Love Papa Don’t Preach? You’ll Love These 8 Designers, Too

Raj Desai | 10/24/22

Raj Desai | 10/24/22

Writer, designer, and walking encyclopedia for South Asian weddings.

Colorful embroidered bridal lehengas

By now, I’m sure you’ve seen a formal outfit from design powerhouse Papa Don’t Preach. After the label took over the 2021 Hollywood Diwali celebrations, brides all over the planet have been donning her festive, colorful designs, all with their trademark, larger than life embroidery, colors, and silhouettes.

You read that, right? Brides all over the planet. Y’all are all wearing the same thing! Look, I’m not one to peddle the “who wore it best” trope, but it’s hard to avoid when everyone from Paris Hilton and Peloton instructors are doing TikToks in what was supposed to be your mehndi outfit.

If this has you considering stretching your wings to survey the whimsical bridal wear landscape, I fully support that. You should! There are so many South Asian designers creating vibrant, maximalist outfits that are perfect for a bride. I’m here to tell you who they are, what they’ve designed, and where you can find them.

Aisha Rao

If vibrant maximalism in arresting colors is what you crave, Aisha Rao’s designs will satisfy you in all the right ways. Her combinations of pattern, embroidery, and color in each outfit are carefree and luxurious. And the best part is that her line is good for the planet; every outfit is created from fabric waste. 

White Aisha Rao lehenga with colorful embroidery

Price:

Bridalwear options start at $1,500 and can go up to $5,000.

Pink and blue Aisha Rao bridal lehenga

Shop at:

Estie

House of Raina | in-store only, Vancouver

Kynah

Pernia’s Pop Up Shop

Colorful dark Aisha Rao lehenga

Siddhartha Bansal

Now this is a designer that you don’t want to sleep on. Siddhartha Bansal’s 8-year old, Delhi-based label is about one thing: JOY. And boy does he make you feel it in every lehenga, suit, and even his collection of Western wear. Inspired by the post-Vietnam War era in America (gotta love a fellow historophile), Bansal transforms psychedelic art into must-have fashion. 

Blue vibrant Siddhartha Bansal lehenga

Price:

Bridalwear options start at $1,000 and can go up to $2,100.

Bright Bridal Lehengas
Siddhartha Bansal carnation pink and teal bridal lehenga

Nitara Dhanraj Label

There’s not a lot of information on Nitara Dhanraj Label, but from what I’ve been able to gather this design house has been a favorite of South Asian actresses and influencers since at least 2018. And after you catch a glimpse at the designs, it’s easy to see why. Bright colors, shimmering embroidery, and affordable prices makes this a worthy Papa Don’t Preach alternative. 

Hot Pink Nitara Dhanraj Label bridal lehenga

Price:

Bridalwear options start from the mid $600’s and can go up to $2,000.

Bright Bridal Lehengas
Royal purple sharara set with colorful gold embroidery

WeaverStory

Wearing a WeaverStory bridal lehenga is meaningful not only because they promote of traditional handwoven techniques (hence the name), but also because they’re taking the designs from the hands responsible for these creations and bringing them straight to market—no middleman corporate bigwigs involved. And their Banarasi lehengas are simply *chef’s kiss.*

Pastel and Pistachio Banarasi lehenga

Price:

Bridalwear options start at $900 and can go up to $2,000.

Eggplant purple Banarasi bridal lehenga
Yellow Bridal Banarasi Lehenga with orange dupatta

Warp N' Weft

Considered a textile institution rather than a design label, Warp N’ Weft is also doing the important work of elevating traditional handloom techniques and the artisans behind them. The designs, however, are anything but traditional. From inventive color combinations to bustier lehenga tops, Warp N’ Weft is a perfect marriage (couldn’t resist) between old and new. 

Green, pink and white Banarasi bridal lehenga

Price:

Bridalwear options start at $1,300 and can go up to $4,000.

Bustier top Banarasi lehenga in hot pink
Off the shoulder Banarasi bridal lehenga

Keerthi Kadire

Keerthi Kadire’s most recent collection is a celebration of everything happy, playful, and floral. With both small and large floral motifs, prints, and embroidery, every design is ripe for the picking for your outdoor spring wedding. 

Yellow flower bordered bridal lehenga

Price:

Bridalwear options start at $700 and can go up to $2,400.

Mint and pink bridal lehenga
Bright Bridal Lehengas

Aneesh Agarwal

At the top of a lengthy list of things to love about Aneesh Agarwal? There’s so many lehengas to choose from! From mixed colors to monochromatic outfits, oversized foil to tiny detailed embroidery, there’s a design to match any bride and every wedding event. 

Bright Bridal Lehengas

Price:

Bridalwear options start at $1,000 and can go up to $3,300.

Colorful bridal lehenga from Aneesh Agarwal
Green base Aneesh Agarwal bridal lehenga with glittering embroidery

Sahil Kochar

Sahil Kochar’s designs look like something you’d see on a Hollywood red carpet—breathtaking designs that are unlike anything you’ve seen from other South Asian designers. But that avant garde design comes with a cost. It’s the most expensive designer on our list with prices that are comparable to Papa Don’t Preach. 

Floral embroidered bottle green bridal gown

Price:

Bridalwear options start at $1,000 and can go up to $5,500.

Abstract sky blue bridal gown from Sahil Kochar
Champagne bridal jumpsuit with white embroidery

Raj Desai

Content strategist and UX writer who’s been researching and writing about weddings for 5 years. Addicted to Netflix, dirty martinis, and naps.

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