The sisters-in-law duo behind Jade, Monica Shah and Karishma Swali, have championed Indian artistry and its contemporary reinvention to preserve home grown crafts since the very onset of their fashion house. Over the last decade, this has won them the patronage of the globe-trotting modern Indian woman. It also gave them an insight into their muse’s shifting sensibilities, especially the Jade bride—they realised she was forgoing over-the-top maximalism. Instead, bespoke creations that allowed room for self-expression became the fabric of her discerning aesthetic. And thus, Monica & Karishma Couture was born.

How is this different from the house’s existing labels, you wonder? “Jade Couture has something for the entire bridal entourage, while Jade is our occasion wear and prêt brand. But Monica & Karishma Couture is our ode to the Jade bride,” explains Shah. “After 10 years in the industry, we wanted to further the experience of curating a bridal trousseau through limited edition pieces with high artisanal value. So we’ve made the entire process more inclusive and immersive,” she adds. “Our bride is a connoisseur of the arts. The trousseau isn’t just about clothes for her, but a certain experience of luxury. She has a clear vision and is partial to heirloom pieces rather than trendy designs. Our focus with this launch is on co-creating pieces with the bride,” adds Swali.

How is this different from the house’s existing labels, you wonder? “Jade Couture has something for the entire bridal entourage, while Jade is our occasion wear and prêt brand. But Monica & Karishma Couture is our ode to the Jade bride,” explains Shah. “After 10 years in the industry, we wanted to further the experience of curating a bridal trousseau through limited edition pieces with high artisanal value. So we’ve made the entire process more inclusive and immersive,” she adds. “Our bride is a connoisseur of the arts. The trousseau isn’t just about clothes for her, but a certain experience of luxury. She has a clear vision and is partial to heirloom pieces rather than trendy designs. Our focus with this launch is on co-creating pieces with the bride,” adds Swali.

With this in mind, every ensemble is handmade from start to finish, with only three pieces of every design. The outfit isn’t the only thing that’s personalised—the special trunk packaging is customised as well, complete with a custom label and hand-painted sketch signed by the designers. The debut collection, ‘La Muse Mystique’, makes extensive use of the ‘ek taar technique’ (where pieces are intricately crafted with just one thread), while also incorporating French knots and Japanese beads on Torani silk and Italian tulle. The medley of the various crafts makes this collection a deeply intricate one, with a single piece taking up to 9,000 man hours to create.

The silhouettes juxtapose contemporary embroidered jackets, A-line lehengas, sheath skirts and draped saris with Victorian blouses, Mughal-inspired anarkalis and lacy gowns. The palette is a colour wheel that spins between midnight green, lunar silver and coral rose, with bold brushstrokes of fuchsia pink, mandarin orange, garnet red and twilight purple. “Brides today are drawn to intricate embroideries that are glamorous yet timeless. There is no place for garish bling in her trousseau. This collection marries a new world mindset with old-world charm—a pairing that has been our forte from the start,” Swali signs off. Scroll ahead for more pictures from Monica & Karishma Couture’s debut collection.