Everyone remembers the photos. Those grainy, long-lens shots from Lake Como that eventually turned into the high-def Instagram posts that broke the Indian internet in November 2018. Deepika Padukone, looking like a literal goddess, draped in a rich, red-gold Kanjeevaram.
If you ask the average person who designed the Deepika Padukone wedding saree, they’ll probably say Sabyasachi. It’s a fair guess. After all, Sabyasachi Mukherjee is the king of Bollywood weddings. He dressed her for the Sindhi ceremony, the Mehendi, and the airport runs. But here is where the story gets a little messy—and a lot more interesting.
The saree she wore for the Konkani wedding ceremony wasn't actually a Sabyasachi creation. Not really.
The Mix-up that Shook Fashion Instagram
Honest to God, the fashion world nearly had a meltdown over a caption. When the first photos dropped, the Sabyasachi official account posted them with a caption claiming Deepika was dressed "head-to-toe" in his label.
People bought it. Why wouldn't they?
But a few hours later, Shefalee Vasudev, a heavyweight fashion journalist, dropped a bit of a truth bomb. She revealed that the actual soul of the outfit—the silk saree itself—came from a heritage store in Bengaluru called Angadi Galleria. Specifically, it was from their in-house label, Advaya, designed by K. Radharaman.
Sabyasachi, to his credit, didn't make a fuss. He quickly updated the credits, explaining that the saree was actually a gift from Deepika’s mother, Ujjala Padukone. In Konkani tradition, the mother of the bride buys the wedding outfit. Mrs. Padukone did exactly that, walking into a local store her family had frequented for years and picking something off the shelf.
What Made This Saree So Special?
It wasn't just "some red saree." If you look closely at the weave, there’s a recurring motif that looks like a bird. That is the Gandaberunda.
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It’s a mythical two-headed bird. It’s also the royal emblem of Karnataka, Deepika’s home state.
Basically, the saree was a tribute to her roots. Radharaman, the designer at Angadi, explained later that this wasn't a custom-ordered piece for a celebrity. It was part of a limited-edition collection. It’s a pure gold zari Kanjeevaram brocade.
When you see it in high-res, the depth of the red is insane. It’s not a flat crimson; it has this burnt orange, almost glowing quality because of the real gold threads woven into the silk.
- The Material: Pure silk with real gold zari (no, not the "tested" or plastic stuff).
- The Motif: The Gandaberunda, symbolizing strength and prosperity.
- The Time: It took about 45 days just to weave the fabric.
- The Price: While the store never officially disclosed it, similar heirlooms from the Advaya line can run anywhere from ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh.
Sabyasachi’s Actual Role
So, what did Sabya do?
He styled it. He added the heavy, hand-embroidered veil (the dupatta) and the jewelry. This is actually a pretty common practice for high-profile brides. They might have an heirloom or a traditional piece they must wear, and they hire a top-tier designer to make it "editorial ready."
He essentially took a masterpiece of South Indian weaving and gave it that North Indian, royal Sabyasachi aesthetic. He added the Guttapusalu necklaces and the Matha Patti, creating a bridge between the two cultures being celebrated.
That Other Saree (The Bengaluru Reception)
If you thought the wedding drama was enough, let’s talk about the Bengaluru reception.
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Deepika walked out in a solid gold silk saree that looked like liquid metal. Again, everyone assumed it was Sabyasachi. Again, it was actually from The House of Angadi.
This one was a tissue silk Kanjeevaram. It took even longer to make—roughly 60 days. The styling here was much sharper. A white blouse, a massive emerald choker, and her hair pulled back in a tight bun with a mountain of gajra (jasmine flowers).
Honestly, I think this look was actually more impactful than the wedding one. It was bold. It didn't rely on embroidery or "bling." It was just the sheer quality of the textile doing the heavy lifting.
Why This Matters for Brides Today
We’ve seen a massive shift in how people shop for weddings after this. For a while, everyone just wanted the "designer label." If it didn't have the famous tag, it wasn't cool.
Deepika proved that you can—and maybe should—go back to heritage weavers.
She sparked a massive revival in interest for Kanjeevarams. Suddenly, it wasn't just "the saree your grandma wears." It became the ultimate status symbol.
But it also raised a lot of questions about credit in the fashion industry. Does a designer deserve 100% of the credit if they only "styled" a garment made by someone else? It was a wake-up call for everyone to start looking at the people behind the looms, not just the names on the billboard.
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Common Misconceptions About the Look
- "It was custom made for her." Actually, no. It was a store-bought piece from a limited collection. She and her mom basically went shopping like regular people (well, very rich regular people).
- "The veil was part of the saree." The veil was a separate Sabyasachi creation added later to give it more "drama" for the photos.
- "It's just a red saree." Most red sarees use copper or silver zari with gold plating. This was "Real Zari," which is why it hasn't tarnished or lost its shine years later.
How to Get the Look Without the Celeb Budget
You probably don't have a few lakhs lying around for a single saree. That's fine.
If you’re looking to channel that Deepika Padukone wedding saree vibe, focus on the textile. Look for "Korvai" weaving, where the border and the body are woven separately and then joined. It gives that distinct, crisp look she had.
Search for the Gandaberunda motif if you want the exact symbolism. Many weavers in Kanchipuram and Bengaluru have started recreating it because of her.
And don't be afraid to mix and match. Buy a high-quality traditional saree from a heritage weaver, and then spend your money on a killer designer blouse or a statement veil. That’s the real secret to how she pulled it off.
Practical Steps for Your Own Wedding Shopping
If you're heading to Bengaluru or Kanchipuram to find something similar, keep these things in mind:
- Check the Zari: Ask for a "silk mark" and a "zari test." Real gold and silver zari will have a weight to it that the fake stuff doesn't.
- Motif Matters: Don't just pick a random bird. Understand the meaning. The Gandaberunda is specific to Karnataka heritage. If you're from a different region, find a motif that represents your story.
- The Drape: Kanjeevarams are heavy. If you aren't used to wearing 2kg of silk, practice the drape beforehand or hire a professional. Deepika's drape was impeccable—not a single pleat was out of place.
- Lighting is Key: Remember that gold tissue (like her reception saree) looks very different under yellow hall lights versus natural sunlight. Always check the fabric near a window before you swipe your card.
At the end of the day, the controversy over who designed what doesn't change the fact that she looked incredible. It just reminds us that sometimes, the best fashion isn't found on a runway in Milan or Mumbai, but in a small, 600-year-old family weaving tradition in South India.
To recreate the look accurately, focus on sourcing a "Real Zari Kanjeevaram" from a reputable heritage weaver rather than searching for a mass-produced replica. Focus on a high-contrast palette—either deep, blood red with heavy gold or a solid metallic gold tissue—and pair it with a contrast-colored choker to break the monochrome.