Every wedding season brings with it a wave of new trends, yet some traditions never fade, they simply evolve. Among these is chikankari, an embroidery technique that continues to capture hearts with its grace and history.
Recently, actor Janhvi Kapoor revived this age-old artistry when she appeared in a soft butter-yellow chikankari lehenga by Anjul Bhandari, reminding everyone why handcrafted couture will always remain a class apart.
The Return of Butter-Yellow: Subtle, Sophisticated, and Modern
In the world of fashion, color plays a defining role. This season, butter-yellow has emerged as a quiet favorite, a color seen on global runways from Chanel to Loewe and Miu Miu. It’s not loud or demanding; instead, it radiates warmth and lightness, offering a delicate alternative to more intense hues.
Janhvi’s lehenga perfectly captures this understated charm. The shade balances luxury with approachability, ideal for modern brides who prefer elegance over extravagance. Butter-yellow, much like ivory or champagne, feels timeless yet refreshing, bridging the gap between classic tradition and contemporary minimalism.
The Craft of Chikankari: A Legacy in Every Stitch
The true beauty of Janhvi’s ensemble lies in its chikankari embroidery, a centuries-old craft that originated in Lucknow. This intricate hand embroidery, often done on fine muslin or georgette, has been an essential part of Indian couture since the Mughal era. Legend credits its popularization to Empress Noor Jahan, known for her refined taste and love for delicate craftsmanship.
Chikankari involves more than 30 types of stitches, each adding a distinct texture and depth. Techniques such as bakhiya (shadow work), phanda (tiny knots), and murri (grain-like details) are skillfully combined to create dreamy floral and lattice-like motifs. What makes it truly special is the human touch, every piece is drawn, embroidered, and finished by hand, often taking weeks or even months to complete.
Anjul Bhandari: Preserving Heritage Through Couture
Designer Anjul Bhandari has long been celebrated for her commitment to reviving traditional crafts with a refined modern sensibility. Her chikankari creations blend heritage with haute couture, elevating age-old embroidery into luxurious wedding wear.
For Janhvi’s look, Bhandari chose to emphasize cream-on-butter threadwork, resulting in a tone-on-tone effect that feels both subtle and intricate. The embroidery blooms across the lehenga in floral and jaali patterns, celebrating texture instead of contrast. The design’s restraint is its strength, proof that true craftsmanship doesn’t need excessive embellishment to make a statement.
A Look that Marries Comfort with Grandeur
Janhvi Kapoor wore the outfit to her cousin Anshula Kapoor’s intimate engagement ceremony in Mumbai, an event that reflected both warmth and understated elegance. Her ensemble featured a diaphanous skirt, a wrap-style off-shoulder blouse, and a sheer dupatta, each piece harmonizing seamlessly to create a lightweight, graceful silhouette.
Despite the rich embroidery, the lehenga looked remarkably airy. This balance between comfort and grandeur makes it ideal for destination weddings or outdoor celebrations where movement and ease are key. Janhvi’s choice of styling, soft waves, dewy makeup, and natural tones, kept the focus on the artisanal detailing, rather than overwhelming it.
The Finishing Touches: Pearls and Pastel Glamour
Every couture look is defined by its accessories, and Janhvi’s selection was thoughtfully aligned with her outfit’s mood. She wore pearl and pastel gemstone jewellery from Birdhichand Ghanshyamdas, which mirrored the lehenga’s gentle tones. The pearls, subtle yet luminous, added a layer of old-world sophistication, perfect for an ensemble rooted in heritage.
Her makeup followed the same philosophy: fresh, glowing skin, a hint of pink on the eyes, and a soft nude lip. This minimal beauty look complemented the intricate embroidery, proving that when craftsmanship takes center stage, simplicity becomes the most powerful accessory.
Chikankari: From Tradition to Modern Heirloom
There’s something undeniably poetic about chikankari. Each thread carries a story of artisans, heritage, and timeless patience. In an age dominated by machine-made fashion, this hand-embroidered art form stands as a reminder of India’s cultural richness and attention to detail.
Designers like Anjul Bhandari ensure that chikankari continues to evolve without losing its essence. By pairing traditional techniques with modern cuts and soothing color palettes, they transform this craft into modern heirlooms, pieces that brides and fashion enthusiasts will cherish for generations.
Final Thoughts
The charm of Janhvi Kapoor’s Anjul Bhandari lehenga lies not in its color or silhouette alone, but in what it represents, a meeting of past and present, handcraft and high fashion. It’s a gentle reminder that true style doesn’t scream for attention; it whispers through detail, grace, and authenticity.
Butter-yellow may be the shade of the season, but chikankari remains the soul of timeless Indian couture, a heritage that continues to bloom, one delicate stitch at a time.
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