Pastel weddings aren’t going anywhere, Gopi Vaid has called it

One thing is clear about designer Gopi Vaid—she understands our obsession with Millennial-era fashion icons. For her recent runway show in Mumbai, the designer showcased her new collection ‘Chaar Bagh’ and debuted her menswear line, to celebrate Vaid brought not one, but two Noughties stars—Shilpa Shetty and Dino Morea. The former is already a fan of the brand and frequently wears her ruffled saris and mirrorwork lehengas on the red carpet. Both showstoppers perfectly captured the easy glamour of Vaid’s new spring/summer 2026 collection, which is definitely bringing sexy back—think a bare-chested Morea in pleated dhoti pants and an unbuttoned gold sherwani and Shetty in a backless corset top with a champagne-gold voluminous embroidered lehenga.

‘Chaar Bagh’ is inspired by the beauty of a traditional Mughal garden in bloom, lush textiles in fine gota-work with handcrafted marori embroidery and for a little dazzle, delicate mirrorwork. Beautifully embroidered shararas, lehengas, kurta sets, and kaftans in a spring-ready palette of bright lime greens, shocking pinks and turquoise blues. The new menswear line offered a more relaxed but still regal take on occasion wear. From kurta sets layered with vests, to jackets layered over slouchy dhoti-like pyjamas, and light sherwanis and jackets perfect in summer fabrics, worn with the ease of a groom who knows it’s his big day.

The show gave us a taste of what your summer wedding style should look like: light, bright, and playful. Vaid tells us more about her vision for Gen Z brides and grooms.

You’ve launched your first menswear collection. Is designing for grooms different from designing for brides?

Menswear actually began very organically for us. Every bride we dressed would always ask us to dress her man as well, so it naturally evolved from there. We loved the idea of couples having a cohesive look for their celebrations. Designing for grooms is quite different from brides. Men focus much more on fit, structure, and simplicity, whereas women enjoy embellishment, texture, and a little bit of drama. It’s been exciting to explore that balance while still bringing the Gopi Vaid aesthetic into menswear.

Who are some stylish men you would love to see in your clothes?

There are so many stylish men in Bollywood today. I would love to see actors like Rohit Saraf, Ranveer Singh, Vicky Kaushal, and Sidharth Malhotra in our menswear. They each have a strong personal style and carry Indian wear beautifully.

What’s that one Gopi Vaid must-have for the boys?

One of our most loved pieces is the gold tissue kurta we created for Rohit Saraf. It’s become a classic for us. The fabric has a beautiful, understated sheen, the silhouette is elegant, and it works for so many occasions—from festive celebrations to weddings.

Your sari sets are traditional yet modern—has the Gen Z bride given your saris a new twist?

We’ve always enjoyed reinventing the sari. Our frill sari, which was popularised by Shilpa Shetty, became one of our signature styles because it brought movement and playfulness to a very classic garment. Right now, the concept sari is really trending. We’re experimenting with interesting drapes, pre-stitched structures, and styling the sari with unexpected elements like shararas or layered blouses. For the Gen Z bride, it’s all about making the sari feel effortless, youthful, and easy to wear while still keeping the elegance of the tradition.

Is there a specific trend, colour or style that is currently trending?

Brides are definitely leaning towards softer, more romantic colour palettes—pastels, powder pinks, pistachio greens, soft golds and ivories. There’s also a shift towards lighter fabrics and easier silhouettes, because brides want to move, dance, and enjoy their celebrations. At the same time, they still love craftsmanship, so we’re seeing a beautiful mix of delicate embroidery with modern, relaxed styling.

Your advice to brides currently building their wedding wardrobe:

Balance statement pieces with pieces you will actually rewear. Weddings today have many functions, so choose outfits that reflect your personality but also feel comfortable. Invest in a few timeless silhouettes—like a beautiful sari, a classic lehenga, or a versatile kurta set—that you can style differently over time. The most important thing is that you need to feel confident and truly yourself.