India Couture Week: Are pastels dethroning classic red bridal lehengas?

For generations, red has reigned supreme at Indian weddings. It was more than just a colour, it symbolised prosperity, passion, and the sacred bond of marriage. A bride in red has been traditionally wrapped in ritual and has been celebrated by most Indian families. But then came Anushka Sharma in a delicate blush pink Sabyasachi bridal lehenga, and suddenly, red had competition.

Now, even in 2025 the pastel lehenga trend has not died down; the latest collection displayed at India Couture Week is a great example.

The pastel lehenga continues to dominate

What began with that now-iconic Tuscany wedding in 2017 has snowballed into a full-blown aesthetic movement. Brides started to see their wedding outfits as a canvas to reflect themselves, not just their culture.

Flash forward to 2025, and the India Couture Week feels like a pastel dream. While veteran designer Ritu Kumar remained loyal to heritage roots, bringing flashes of red in her collection inspired by textile history, many other couture giants took a sharp turn away from the traditional palette.

Take Manish Malhotra, the man behind many Bollywood bridal moments. His latest collection leaned heavily into muted tones of champagne, off-white, rose gold; that shimmered with understated elegance. There wasn’t classic crimson in sight. Instead, there was texture, layering, and intricate embellishments that did all the talking, while the colours whispered.

Rahul Mishra, the storyteller, moved further into nature-inspired themes with floral motifs and flowers blooming across lehengas in soft greens, creams, and powder blues. His pieces felt less like bridal wear and more like walking art bold in craftsmanship, subtle in shade.

ALSO READ: Basque waist revival: From victorian roots to celebrity red carpets

Falguni Shane Peacock, known for their high-glam, dramatic couture, surprised everyone with a collection rooted in silver and soft pink. It was futuristic, ethereal, and refreshingly light made for brides who want to sparkle without being weighed down by tradition.

So, what has changed?

It’s not just about looking different. It’s about feeling different. Modern couples are approaching weddings as personal statements, not just societal ceremonies. Brides today want outfits that speak to their personality, that are photographed beautifully in daylight, and that don’t feel like borrowed customs.

Pastels, on the other hand, are open to interpretation. They’re calming, versatile, and give designers a broader playground to experiment with texture, embroidery, and mood. Of course, red hasn’t vanished entirely. It’s still powerful, but it’s still symbolic. But its monopoly is over.

ALSO READ: Crocs, Birkenstocks & Foam Runners: How Gen Z made ugly shoes cool