Homegrown labels that should be on your shopping list this festive season

Fashion’s status quo may shift with every passing year, but one festive-season ritual remains unchanged: the wardrobe overhaul. As the calendar inches towards pujas, parties and those glorious mid-week holidays we all secretly plan around, festive dressing is already taking centre stage. But dressing up for the season no longer begins and ends with the obligatory lehenga. This year, the more interesting wardrobe is one that moves fluidly between traditions and moods. A hand-crafted silhouette for Diwali dinner, a maximalist dress for cocktails, jewellery that can make a simple kurta feel considered, and a great bag that works just as well with a sari as it does with jeans.

And given that the Indian festive season is, by nature, a riot of colour, texture, and embellishment, homegrown labels are rising to the occasion. Across the country, newer names are making a case for dressing up without making it feel overly formal, predictable or reserved for one particular kind of celebration. If a festive wardrobe refresh is on your agenda, consider this your starting point.

For the traditionalist who wants a fresher take — Rivaaj

If your festival calendar is a whirlwind of pujas, family lunches, and intimate gatherings, Rivaaj offers Indian wear that feels and flows easily. The Jaipur-based label uses authentic hand-block printing and blends Indian and fusion silhouettes, from Anarkalis and lehenga sets to co-ords and dresses.

However, for an easy-going yet dazzling outfit, the trick here is not to over-style. A hand-blocked Anarkali can easily carry a festive afternoon with jhumkas and a pair of embellished flats, while one of the label’s lehenga sets can be made more contemporary with minimal jewellery and a sleek bun. For smaller celebrations, look beyond the obvious heavy occasionwear and pick a printed set that can return to your wardrobe after the festivities are over. We think Rivaaj’s prints do the talking, so let one statement element—earrings, shoes, or a bag—take the lead.

For jewellery that doesn’t look like everyone else’s — Arvino

There is something to be said for jewellery that doesn’t arrive with a predetermined occasion. Arvino’s contemporary pieces lean into unusual textures, asymmetrical forms and sculptural shapes, making them particularly useful for those who aren’t interested in looking conventionally festive.

For an inspired look, pick their Golden Net Earrings, with their structured gold-toned geometry and zircon detailing, or look towards the brand’s broader collection of ear cuffs, hoops and sculptural necklaces. The beauty of pieces like these is that they can work just as well with a silk sari as they can with a sharply cut black dress. For the festive season, resist the temptation to pile on every piece at once. A strong pair of earrings against an otherwise pared-back outfit will feel far more current.

For the woman who wants one genuinely special outfit — Amrta

There are occasions when “something nice” simply isn’t enough (additionally, in today’s world of fashion that instruction is utterly vague). That is where Amrta comes in. The label’s aesthetic sits somewhere between romantic femininity and art, with intricate hand embroidery, fluid fabrics and silhouettes that borrow from both Indian and Victorian references.

Its Indian Contemporary edit is particularly suited to the festive season. The Ethereal Whispers three-piece lehenga corset set, for instance, brings together a corset, skirt and dupatta rather than relying on a conventional lehenga formula. Elsewhere, the label’s collection of sculptural and embellished pieces makes a strong case for dressing up without defaulting to a traditional silhouette. 

For the bag that pulls the whole look together — Favori

Festive dressing has a practical problem: where exactly do you put your phone, gloss, cash, and approximately seventeen other things you suddenly need (we don’t need them but “just in case”)? Enter Favori. The label builds its bags around a balance of form and function, with everything from structured satchels and baguettes to totes and crossbody styles. The current collection includes the Clara baguette in a rich burgundy, which is particularly useful for the festive wardrobe, bringing colour into an outfit without demanding a full styling exercise. A little reminder, however: a festive bag doesn’t need sequins, sparkles and jazz. A beautiful shape, rich colour and polished hardware will definitely create a greater impact.

For the girl who doesn’t want to wear a lehenga — Style Junkiie

Let’s be honest: this is where festive dressing gets fun and challenging. Style Junkiie takes Indian artistry and gives it a distinctly cosmopolitan, fashion-forward spin. Its clothes are made in India in partnership with artisans, with techniques such as zardozi, handloom, and natural dyeing appearing alongside denim, corsets, and contemporary separates.

