Finally, we have bridal lehengas that can be washed at home

Designer Rahul Mishra, who is showcasing at FDCI’s India Couture Week in Delhi, is creating ‘cotton couture’ and pieces that can be machine-washed and worn multiple times.

When one thinks of couture in India, it is usually heavily-embroidered lehengas that weigh a few cool kilos. But, innovation, the tug of technology, and the desire to be more sustainable is changing the wedding market in the country, which is often blamed for its excessiveness and habitual wastage. Designer Rahul Mishra, who will be showcasing on July 27 in Delhi, as part of Fashion Design Council of India’s India Couture Week , is putting up a collection on the ramp which includes wearable weddingwear.

“Any garment which gets more use out of it, is more sustainable. The aim was to create bridalwear that a bride can even drive to her wedding in! The workmanship might look very heavy, but it is light to wear, and the embroidery is easy to maintain. Such things matter a lot to a person who thinks about maintaining clothes. So basically, it is hand-embroidered couture that you can put in the washing machine and basically wash at home.” The number of times you wear a garment, also adds to sustainable behaviour. “ The point is to create separates that can be worn 50 other times in a life cycle rather than only on your big day and can be paired with anything — from a bridal lehenga with a shirt to a couture top with denims.”

Floral motifs also feature in Mishra’s Indianwear collection , Parizaad.