Lookbook: Trousseau trends to know

At House of Armuse, bridalwear is blooming, literally. Designer Ayushi Jain’s latest collection, Love in Bloom, takes cues from sculptural silhouettes, sheer layering, and delicate 3D florals, but reinterprets them through the lens of spring romance and Indian craftsmanship. “It’s a tribute to the tenderness and optimism of first love,” she says.

The 2024–25 trousseau line features statement cape sets, contemporary-cut lehengas, and pre-draped sarees designed for both ease and impact. Comfort, she believes, is just as important as couture.

For bespoke looks, Jain recommends a lead time of four to six months, allowing space for design iterations and intricate finishes. Her advice? “Start with a classic foundation, then layer in personal touches - motifs, colours, or silhouettes that speak to your story. That’s how you create something lasting.”

For designer Vani Vats, bridalwear in 2024–25 is less about fleeting trends and more about enduring opulence. Her latest collection, Noorani, marks the label’s 10th anniversary with a tribute to Indian royalty - rich fabrics, bold gold embroidery, and silhouettes that fuse heritage with modern flair.

This season’s standout? Traditional cuts with subtle twists, like pockets in lehengas or Indo-Western kurta sets. “Brides are choosing pieces that feel luxurious yet personal,” says Vats.

Custom orders require a three-month lead time, with every detail, from embroidery placement to fit, tailored to the bride’s story. Her advice? “Don’t follow the trend, follow what speaks to you. That’s how you create something timeless.”

Brides are rewriting the rules, and Amreen Sandhu of the label Antithesis is all for it. “The Antithesis bride is modern, independent, and unapologetically stylish,” she says. Her latest collection embraces global trends like sculptural silhouettes and sheer layering, but through a refined, fashion-forward lens tailored for the UAE.

Forget heavy zardozi and over-the-top embellishments. Instead, think modular gowns in liquid satins, sculpted midi dresses, and even vegan leather pieces. “Our brides don’t want to look traditionally bridal; they want to look like the best version of themselves,” Amreen explains.

With a trousseau line that ranges from poolside partywear to reception-worthy evening looks, the focus is on clean lines, architectural draping, and statement textures, crafted using metallic threadwork, structured paneling, and zero-waste appliqués. The brand’s signature? Bold, trans-seasonal pieces that work across multiple events.

For brides eyeing custom pieces, Amreen recommends a 4–6 week timeline for made-to-measure designs. Her advice: “Don’t feel pressured to tick bridal boxes. Choose pieces that speak to your personality, because confidence, not conformity, is what makes a look timeless.”

Today’s bride wants more than Pinterest-perfect glamour, she wants a look that tells her story. “It’s about understated drama,” says wedding trousseau designer Angad Singh. “Bridal couture should feel modern yet sacred.”

“The 2024-25 bride is embracing elegance with edge,” he says. Sculpted blouses, fluid silhouettes, and sheer overlays are in, while pre-stitched drapes are giving way to artful, hand-draped saris paired with embellished bustiers.

For those seeking a bespoke piece, Singh recommends a 10-12 week timeline, allowing for a full design journey, sketching, sampling, and fittings. His advice to brides? “Choose silhouettes that empower you, fabrics that move with you, and details that feel personal. Create a moment, not just a garment, because timeless style is emotion made visible.”

At Anu Pellakuru, bridalwear isn’t just about following trends, it’s about storytelling through silhouette and surface. “Our latest collection reflects global influences like sculptural tailoring, sheer layering, and 3D florals, but reinterpreted with cultural grace for the UAE bride,” says designer Anu Pellakuru.

From flowing anarkalis to layered sarees and voluminous lehengas, her 2024–25 trousseau line blends raw silk, organza, and handwoven brocades with artisanal finishes, zardozi, threadwork, and heirloom-inspired embroidery. The effect? Regal yet refined ensembles that are anything but costume.

Sheer panels add softness without compromising modesty, while her signature 3D florals bring dimension and romance to every look. “We take archival elements and give them new life with bold craftsmanship and contemporary structure,” she explains.

For bespoke bridalwear, Pellakuru recommends a 4–6 month timeline to allow for handpicked materials and detailed fittings. Her advice to brides: “Let your outfit reflect who you are, not just what’s trending. Whether it’s the embroidery, the silhouette, or a custom palette, choose what feels personal and powerful.”

