The story traces Vaishali Shadangule’s journey from a tiny Malad boutique to flagship stores in Mumbai and Paris, and her historic showcases at Paris Couture Week and Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week. She explains how ‘Anahata’ channels the heart chakra through intimate drapes and sculptural textiles, and argues that Indian bridal couture’s future lies in authentic, craft-led, globally influential design.
Vaishali Shadangule worked several odd jobs before being able to open her own 100-square-foot boutique in Mumbai’s Malad, with a bank loan of ₹50,000. That was in 2001. Today, she has flagship stores in Mumbai’s Kala Ghoda and Paris’ Boulevard Saint Germaine. Career highlights include being the first Indian woman designer to showcase a collection at Paris Couture Week, in 2021, and being the first Indian designer to showcase at the Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week (BBFW), this year. Robb Report India spoke with Vaishali about ‘Anahata’, her 35-look collection at BBFW26, her relationship with craft, and her vision for the future of Indian fashion.
Vaishali S (VS) : For me, it’s about showcasing Indian handloom, craft, culture, and heritage on an international platform. I wanted to create a dialogue between Indian heritage textiles and modern silhouette construction. Returning for the second time (she debuted at the BBFW trade show in 2025, followed by the BBFW26 showcase) made the experience even more special, because there was an awareness and appreciation for our work.
VS: I wanted to express love as an energy that moves through memory, touch, and emotion. That philosophy shaped the entire collection. The softness of the drapes, the movement of the textiles, and the sculptural details were all designed to feel intimate, emotional, and alive.
VS: Craft holds memory, knowledge, and time within it. There can be a tendency to simplify or exoticise craft, which I consciously avoid. My focus is always on showcasing Indian textiles and craftsmanship with honesty, dignity, and emotional depth.
VS: Today, authenticity, sustainability, craftsmanship, and storytelling are more valued. There is also an interest in Indian textiles and artisanal processes not just as embellishment but as true luxury.
VS: The world is beginning to understand that Indian fashion is not only about ornamentation. I see Indian bridal couture becoming more experimental, more textile-driven, and more globally influential while remaining deeply connected to craft traditions. My work exists in that space where heritage and contemporary couture come together as a living, evolving expression of Indian culture.