Latest news with #GaurangShah
News18
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Genelia Deshmukh's Khadi Jamdani Lehenga Captures the Beauty of Indian Textiles
Last Updated: Designed by Gaurang Shah, the khadi jamdani lehenga features motifs inspired by the gardens of Taj Mahal. Fresh off the massive success of Sitaare Zameen Par, Genelia's love for Indian craftsmanship continues with an exquisite ensemble designed by celebrated textile designer Gaurang Shah. Known for her love for honouring Indian crafts through her fashion choices, Genelia looked like a modern-day princess in a traditional jamdani lehenga set. Ahead of the release of her latest Telugu film, Junior, Genelia Deshmukh exuded royalty and grace in a Gaurang Shah khadi jamdani lehenga set at the film's promotional event in Hyderabad. Genelia was joined by filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli, Sreeleela and Kireeti Reddy among others. The hand charkha khadi jamdani was woven in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh and took 18 months to weave. Genelia Deshmukh not only looked surreal in the ensemble but also celebrated the statement piece by posting a series of images of the stylish look on Instagram. The timeless ensemble was from Gaurang Shah's collection Rang Raas, which is a tribute to handmade artistry. The traditional weave, Jamdani which is derived from the Persian words jam (flower) and dani (vase) mirrors the motifs designed on the handwoven muslin fabric. The floral blooms on Genelia's lehenga set are inspired by the Mughal gardens of the iconic Taj Mahal. The woven off-white fabric played the perfect canvas for the multi-coloured woven floral motifs adding a pop of colour to Genelia's traditional style. Styled by celebrity stylists Pranay Jaitly and Shounak Amonkar of Who Wore What When, Genelia's traditional look was further enhanced with handcrafted jewellery pieces from Kishandas & Co. Every heritage statement piece featuring chandbalis, a choker set, kadas and hair accessories added traditional opulence to Genelia's look. Genelia's kohl-laden eyes and braided hair styled with vibrant orange flowers set the tone for the traditional Indian wedding look for brides to be. Genelia's makeup was done by celebrity makeup artist Audrey Sangma and her hair was styled by celebrity hair stylist Jyoti Sawant. Directed by Radhakrishna Reddy, Junior is slated for release on July 18. Beyond Junior, Genelia Deshmukh has an exciting slate of projects lined-up. Her upcoming ventures include a horror-comedy directed by Ram Gopal Verma, titled Police Station Mein Bhoot. Genelia also has the action-romance-drama Gunmaster G9, where the actress will share screen space with Emraan Hashmi. view comments First Published: July 17, 2025, 18:52 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hans India
23-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Empowering women through threads
Sireesha Karne, the visionary behind Hyderabad-based fashion brand The Label Munni, is redefining Indian fusion wear with heart and purpose. After honing her craft under stalwarts like Neeta Lulla and Gaurang Shah, she launched her own label with the mission of making handcrafted fashion more inclusive and empowering. In this exclusive interview, Sireesha opens up about the fashion trends of 2025, the story behind her brand, and how she combines fashion with philanthropy. 2025 has seen fashion evolving rapidly. What major trends are dominating the Indian fashion landscape this year? This year, fashion is all about comfort-driven elegance. We're seeing a rise in sustainable fabrics, earthy tones, and handcrafted textures. Indian consumers are leaning toward conscious fashion — garments that reflect tradition but are modern in appeal. Fusion wear, especially, has taken center stage. Think breathable cotton sarees paired with structured blouses, or lehengas teamed with crop jackets. There's also a strong revival of regional handlooms and embroidery techniques, which I find exciting. Your brand has gained traction for being both accessible and stylish. What inspired its creation? After working with incredible designers like Neeta Lulla and Gaurang Shah, I realized there was a gap in the market for quality handcrafted fashion tailored specifically for middle-class women. The Label Munni was born from that idea — to create elegant fusion wear that celebrates every woman, regardless of her age or body type. I wanted to offer pieces that make women feel confident at every stage of life — from college farewells to weddings and everything in between. How do you ensure your brand stays inclusive, especially in terms of sizing and affordability? Inclusivity is the foundation of The Label Munni. We offer fully customizable fits — that means, every outfit can be tailored to the customer's measurements and style preferences. We don't believe in standard sizing because every woman is unique. As for affordability, we work closely with artisans and maintain a lean production process so that handcrafted wear doesn't feel like a luxury but a celebration anyone can afford. Outside of fashion, you're also known for your philanthropic initiatives. Can you share more about that side of your work? Philanthropy is very close to my heart, and I draw a lot of inspiration from my mother-in-law, Suguna, who worked tirelessly in the women and child welfare department. Inspired by her, I've started small initiatives where I train underprivileged women in basic tailoring and embroidery. The goal is to gradually build The Label Munni into a full-fledged apparel company that provides employment to women in semi-urban and rural areas. Empowering women through fashion — that's my true mission. What's next for you and The Label Munni? Expansion is definitely on the cards. I want to open flagship stores across tier 2 cities where fashion options are limited but aspirations are high. I'm also working on a new bridal-fusion line that combines heritage crafts with contemporary silhouettes. And more importantly, I want to keep growing our training programs for women — because when women thrive, the entire community thrives. Lastly, what message would you give to young designers who look up to you? Stay authentic to your vision. Trends will come and go, but your voice and your values will set you apart. And never underestimate the power of fashion as a tool for social change — it can truly transform lives.