The label’s current Neel Jashn edit makes this point beautifully. Its dark denim corset and embellished lehenga take a traditional festive silhouette and give it an unexpected attitude. Elsewhere, sequinned corsets, paisley pieces and contemporary Indian sets offer plenty of options for the woman who wants her outfit to feel more fashion-week than family-function.

For the heirloom piece you will wear for years -  Bhargavi Kunam 

Some festive pieces are meant to be worn once; others are meant to stay in the family. Bhargavi Kunam falls firmly into the latter category. Rooted in traditional Indian craftsmanship, the Hyderabad-based label works with rich silks and Kanjivaram-inspired weaving to create sarees, half-sarees, lehengas, and festive ensembles that feel timeless without looking dated. For the festive season, look towards its richly woven pieces when the occasion calls for something more considered, and let the fabric and craftsmanship do most of the work. Traditional jewellery, a neat blouse and understated beauty are enough to bring the look together, making these the kind of pieces that can move from this year’s celebrations into the wardrobe for years to come.

For prints that can carry the entire outfit — NOIB

If you’re the sort of dresser who would rather let one great print do the work, meet NOIB. The Delhi-based label is known for bold, eclectic prints, natural fabrics and contemporary silhouettes, with production rooted in India and an emphasis on small-batch making. Its kaftans are an especially clever festive-season buy. The Adah Kaftan, for example, features a relaxed, floor-length silhouette with a V-neck, side slits, and a removable belt, letting you choose whether the look is loose and fluid or more defined at the waist.

For the cocktail party — ANI Clothing

Not every festive invitation requires Indianwear, and ANI Clothing makes a convincing case for it. The label is known for self-hand-painted prints, maximal colour and minimal patterns, translating Western silhouettes for Indian body types. But its dresses are where the festive potential lies. The Hana Dress, with its V-neck, flowing kimono sleeves, fitted waist, and flared hem, has a silhouette that can move from a cocktail evening to a more formal dinner without added fuss. The Cocora Twilight Dress, meanwhile, leans into a more dramatic sheer-satin finish. The key is to style these pieces as occasionwear rather than trying to make them look “Indian” through accessories. If the dress has volume or drama, don’t add a heavily embellished clutch just for its own sake. Contrast is what makes the look feel modern.

For the travel-heavy festive season — Bird Eye

The festive season isn’t only about parties. There are airport runs, road trips, gym sessions squeezed between events and the inevitable morning-after coffee. Bird Eye’s sportswear and athleisure pieces make sense for exactly this part of the calendar. Their performance-led pieces with a fashion focus, spanning leggings, sports bras, jackets, shorts and skirts, keep your ensemble light and active. Basically, Bird Eye reminds you that a festive wardrobe also needs downtime clothes. 

For Banarasi beyond the saree - Eeda 

Eeda takes the richness of Banarasi textiles and gives it a distinctly contemporary direction. Born in Varanasi, the label works with traditional fabrics such as Banarasi silk and brocade across modern silhouettes, from skirt sets and co-ords to occasionwear. For festive dressing, its pieces offer an easy alternative to the conventional lehenga, especially when you want something rooted in Indian craft that still works in a more fashion-forward setting. Pair a draped skirt set or structured silk silhouette with pared-back jewellery and heels, and let the fabric remain the focal point. The result is festive dressing that acknowledges its heritage without feeling bound by it.

For the morning after — Azurina

And finally, the unsung and unnoticed category of festive dressing: what you wear when the party is over. Azurina specialises in modern sleep and loungewear, built around soft fabrics, narrative prints and relaxed silhouettes. Its aesthetic is more “beautifully put together” than traditional pyjama dressing. Their printed sets and caftans are particularly useful if your festive calendar involves hosting. The Geetha Set, for instance, combines a relaxed caftan-fit top with elasticated trousers, pockets and stitchwork embroidery. Comfortable enough to lounge in but polished enough to answer the door without having to run around to find a jacket.

The bigger festive dressing lesson this year? You don’t need nine new outfits for nine invitations. Build around a few pieces that have personality: one Indian silhouette, one statement dress, a piece of jewellery that changes your basics, a bag that brings the entire ‘stume together and is comfortable enough to survive packed social calendars.

Lead image: The Brands 

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