Gone are the times when youngsters saw the traditional silhouette as inconvenient. The credit for it goes to new-age Indian fashion designers like Ridhi Mehra who have been responsible for turning saris into a work of art, especially with her fluid tissue and chiffon drapes.
Pastel shades are high on her list, and she enjoys creating breath-taking numbers with feather detailing, prints and monotone threadwork.
"Inspiration comes to me in unexpected moments," the designer reveals. "It could be watching light fall through vintage lamps during a family wedding, the palette of wildflowers on a morning walk, or even the laughter between people at a gathering. My work is deeply personal. I design for moments; emotional, feminine, powerful moments."
Taking a trip down memory lane, Ridhi recollects the first sari she created. "I remember wanting to create something young and fun. Frills were quite in at the time. That's when my first frill saree was born. It was part of the Cinco collection.
"After Cinco, I created my first drape sari as a part of the Basra collection. Both these journeys were special in their own way. It was a white chiffon saree that I paired with a jacket. I remember sitting with the masterji and spelling out everything, from length to dimensions and how the drapes would fall. It brings back fond memories," she says with a smile.
While Ridhi has glamourised her outfits with whimsical, girly details like frills and ruffles, one is curious if that is what they would see in her wardrobe as well. Explaining her personal style, the fashion designer says, "I am drawn to what is light but impactful. My wardrobe does reflect hints of what you see in my collections — ruffles, pastels and organza overlays.
"I am a maximalist at heart, but with a deep love for balance. Frills, when done right, can be poetic.
"I create from a place of emotion. I imagine the woman wearing it — how she enters a room, how she feels when she looks in the mirror. She is not dressing up for the world, she is celebrating herself. That drives me every time."
Ridhi loves a sari that speaks without shouting. "You don't need to show skin to be sensual. A well-placed pleat, a strong blouse, a hint of shimmer; that's where the allure lies. I try to design with that elegance and sensuality in mind."
A sari is "one of the most expressive garments an Indian owns", and Ridhi does wear it often "especially when I need to step out for a special occasion and still feel in my own skin; still feel celebrated."
For her, "there's something about the way a sari moves, how it hugs and frees you at the same time". "It's eternal," she gushes.
Ridhi has reinvented the sari with her pre-draped silhouettes and corset belts, making dressing up for a wedding a breeze. But how did she stumble on that idea? "It came from a place of ease," she explains.
"Women wanted to wear saris but didn't have the time or know-how to drape them. I wanted to create pieces that celebrated the drama of a sari but with the simplicity of slipping into a dress. The corset belt was the bridge between the traditional and the now."
Ridhi with her muse Shanaya Kapoor who is dressed in an opulent red lehenga from the Safarnama collection | Ridhi Mehra/Instagram
As a designer, Ridhi has proved that women can be feminine yet fierce in a sari. There is a hint of drama in her silhouettes, but she also brings about the delicacy and minimalism, while being rooted in tradition.
In a way, she is making women feel and look confident in a sari and without much ado one can state that the Ridhi Mehra bride is a woman who is not afraid to celebrate her individuality and style.
But how does the designer stay in the business of fashion to stand out rather than just make more moolah?
"I think when your intention is pure, it shows.
"I have never designed to chase trends or just sell more.
"Each piece is a story of the woman... her moment, her grace. That is what I want to be remembered for."
Is Ridhi more intuitive or analytical while designing garments? "Always intuitive," she declares. "But over time, I have learned to balance that with data. My heart designs the garment, and my team ensures it works in the real world."
Digital planning has also helped the designer's team map their fabric usage better, reduce waste, and even plan smarter inventory. It is a small step, but a meaningful one, because "fashion must evolve consciously".
Commenting about how she stays invested in keeping her looks timeless yet fun and wearable, Ridhi says, "Timelessness isn't about being boring.
"It is about creating pieces you will still want to wear five years from now.
"I make sure each silhouette feels fresh. Every detail is thoughtful. And I always design with joy."
For Ridhi, white ivory may not be the new red, but ivory is definitely having its moment. "Ivory is serene, elegant, and easy to personalise."
As for the second half of 2025, Ridhi predicts different shades of green, soft butter yellow, classics like ivories and blacks, along with a bold red and a fuchsia taking centre stage. "Not forgetting metallics that are here to make a statement this year," she adds.
For a cocktail night, she suggests shades of midnight blue or rose gold. For a puja, her go-to colours are marigold and pistachio. Family lunches call for subtle, softer shades of dusty rose and powder blue. As for a moonlit sangeet, white, lavender or pearl ivory with metallic hints are all popular choices for Ridhi.
"Fashion is about freedom. It is less about dressing up for others, and more about self-expression. Fashion today says: I know who I am — and I am showing up for myself."
