Anita Dongre Paints A Pastoral Fantasy For Her Latest Bridal Collection
The latest summer collection by the brand goes back to nature and 400-year-old Pichwai art for inspiration
Planning a summer wedding? Anita Dongre’s Vaana collection just dropped, and if you are a plant mom, this should speak to you.
Nature and sustainability have been strong themes in Anita Dongre’s apparels for a while, who can forget the lovely floral lehenga that she made for Prajakta, featuring her namesake flowers for her wedding recently? Says Anita Dongre, “VAANA is inspired by nature’s quiet strength and eternal beauty. It is depicted through flowing rivers, growing trees, refreshing flowers, and blooming greens in cascading dreamy silhouettes that feel like a breeze. The collection celebrates the eternal beauty of nature, which even in the face of change is ever-evolving, just like today’s modern woman. Synonymous with Spring, VAANA pays homage to the beauty of renewal.”
Vaana is a pastoral fantasy, featuring lehengas and sarees which blossom with the delicacy of spring, fluidity of rivers and the serenity of the forest. This collection brings to life Pichwai paintings married with her signature Gota Patti in muted colour combinations. Dongre has found a connection between nature’s process of renewal and the timeless ecosystem of craftsmanship and brought together some stunning looks that would be perfect for the summer bride, or guests at a summer wedding.
Prepared for the Summer
Says Dongre on the materials used for the collection, “Breathable fabrics like organza, chiffon, and lightweight silks are ideal for summer weddings. Soft pastels like powder blues, blush pinks, and refreshing greens are always timeless and elegant. Our new Spring Summer 2025 collection VAANA beautifully blends all of these elements with exquisite hand-painted Pichhwai amongst other crafts.”
The colour palette for the collection is fittingly cool, soothing to the eyes, a far cry from the glitzy colours that we are bound to see in the festive season. And yet, she has stayed away from the overdone cream tonalities that is often ‘on-trend’ for bridal wear.
The collection is diverse, from detailed lehengas and sarees, to structured jackets, corsets, layered skirts, tailored co-ord sets, kurta sets and statement blouses with a modern twist. All garments in the collection are hand-crafted, with a focus on ethical craftsmanship. The atelier has always been an advocate of fair trade. Anita Dongre has always championed ethical craftsmanship, with her initiative Grassroots by Anita Dongre, and advocacy for craftsmanship that uplifts the community of artisans with a focus on women empowerment.
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Anita Dongre is a strong advocate for paying attention to heritage craftsmanship when it comes to bridal wear, “Dress in what makes you feel comfortable and happy, don’t chase trends. It’s important that your outfit is a reflection of your values. I love how brides are now considering how they will re-wear and restyle their wedding outfits in the future. Our crafts are exquisite, and they should be worn with pride every chance you get.”