News18
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Miss World 2025: Gaurang Shah Drapes 60 Contestants in Telangana's Handwoven Legacy
Last Updated: Miss World contestants drape themselves in tradition with Gaurang Shah's Telangana textiles Amid the carved grandeur of Telangana's 1000 Pillar Temple and the UNESCO-recognized Ramappa Temple, sixty women from across the globe stood radiant and reverent. They weren't just visiting ancient monuments—they were adorned in living heritage. Draped in handwoven sarees and ghaghras, these Miss World 2025 contestants became ambassadors of Indian craft, embodying a cultural moment that was both fashion and tribute. At the heart of this unforgettable tableau was Gaurang Shah, Hyderabad's celebrated textile revivalist and designer, known for elevating India's handlooms into haute couture. Entrusted with styling the 60 international delegates for their cultural tour of Telangana, Shah delivered a visual symphony of weaves, colour, and story. 'To represent Indian handlooms on such a global stage—and to do it at sites that are living museums of our heritage—was deeply emotional," says Shah. The designer drew from the rich textile traditions of the region, choosing Gadwal for its luxurious zari borders, Narayanpet for its crisp checks, and the globally renowned Pochampally Ikkats, both single and double, known for bold geometrics and hypnotic hues. Each temple visit became a runway of reverence—an editorial of elegance. In Warangal, the women were styled in sarees, a tribute to temple femininity and strength. At Ramappa, they wore flowing ghaghras crafted from a stunning blend of silk, cotton, tussar, matka, muga, and cotton-silk. Some donned luminous Chanderi, others floated in feather-light organza—each garment echoing the individuality of its wearer and the collective genius of India's weavers. 'Every fabric I chose carried a story," Shah explains. 'Each weave and motif was selected to reflect the deep spiritual and cultural roots of this land." This wasn't just fashion—it was diplomacy in drape form, a dialogue between civilizations through thread and textile. The ancient stones of Telangana stood witness to a powerful exchange: sacred spaces meeting sacred crafts, women from around the world embodying the soul of Indian handloom. In an age where fast fashion dominates, Shah's moment was a global celebration of slow, sustainable, soulful fashion—a spotlight on tradition, identity, and craft as couture. Gold Threads and Ivory Dreams: A Regal Jamdani Moment for Miss India Nandini Gupta The magic continued at the 72nd Miss World Pageant's grand opening in Hyderabad, where all eyes turned to Nandini Gupta, India's 21-year-old contestant, who took the stage in a breathtakingly handcrafted ensemble by Gaurang Shah. She wore a handwoven ghaghra paired with a saree-draped dupatta—an ensemble that shimmered with heritage and innovation. The look was built on a poetic jugalbandi of Jamdani weaves from Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, meticulously crafted from hand-charkha spun khadi yarn and embellished with gold zari leharia motifs. The highlight? A majestic 'Bangdi Mor' pattern—four peacocks poised within a bangle—woven into the border and palla. A motif rich in Maharashtra's artisanal legacy, it represents beauty, grace, and timeless design. 'This textile took nearly three years to weave, with eight artisans dedicating themselves to perfecting every detail," Shah reveals. 'When Nandini's team reached out, I knew this fabric would reflect the soul of India and suit her poise." Set on an ivory base, the gold detailing shimmered with understated grandeur, making the ensemble a perfect blend of rooted tradition and contemporary finesse. With whispers of Shah potentially crafting more ensembles for Nandini as the competition unfolds, lovers of textile artistry have much to look forward to. 'My mission has always been to celebrate India's handlooms—our Jamdani mastery, our weavers' exquisite skill—on global platforms," says Shah. 'Miss World offered the perfect stage for that dialogue to continue." A Fabric of Nationhood, a Fashion of Storytelling What Gaurang Shah has done through these moments isn't just style 60 contestants or one queen-in-the-making—it's stitched India's narrative into the global fabric of culture. In every motif and every drape, there's a message: Indian handlooms are not history—they are living legacies, woven with purpose, power, and poetry. First Published: May 15, 2025, 15:57 IST
