Are you looking for a special occasion gown, infused with the heritage of your Indian culture, with a uniquely modern aesthetic? That was the inspiration behind the signature Jasmine Tulle Gown. I’m excited to share the story behind my irresistibly glamorous hand-beaded gown. For me, this gown is the epitome of elegance: a statement piece that bestows effortless glamour, with subtle influences from my Indian heritage.
A vision in pale pink, elevated with Indian-inspired embellishments
"Every woman needs a gown that makes her feel incredible. I’ve designed the Jasmine Tulle Gown to give you that feeling, the moment you step into it. This pale pink gown is the perfect shade to set off your complexion. The deep V-neck, nipped in waist and voluminous embroidered skirt are timeless yet contemporary, with a subtle lehenga influence"
Layers upon layers of tulle and buttery soft satin create a sense of movement, the dupion adds texture, and the hand sewn beads catch the light as you move. This is the gown to wear when you want to make a statement, as it says so much, without you saying a word. My inspiration for the Jasmine Tulle Gown came from my visits to India. Jasmine grows in abundance there and I began sketching it as soon as I got the chance.
It's all in the detail
The deep V-neck bodice is simply styled with princess seams to ensure a flattering fit. This lets the intricate multi-layered tulle skirt take all the attention. With two layers and a gently gathered waist, reminiscent of the folds of a sari or lehenga, it gives a luxe look. Each tulle panel is embroidered with my jasmine design, with laser cut jasmine flowers added, and embellished by hand with a crystal in the centre. This creates a mesmerising 3D effect, as if the skirt is adorned with real flowers cascading down your body, kissing the floor.
The back of this Indian jasmine inspired gown holds a surprise. The two sides of the deep v-neckline meet with a single layer of delicate embroidered tulle. It's adorned with a smaller, more delicate version of the jasmine flowers. Finally this sumptuous gown is hand finished with a multi-faceted crystal vine-style belt for an added touch of luxury.
How to Style the Jasmine Tulle Gown by Rekha Mistry
"The beauty of this gown is that there are so many layers of embellishment, it’s effortless to style. We styled our model with her hair down, and added some small diamond studs, a delicate chain necklace, and a sparkling bracelet."
On our shoot, our model told me she felt like a princess, which made my heart full, because that’s exactly how I hope you’ll feel in this gown.
Because of the detail across the shoulders, this gown also looks stunning styled with your hair up, so you can enjoy the full effect of the jasmine embroidery.
For chillier evenings, you could add a cropped satin jacket. Or why not lean into your heritage with a dupatta. I’ve chosen a beautiful pale pink shade for the gown, so it’s easy to wear with any other colours, should you wish to. Hot pink, red, turquoise or navy all look sensational paired with pale pink, letting you style this dress in many ways, at an engagement, sangeet, or reception.
Making the Jasmine Tulle Gown
I recently visited the artisans who create the Jasmine gown, and the rest of my collection, in Kolkata. Seeing how they work is fascinating. They specialise in occasion wear and giving them the opportunity to work with me is helping keep those precious heritage skills alive. It was so inspiring seeing their attention to detail as they handed sewed on the flowers and crystals.
I’m so grateful to be able to meet them and thank them in person for bringing my vision to life. All of the intricate hand embroidery and delicate hand beading elevates each piece with an authentic, heirloom quality and luxurious feel, so you’ll treasure it for years to come. I hope that every stitch, every bead and every sari-inspired fold can tell your story, as it does mine.