Janhvi Kapoor’s butter-yellow Anjul Bhandari lehenga celebrates the timeless art of chikankari

Butter-yellow emerged as the new neutral on the runways of Chanel, Loewe, Tod’s, Miu Miu and Alaïa; a softer alternative to the classic primary, offering warmth without intensity. Janhvi Kapoor is offering a soft, couture twist on the easy-to-wear colour with an Anjul Bhandari lehenga. Steeped in artisanal crafts, her look is proof that pastel palettes can be as statement-making as jewel tones.

Kapoor wore the ensemble for her cousin Anshula Kapoor’s intimate engagement ceremony in Mumbai. Comprising a diaphanous skirt, wrap-style blouse and sheer dupatta, all spotlighting Lucknow’s iconic chikankari. A centuries-old embroidery technique, it continues to define Indian couture. Bhandari’s version celebrates it in its most intricate and tonal form: cream-on-butter threadwork blooming across the skirt in floral and jaali motifs. Believed to have been popularised under Mughal Empress Noor Jahan, chikankari traditionally uses white thread on fine muslin, with more than 30 types of stitches that span the range from bakhiya (shadow work) and phanda (knots) to murri (grain-like detailing). Each pattern is hand-drawn, then delicately embroidered, often taking artisans weeks or even months to complete.

The off-shoulder wrap blouse framed Kapoor’s neckline gracefully, its floral embroidery punctuated with pearls that lent subtle texture and sheen. Her jewellery, from Birdhichand Ghanshyamdas, featured a pearl-and-pastel gemstone set that echoed the buttery tones of the lehenga. A soft beauty look—dewy skin, pink eyeshadow and nude lips—kept the focus on the craftsmanship.

Elegant and featherlight despite its embellishment, Janhvi Kapoor’s butter-yellow chikankari lehenga stands out as a modern heirloom ideal for the kind of destination celebration where comfort and ease meet grandeur.