Isha Ambani, the daughter of business tycoon Mukesh Ambani and philanthropist Nita Ambani, is once again making waves in the fashion world. Known for her impeccable style and cultural pride, Isha recently collaborated with luxury Italian fashion house Roberto Cavalli to create a couture gown that perfectly blends Indian craftsmanship with high-end European couture.
A months-long collaboration with Roberto Cavalli
The vibrant pink sleeveless gown, custom-designed for Isha, took months to be handcrafted by skilled artisans. The creative vision was brought to life under the direction of Fausto Puglisi, the creative director of Roberto Cavalli. The design draws inspiration from Cavalli’s 2012 collaboration with Vogue India for the iconic Project Renaissance campaign, which celebrated cross-cultural artistry.
One of the standout features of this gown is its use of bandhani, a traditional tie-dye textile technique from Kutch, Gujarat. This intricate fabric adds a unique texture and rich cultural dimension to the silhouette. By merging the heritage of Indian textiles with Cavalli’s signature dramatic flair, the gown emerges as a timeless masterpiece that reflects both tradition and modernity.
Stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania on the look
Sharing Isha Ambani’s pictures on Instagram, celebrity stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania expressed her excitement over the project. She wrote, “A really special collaboration with Roberto Cavalli creating a couture gown for Isha that elegantly fused Indian craftsmanship with Italian couture. Handmade over months using classic bandhani traditionally from Kutch crafted by local artisans.”
Netizens disappointed with Isha's look
While Isha Ambani’s couture moment with Roberto Cavalli earned praise from fashion insiders, not all reactions were glowing. On social media, several users criticised the look for “diluting” the traditional essence of a sari under the guise of global couture.
One commenter remarked, “Umm… mummy ki saree se toh ye Pandav Nagar ki boutique wali bhi bana degi.” Others felt the luxury tag didn’t justify the concept, with one user pointing out, “I can get better fabric at Sarojini Nagar.”
Another critique emphasised how sari-inspired gowns are neither new nor groundbreaking and said, “People have been upcycling their mother’s or grandmother’s saris for ages. Down south, it’s common to see Kanchipuram silks turned into dresses, it’s not exactly genius.”
A few questioned the couture value altogether, suggesting that a skilled local tailor (darzee) with creative vision could’ve produced a more striking look using the same material.
