We can’t overlook Janhvi Kapoor’s lit-from-within radiance, but the star shone even brighter recently with a little help from pearls. During the press tour of her upcoming action drama film, Devara: Part 1 in Chennai in September 2024, she donned a sage gold outfit by Gaurav Gupta that’s affixed with a wealth of pearls. An incredible combination of haute couture, artisanal craftsmanship and fine gemstones, her half-sari comprised a mermaid-style lehenga skirt attached with a frothy pallu and a sensual bralette.
This isn’t the first time the couturier has dabbled in the ocean, marine life and its myriad mysteries. Nuanced details from the cosmic ocean took centre stage in his ‘Venus Rising’ outing. His ‘Prism Blur’ spring/summer ’24 collection, too, created a sea-inspired visual journey through its colours and crafts.
With Kapoor’s recent sari, Gupta plunders the sea’s most coveted natural treasure, pearl. He brings the gemstone in varied shapes, shades of ivory and sizes to the fore as surface ornamentation that nods towards waves. “Janhvi is wearing our custom sage gold pearl embroidered sari, featuring a mermaid-style lehenga and a halter neckline blouse.
The top and skirt are crafted from silk crepe, chosen for its fluid texture that allows for a perfect drape in tulle. The embroidery features over 2,500 pearls, glass beads, and about 1,000 fine crystals—each one carefully placed to add that ethereal shimmer . The three-dimensional pearl embroidery creates multiple textures and the artwork is designed with an anatomical degree of detail.
It’s actually a traditional take from one of our ‘Hiranyagarbha’ looks from Paris Couture Week autumn/winter ’23 collection,” reveals Gupta. “This sari was a true labour of love, which took 10 karigars over 600 hours to bring it to life. Every pearl, bead, and crystal was hand-sewn, and it’s that attention to detail that makes this piece so special,” he elaborates.
If that was not enough sparkle to catch one’s attention, the actor wore pearl-encrusted jewels from Jet Gems to complement—statement earrings and a ring were the ultimate finishing touches. This isn’t Kapoor’s first take on doing jewellery the unconventional way (read: imbibed on her outfit directly). She wore a dazzling blouse embellished with real gold temple pieces for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's wedding in July.
For the opening night of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, she wore an ivory lehenga that was complemented with a conversation-starting blouse with meticulously suspended pearls that created a waterfall effect. But I’d hardly describe using precious materials to craft couture as cutting-edge. Pure gold and silver threads have been woven in time-honoured saris like Benarasis and Kanjeevaram silks and craftsmanship techniques such as zardozi for generations.
And yet, this new subversion of bejewelled outfits, where ornaments and gemstones are directly encrusted on the garment, feels decidedly fun and fresh. The styling consensus? First, tie the look together with accessories in the same leitmotif—think pearls with pearls and polki with polki. Second, juxtapose it with makeup featuring some sparkle and shine à la Kapoor with bronzer and glossy lips.
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