I spotted a lehenga online last year, and it stopped me in my (digital) tracks. It was everything I always look for in a lehenga – light, pretty, and reasonably priced. And it was marked as an Abhinav Mishra design. Who is Abhinav Mishra? And why hadn’t I heard of him?

A quick Google check showed his store was located at Shahpur Jat. Interesting, I thought, that there are still stores in Shahpur Jat I don’t know about. I’ve kept track of his work for over a year now, and watched him produce outfit after outfit that I’ve loved. Consistently. I wasn’t surprised when Pernia’s Pop Up Shop introduced his designs to their online store in June this year. In fact, it gave me the confidence to start recommending him to brides. Getting listed on Pernia’s, after all, is a mark of approval on a designer’s quality.

Last Friday, I finally made my way into his Shahpur Jat store to look at the clothes in person, and see if it lives up to the hype that has had a whole year to build up in my head.

Long story short: It does. I loved it. And best of all, the outfits are not priced exorbitantly.

Early Work

Abhinav Mishra has been in the business of creating Indian wear since 2012. Which means, while I was painstakingly picking out pieces to put in my trousseau and feeling perpetually frustrated at the lack of light anarkalis and lehengas that also look good and fall within my price range, Abhinav Mishra was sitting just a few kilometers from my house sketching out his first collection to cater to brides with the exact same taste and budget as mine.

*wipes fictional tear off cheek*

New Collection

There is only one word to describe his new collection – pretty. There are so many options for light lehengas – perfect for your Mehendi and even to attend your best friend’s wedding in. There are slightly heavier options that will make for great Sangeet outfits, and a handful that would even pass off as your wedding lehenga.

Here are my absolute favourites, followed by the rest of the collection.

Top Picks

The Remaining Collection

Click on the thumbnails to view larger images

Pink, Peach & Yellow Lehengas

Wedding Guest Style: Love the pink! Good for a bridesmaid.

For your Mehendi ceremony

Wedding Guest Style: Such a great option to wear to a close friend’s wedding. The muted colours lend it elegance.

Gold & Ivory Lehengas

Day Wedding in this gold lehenga? Yes?

Wedding Guest Style: For your friend’s wedding.

Wedding Guest Style: You can pull this off at your friend’s Reception

Suits & Anarkalis

Trousseau Pick! Brides, see see!

Wedding Guest Style: On your friend/sibling/cousin’s Sangeet or Reception

Trousseau Pick! The beauty of this piece is lost in this photograph. It was one of our favourites – you have to see it in person!

Trousseau Pick! The beauty of this anarkali lies in its simplicity.

Trousseau Pick! Another one I lovvved!

The Numbers

The anarkalis start at INR 10,000. And if you are willing to spend anywhere between 15-20k, you’ll find that his best anarkalis suit your budget. The light lehengas cost INR 30,000 on an average, although you will find some priced at INR 20,000 as well.

Where To Buy The New Collection

1. Delhi | Flagship store at 116-B, Ground Floor, Shahpur Jat | +91-7838280607 | Facebook page
2. Chandigarh | Adaah Couture at SCO 49-50, Sector 8C | +91-172-508500 and +91-9915020000
3. Raipur | Azra at Daga Building, Motibagh Chowk, Raj Bhavan Marg, Civil Lines | +91-7714095625
4. Mumbai | AZA at 24 Turner Road, Bandra | +91-9833281197
5. Mumbai | Mogra at Lower Parel (October onwards) | +91-22-24980809 and +91-9930981898
6. Online | Pernia’s Pop Up Shop & Bazzzar

The Shahpur Jat store is a cute little space, and you can sit with Abhinav to customise and create a design of your choice. Of course, take an appointment because he’s not always at the store. They also stock some very, very pretty artificial jewellery that I absolutely loved. Kundan and gold-plated earrings in the prettiest of designs, including chand balis, are available in plenty.

I’m particularly excited about this designer because I’m planning on picking up something for myself – a few weddings are lined up for the end of the year, including a very close family member’s, and this is exactly the kind of style I’ve been looking for. It’s light, with both pastel and bright colour options, and just a dash of bling. Wedding Guest Style perfection, no?

Any suggestions on what will go best for attending a Sangeet? 🙂

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