When you meet Jaina Lalbhai, it’s impossible not to notice what she's wearing. Ask her, and it's an unusual run down of hidden gems, emerging designers, local finds alongside the established and archival. Whether she’s in a brightly embroidered co-ord set paired with quirky glasses or a silk sari that she belts at the waist with a leather corset, the Ahmedabad-based curator puts together one covetable fit after the next.
It’s this sense of great taste and her impeccable eye for style that led the trained lawyer to start working in fashion, curating brands for her travelling series of exhibitions, Style Audit by Jaina Lalbhai. Today, Lalbhai single-handedly produces up to nine shows all across India, each year. Last year, she launched The Artisans Audit by Jaina Lalbhai at The Wedding Collective, and as she preps for Season 2, she gives us a sneak peek into what to expect from her curation. Hint: It's a finely-honed selection of niche, artisanal, craft-lead and fashion-forward brands. Perfect for brides and grooms looking for those in-between wedding celebrations, and for bridesmaids and wedding guests looking for something that stands out from the usual. Here’s a glimpse inside:
What are you most excited about from this year’s edition of The Wedding Collective?
The sheer scale of the event. This year we have 14 names as part of The Artisans Audit, which is more than before. There are some of the older brands but I also wanted people to experience newness so there is plenty of fresh talent as well. It’s everything Mumbai loved last year, just more of it.
How do you approach curating The Artisans Audit for The Wedding Collective?
Honestly, I just decided that I would try and stay true to who I am and what I would like to wear. I tried not to think too much about what people from Mumbai want or haven’t seen before because ultimately, they’re so cosmopolitan, so aware of everything. I think that made the results a bit more refreshing. Growing up in Gujarat, I’ve been exposed to crafts and textiles and that reflects in my own personal style as well. I realised that people love to see more craft-oriented brands and champion designers who are paying homage to the crazy talent that exists in our country. The response last year really blew me away.
What else can we look forward to this year?
I really tried to keep a balance. Look out for some very contemporary takes on Indianwear along with hyper traditional, textile-oriented arts and crafts-centred garments. There are brands who are reviving traditional kadhwa or Banarasi weaves and others who are making draped saris or offering completely new takes on block printing. We’ve even got certain designers who work with the same craft, like say bandhani, but each of them would do it in a very different way. This year we also have menswear, which is a pivot. This is for all the husbands who came last year but left empty handed. We also we have some interesting jewellery, look out for amazing work with Keshi pearls and silver.
Who has shaped your ideas of fashion?
I think I’m going to talk about my grandmom. This is my Nanima, my mom’s mom, who is always the most impeccably dressed. It’s not so much about fashion, she is just so graceful. Even today she takes care of her skin, her hair is always in a very neat bun. In the evening she’ll put on a fresh crisp sari, growing up she always had the most elegant saris, and a bag to match. My mom is similarly effortless but in a different kind of way. Both of them had a big influence on my aesthetic.
Tell us how you started working in fashion?
I’m trained as a lawyer and I worked in mergers and acquisitions before I quit. I just came to a realisation that I couldn’t see myself doing the same thing for the next five years. To start with I started something called Baby’s Day Out, like a Design One type of exhibition but for kids. This was purely on instinct, I just felt it was an unmet market need. The scale was large—60 odd exhibitors from pan India. This was before Instagram and websites so it was a real treasure hunt to try and find the brands and people doing good things. I did that for eight years until fashion came along. People were always complimenting what I was wearing, and I wanted them to discover all these amazing designers from cities like Mumbai, Delhi, or Kolkata who make luxury prêt clothing. These are beautiful things you can wear in your daily life.
Ahead, all the brands you can look forward to from The Artisans Audit by Jaina Lalbhai:
Antar-Agni
Known for its innovative draping and asymmetrical cuts, Antar Agni blends traditional Indian elements with modern design. With a focus on natural forms and architectural structure, the brand creates gender-fluid silhouettes that balance flow and form.
