of what India has to offer to the world and bring the world to India.” Businesswoman and philanthropist Nita is long-time patron of the arts, and the NMACC promises to be a cultural landmark which will stand the test of time.
Our 10 favourite looks from the India in Fashion exhibition opening:
Gigi Hadid’s “Chikankari sari” by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla was made in the Lucknow region of India, and took a year to make.
The brand is a pioneer of high-fashion in India and have been creating couture for 36 years. “Gigi Hadid is absolutely Divine in a spectacular Kamasutra-inspired, South Indian temple jewellery cropped sleeve jacket blouse edged with bold tassels paired with a slim chikankari skirt and chikan sari drape,” the brand explained in a statement on their Instagram, “The chikan is exquisitely hand-embroidered by female artisans at Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla atelier in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Crystals and sequin highlights and bold, gold zardozi borders add to its ethereal elegance to create a masterpiece fit for a Goddess.”
The Euphoria star wore a custom look from designer Rahul Mishra’s atelier to the NMACC launch. “Zendaya is wearing the hand embroidered 'Verdure' saree gown with the 'Flying Cranes' bralette,” the designer explained, meanwhile her stylist Law Roach wore, “the hand embroidered 'Shirley Poppy' sherwani jacket with a coordinating lehenga skirt in black.”
Priyanka worked with A-list approved stylist Ami Patel on her look for the event, “I knew I wanted to wear an upcycled vintage look with a modern twist! So my outfit was an amalgamation of the east and the west! Like me!” the actress explained on Instagram of her Amit Aggarwal saree. The ensemble was crafted “by pairing a sixty-year-old vintage Banarasi brocade saree made using silver threads and a gold electroplating on khadi silk, this was draped over and structured with a jewel-toned, moulded body made with our signature unique material and paired with a sequin sheet holographic bustier to reflect the nine colours of ikat weave that the brocade is set in,” the designer explained. It took six months to make, with the original vintage textile handwoven in the craft clusters of Varanasi.
Sabine Getty wore a saree inspired haute couture gown by Elie Saab and a pair of earrings created by Jaipu-based ancestral jewellery house Santi Jewels.
“The credit goes to the hundreds of brilliant brown hands that have practiced, mastered & preserved the art of embroidery,” Liza Koshy explained of her outfit. The mega-influencer and comedian opted for Papa Dont Preach, designed by Shubhika Sharma.
Surprisingly Penélope ventured away from her usual Chanel picks, (the actress is a longtime ambassador of the maison) and instead opted for a pink-feathered gown from Tamara Ralph. Ralph was formerly creative director (and founder) of the now defunct Ralph & Russo couture house.
Rashmika Mandanna wore a Falguni Shane Peacock India, styled by the aforementioned Ami Patel who also worked on Priyanka Chopras look. This custom gown featured precious indian jewels made of polki diamonds and real gold specially crafted by jewellery designer Falguni Mehta. “Motifs like the lotus, mango, parrots, jhumkis, flowers, moon and strings of polki necklaces are sown onto Rashmika’s couture gown,” explained Ami, “Here is an ode to Indian couture at its modern best.”
Styled by duo Mohit Rai and Shubhi Kumar, Shanaya Kapoor opted for a daring Maison Valentino gold embellished maxi skirt and billowing white shirt, paired with a plethora of turquoise necklaces from Amrapali Jewels. Rai described the look as "our favourite game of mix and match.
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