After leaving a lasting impression with her Bollywood stint, actor Mahira Khan has made her first exclusive collaboration with an Indian designer — turning muse for celebrated couturier Sawan Gandhi. The actor in the designer’s ethereal new Monochromatic Magic collection is sure to set the tone for occasion wear in 2024.
“I’ve been a fan of Mahira from the time I watched Humsafar and Raees, so this has been a dream in the making,” says Sawan and adds, “My design language always has a contemporary take on traditional silhouettes, a vision synonymous with Mahira’s persona. She defines luxury with the most graceful, understated sensibility, and this is something we immediately resonated with.”
Sawan’s popularity over the last few years has been monumental. While the most sought after Bollywood brigade has been spotted at events in his creations, this celebrity-centric campaign is a first — a “manifestation” as the designer describes it.
The exquisite ensembles will be accompanied by meticulously crafted jewellery by award-winning Dubai-based jewellery designer and gemologist Pavit Gujral. Dipped in vibrant hues, the multifaceted designer draws inspiration from a love for nature, the beauty in randomness, a kaleidoscope of colours, and a deep connection with the animal kingdom.
Pavit’s bespoke, bold and inspired jewellery designs emerge as timeless masterpieces, transcending the realms of conventional jewellery into something extraordinary, harmoniously complementing and adding a Midas touch to Sawan’s monochromatic story.
“Every collection has a new perspective, but I also carry my own trademark style, something that people identify the brand with. Mahira is the perfect muse, and to me, the most special part of shooting with her was the whole experience. Her inherent understanding of fashion, design and craftsmanship are evident in her effortless grace in the pictures. She is like a dream for any designer,” he says.
The campaign sees Mahira wearing four monochrome looks that include saris with intricate needlework, open sherwani jacket on a sari, and an ivory gold lehenga with an embroidered net veil. The fusion of traditional silhouettes with contemporary elements reflects Sawan’s design philosophy, offering a fresh perspective on classic fashion inspired from around the globe. Each outfit has been painstakingly hand embroidered and took over four months to complete. While the looks carry the trademark Sawan Gandhi embroidery and silhouettes, they also bring a fresh newness to them, mirroring Mahira’s grace and beauty.
“The coming together of a designer, a global actor, and a campaign shot in Dubai is a wholesome amalgamation of unparalleled representation of fashion, luxury and beauty,” shares Sawan. Speaking further on the collaboration, he shares, “I’ve always loved making clothes that make people feel beautiful. With a muse like Mahira, the process felt natural. Our vision drew an instant connect making the process a creative dream. We incorporated things that bring out both cultures beautifully through design.”
Price starts at Rs 1,75,000. Available online.
— manuvipin@newindianexpress.com
