Radhika Merchant’s wedding featured a gorgeous bridal ensemble designed by designers Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla and artist Jayasri Burman. The outfit has hand-painted panels on Italian canvas that display mythological themes and represented the couple’s union. The outfit was genuinely unique due to its intricate craftsmanship and creative collaboration.
Designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla collaborated with artist Jayasri Burman to create an amazing outfit for Radhika Merchant’s big wedding to Anant Ambani. Stylist Rhea Kapoor came up with the idea and Abu Sandeep was excited to turn Jayasri’s creative vision into a gorgeous bridal ensemble.
Jayasri’s painting was brought to life by hand-painting the lehenga’s 12 panels on exquisite Italian canvas.
The outfit celebrated Anant and Radhika’s union with profoundly significant images, showcasing Jayasri’s trademark mythical aesthetic. A celestial glow emanated from human images depicting the joyful couple symbolizing the divinity in their love. Anant’s love of animals especially elephants which were seen as lucky and beautiful was evident in the fauna. Blushing lotuses were a signature of Abu Sandeep’s style and represented the purity of the couple’s hearts.
Hand embroidery with genuine gold was a meticulous aspect of the craftsmanship. Zardozi Jayasri’s artwork featured intricate spaces decorated with a sparkling sea of sequins. Abu matched the lehenga with a shirt that was fully hand-embroidered in Resham by Jani Sandeep Khosla’s master craftsmen.
The outfit emanated the exhilaration of new beginnings and the thrill of living with one’s soulmate. Sandeep lovingly referred to the canvas lehenga’s dominant pink colour as “Ambani pink” since the Ambani women loved it and wore it with grace. Jayasri used many hues to get the appropriate depth and this colour was symbolic of festivity, beauty and auspiciousness.
Abu Sandeep commented, “Radhika was a stunning young lady, and her grin lit up the entire room! With this ensemble we wanted to make her the happiest bride ever. It was a pleasure for us to be involved in this cooperation that skillfully contrasted art and hand needlework. Art and fashion had always been lovers, and this creation became the perfect ode to Anant and Radhika.”
“Abu Sandeep were artists; their medium was couture, whereas mine was canvas,” Jayasri Burman remarked. I was granted complete creative freedom by Rhea, Abu, and Sandeep, who also recognized my true nature as an artist. My brush swept across the canvas in a dance. I hoped it made Radhika smile, and perhaps one day it will be framed and hung on her wall.
Rhea Kapoor said, “Working with three legendary artists—Jayasri Burman, Abu Jani, and Sandeep Khosla—was an honour and a privilege.” For nearly ten years I had imagined making something similar but I never imagined it would come to pass. I will always be humbled by the experience and thankful to everyone who was involved especially my lovely muse Radhika.”