For brides who want to move, breathe, and look effortlessly chic, Basil Leaf’s latest trousseau line delivers. “We take bold global trends like sculptural drapes and turn them into wearable, fuss-free pieces,” says designer Neelam S. “It’s about silhouettes that fit well, fabrics that feel good, and handcrafted details that quietly shine.”

Catering to UAE weddings and their multiple celebrations, the label’s 2025–26 collection leans into breathable natural fibres - tussar, viscose silk, satin linen - designed to keep brides cool and stylish. Expect pre-draped saris, modern lehengas (yes, with pockets), and tailored co-ord sets that transition easily from ceremony to celebration.

Comfort doesn’t mean compromising on couture. Delicate hand embroidery and thoughtful design elevate each piece while staying rooted in the brand’s ethos of understated luxury.

For custom creations, Neelam recommends a 20–30 day lead time. Her advice? “Start with what feels true - your favourite colour, a silhouette that flatters - and build from there. Trends will pass, but personality lasts.”

For designer Gopi Vaid, bridalwear in 2024–25 is about marrying bold silhouettes with timeless artistry. “This season, it’s all about sculptural shapes and archival craftsmanship,” she says. Her latest mirror work collection blends these global trends with cultural sensitivity, creating pieces that resonate deeply with UAE brides.

Structured lehengas, contoured blouses, and embellished dupattas or capes form the backbone of her collection, offering modern drama with graceful coverage. “It’s bridalwear that feels ceremonial yet contemporary,” Vaid explains. “Every piece is crafted to photograph beautifully while remaining luxurious and wearable.”

Her trousseau line favours versatile fabrics with both structure and flow, giving movement to every layer. Mirror work, her signature, adds texture and sparkle without overwhelming the silhouette.

When it comes to bespoke looks, she suggests a four- to five-week lead time. Her advice for brides trying to stand out while staying timeless? “Start with something personal - an heirloom, a colour, a silhouette that feels like you - and layer in trend-forward touches with intention.”

Bridal couture is no longer about weight-it’s about movement. “Today’s bride wants to feel regal, but also real,” says designer Ritika Mirchandani, whose latest trousseau line fuses sculpted drapes with easy elegance. Her signature: tonal threadwork and bugle embroidery that create texture without bulk.

Inspired by global trends like 3D florals, pre-draped silhouettes, and structured layering, Mirchandani’s collection leans into softness with impact. “We’ve reimagined embellishment through a modern lens - everything feels couture, but wearable,” she explains.

The 2024–25 edit includes statement lehengas with trail capes, sari-gowns that move with ease, and structured jackets styled across outfits. Comfort, fluidity, and cultural sensitivity are key, especially for UAE brides seeking fashion-forward designs that don’t sacrifice tradition.

Custom looks take about 10–12 weeks, but Mirchandani believes brides should think beyond the timeline. “Start with how you want to feel - confident, comfortable, beautiful - and let the rest build around that.”

Her advice? Anchor your look in something classic, then layer on personal touches through colour, embroidery, or styling. “The goal isn’t just a viral moment, it’s a memory you’ll love for years to come.”

For Ridhi Bansal of Itrh, the modern bride doesn’t just want couture - she wants movement, sparkle, and mood. Their latest collection, Naach, pairs traditional Indian craftsmanship with fashion-forward silhouettes made for today’s celebrations.

“Our UAE clients love pieces that blend heritage with statement appeal,” says Bansal. Think corseted kaftans, cape sets, and gota-laced lehengas that effortlessly transition from ceremony to afterparty. Her signature touch? A bold reinterpretation of gota, now layered with intricate embellishments and styled across unexpected silhouettes.

From lightweight textures to party-ready shapes, every piece is designed for impact. “We’re seeing brides gravitate toward versatile outfits that feel glamorous but not weighed down,” says Bansal.

While Itrh offers bespoke looks, they advise a 45–50 day timeline, and a less-is-more approach. “Over-customising can dilute the essence of the design,” Bansal believes. “Sometimes, it’s best to trust the process.”