Anushka Khanna
A pleasant burst of colour defines Anushka Khanna’s signature style—vibrant, contemporary, and rooted in fine craftsmanship. Her designs blend intricate Indian embroidery with global silhouettes, offering pieces that are versatile, comfortable, and thoughtfully made for repeat wear.
Aseem Kapoor
Rooted in a legacy of resilience and craftsmanship, Aseem Kapoor’s label blends tradition with contemporary expression. With a philosophy of ‘Tribe to Town,’ the brand connects artisanal skill with mindful design. His pieces explore themes of culture and conscience, balancing bold creativity with a deep sense of responsibility.
Avacara Jaipur
At Avacara, craft is not a detail, it’s the foundation. Drawing from the rich traditions of Bagru printing and marodi embroidery, the brand approaches design as a bridge between generations. Each garment is shaped by time-honoured techniques and a conscious effort as an homage to the artisans behind them.
Bejeweled Jewels
An international fine jewellery house, Bejeweled Jewels specialises in handcrafted pieces featuring high-grade rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and diamonds set in 18k gold. With roots in a family-run legacy dating back to 1968, the brand upholds a tradition of excellence through every stage—from sourcing gemstones to designing and crafting each jewel in-house at its New Delhi workshop.
Deep Thee
Where tradition blooms with a modern spirit, Deep Thee draws from nature’s quiet poetry—organic shapes, sun-washed hues, and the gentle art of Indian embroidery. The result is fluid silhouettes that feel rooted yet current, from printed sarees to delicately detailed kurta sets. Each piece reflects the brand’s signature balance of softness and structure, heritage and now.
Dhaaga & Co. by Savnit Gurnani
At Dhaaga & Co., Chikankari is more than embroidery, it's a legacy reimagined. Rooted in Lucknow’s heritage and tailored for today, the brand brings timeless handwork into modern wardrobes through thoughtful design and fine detailing. From fluid Anarkalis to pastel saris, each piece reflects hours of artisan-led craftsmanship and a quiet sense of luxury.
Ohfab By Aanchal & Akshita
Ohfab works directly with weavers from Benares, focusing on ethical production and design control. Known for its signature Pachranga weave, featuring five dyed silk threads in vibrant stripes—the brand reinterprets Indian heritage through kurta sets, dresses, and separates. Each piece balances craftsmanship with contemporary design.
Pooja-Keyur
Rooted in Ahmedabad, Pooja-Keyur approaches Indian craftsmanship through a contemporary, design-forward lens. Their collections, ranging from tailored pret to intricate bridal and pair regional techniques with graphic structure and subtle colour play. The result is clothing that feels studied and unlike anything else.
Raji Ramniq
Founded by sisters Raji and Ramniq, this Gurugram-based label offers handcrafted occasionwear rooted in traditional embroidery techniques like zardozi and dabka. From lehengas to contemporary co-ord sets, the brand blends classic detailing with modern silhouettes, ideal for weddings and festive celebrations.
Sheetal Zaveri by Vithaldas
Sheetal Zaveri reimagines heirloom jewellery through a modern lens, blending antique finishes with contemporary forms. Known for her two-toned gold-dipped pieces, the brand offers versatile designs that move effortlessly from everyday elegance to wedding-worthy statements.
Still by Tejal & Rhea
Founded by mother-daughter duo Tejal and Rhea Patel, Still reinterprets heirloom Indian craftsmanship into collectible occasionwear. The brand specializes in premium artisanal embroidery, statement jackets, and richly textured ensemble pieces—from festive gatherings to couture weddings.
Studio Medium
Studio Medium, founded by Riddhi Jain, treats textiles as design experiments—blending resist-dyeing, surface innovation, and sculptural forms. Each piece rethinks tradition with precision, offering sarees and garments that are both artistic and future-facing.
SVA by Sonam & Paras Modi
Known for its India Modern aesthetic, SVA brings handcrafted luxury to the forefront with a focus on sustainability, zero-waste practices, and craft revival. The brand offers statement occasionwear—rich in detail, rooted in heritage, and tailored for the global Indian.
To visit The Artisans Audit by Jaina Lalbhai register here for Season 2 of The Wedding Collective
