KARISHMA
A Bespoke Lilac Chikankari Lehenga for Her Evening Reception | Sherni London
For her evening reception, Karishma had one clear intention: to feel as beautiful as she had on her wedding day, while being able to move freely, dance all night and simply enjoy every moment. It is exactly the kind of brief we love - where elegance and ease must work in perfect harmony.
Karishma had already trusted Sherni London with her bridal lehenga and Hemal's sherwani for their Hindu wedding ceremony - you can read about those here. For her third and final commission with us, she wanted something that felt like a natural continuation of her day - feminine, refined and entirely her own.
The answer was chikankari. A form of threadwork embroidery rooted in centuries of South Asian craft tradition, chikankari is understated in the most beautiful way - its depth and dimension reveal themselves gradually, rewarding those who look closely. It is a classic for a reason, and on a soft lilac ground it felt quietly breathtaking.
Karishma chose the design of the threadwork herself, and from there we set about creating, dyeing and stitching — a process that demands patience and skill at every stage.
The finishing touches were where the magic truly came together. Gold detailing was added to the neckline and hem of the blouse, and white pearls were placed along the waist for an added sense of elevation - delicate, considered details that lifted the overall look without overpowering it. Tassels on the sides of the lehenga added movement and a quietly playful finishing touch.
For her dupatta, Karishma chose a beautiful soft net with gold borders and sequinned motifs - light enough to dance in, elegant enough to complete the look perfectly.
The result was everything she had hoped for. Lilac, luminous and made entirely for her.
In her own words:
"The reception outfit was absolutely amazing! It was so lightweight and easy to dance in. I totally felt like a princess and got so many compliments. The colour was so pretty!"
On the day, the reaction said everything. Karishma told us:
"For the wedding day I absolutely loved my outfit. I got so many compliments from everyone saying I looked like a princess and they loved the gold and sparkles. Hemal's outfit was amazing too and totally complimented mine."
We were also trusted to create Karishma's reception outfit - a separate and equally special commission, which you can read about here.