Confident femininity is the mood for 2024–25 brides, and designer Krisha Sunny Ramani captures it in sculpted silhouettes, shimmering metallics, and opulent textures. “Our latest collection reflects quiet glamour with a bold spirit,” she says. Designed with the UAE bride in mind, the line reimagines global bridal trends, like sheer layering and dimensional florals, into high-impact pieces with a luxe edge.

At the heart of the label is intricate hand embroidery, paired with floral prints, metallic flourishes, and vivid color palettes. Whether it’s a fluid lehenga, structured jacket, or layered drape, the collection celebrates expressive fashion. “Brides today are gravitating toward looks that feel personal and powerful,” Ramani explains.

Her trousseau line balances statement-making silhouettes with timeless artistry, offering versatility across pre-wedding festivities and post-wedding celebrations alike.

For custom looks, she recommends starting the design process three to four months in advance. Her advice: “Prioritise craftsmanship. Trends may shift, but beautifully made pieces with emotional value will never go out of style.”

This season, romantic maximalism is in full flourish, and Sheetal Batra’s latest collection Bahaar-e-Gul channels it with delicate intensity. Translating to “The Spring of Flowers,” the collection embraces 3D florals, sheer layering, and archival revival, all rooted in intricate Indian craftsmanship.

“Brides want lightness with luxury,” says Batra, who softens her silhouettes with draped organzas, pastel tones like Daisy Ivory and Lemon Yellow, and flowing forms that suit both sun-drenched UAE settings and opulent ballrooms. Traditional Kashmiri Tilla work and hand appliqué techniques are revived with a fresh sensibility, offering nostalgia that doesn’t feel dated.

For 2024–25, her trousseau line focuses on modest, vintage-inspired shapes, short kurtas with Farshi salwars, nipped waists, and softly voluminous hemlines. Pearl embroidery takes centre stage, adding quiet shimmer to soft silks and cotton-satins designed to breathe in warmer climates.

Bespoke creations begin at least six months in advance, but Batra encourages brides to leave the Pinterest boards behind. “True individuality,” she says, “isn’t about standing out, it’s about feeling completely yourself.” With personal touches like initials or dates embroidered into dupattas, every look becomes a love story in stitches - timeless, meaningful, and beautifully one-of-a-kind.

At Nitya Bajaj, bridalwear is taking a bold turn, by looking back. Her latest collection, Ajrakh Ki Rani, revives the centuries-old Sindhi craft of Ajrakh resist-printing and reimagines it through a high-fashion lens. “It’s an archival revival,” she says. “Brides today are proud to wear tradition, but they want it with a modern twist.”

Crafted in never-seen-before shades of plum, violet, pink, and aubergine, the collection features full-flared banjara lehengas, scalloped odhanis, and corset blouses embroidered with sequins, zari, and even semi-precious stones. “It’s for the spirited, rooted bride who wants to make a statement, while staying true to her story,” Bajaj explains.

Expect Ajrakh saris with bold bustiers, sherwanis with cropped kurtas, and Korean pants paired with printed jackets. For 2025, metallic jewellery is being sewn directly onto garments, “think jhumkis on blouses,” she says, creating looks that are striking from every angle.

For bespoke pieces, Bajaj recommends planning three to four months in advance. Her final tip? “Balance is everything. If your lehenga tells a story, let the rest step back."

For Swapna Anumolu of Mishru, bridalwear isn’t just evolving, it’s blooming in brilliant, unexpected ways. Her latest collection redefines Indian couture through the lens of contrast and play. “We’re seeing brides embrace paradox - soft and structured, classic and futuristic, bold and romantic,” she says.

From corseted lehengas and sculptural cocktail dresses to power pantsuits and reimagined jumpsuits, Mishru’s silhouettes blur the line between bridalwear and fashion-forward self-expression. Each piece is anchored in colour theory, ranging from pastel serenity to punchy hues, and finished with ethereal textures like sheer layering and their signature 3D embroidery. “We’ve taken our florals to the next level,” Anumolu explains. “It’s embroidery within embroidery, foliage layered over more foliage.”

For brides craving personality over tradition, the 2024–25 trousseau is lighter, freer, and more fun. “The new bride doesn’t want to be weighed down,” she says. “She wants to feel like herself, just elevated.”

With a three- to four-month lead time, Mishru’s custom creations focus on joy, movement, and quiet drama.