Jacqueline Fernandez wore a blush sari to a recent event that brought pearls and laces back into the discussion. Manish Malhotra’s pastel piece was inspired by the Edwardian romance of the early 1900s. It is a soft-focus sensuality, both nostalgic and modern, from colour to craft. The sari, constructed in lace, is embellished with pearls, which extend from the scalloped edge across the fabric. The details are concentrated at the edges where pearls in varying sizes adorn the hemline and the pallu. This creates a dense outline against a more sparsely scattered field. Fernandez moves the drape slightly by pulling the pallu over her back, and letting it hang from one arm. This keeps the border visible for longer. The blouse is the true star of the ensemble. It is a departure from the conventional codes. A silk bralette is layered with a matching cropped lace cape. The cape has a high neckline, and pearls are applied in a dense density along the scalloped edge and neckline. This almost gives the illusion of wearing a statement piece. Coco Chanel, a famous designer of the early 20th century, reimagined the pearls as symbols for female independence and not just aristocratic status. This spirit has been repeated on international runways. Dior has embraced pearl accents in clothing and accessories. Simone Rocha, Vivienne Westwood and others have played with subversive styling of pearls. Manish Malhotra’s Fernandez sari gives this long-standing Western obsession a translation for Indian occasion wear.
