Kajol’s monochrome Torani sari captures the new mood of vintage revival

Styled by Radhika Mehra for an editorial shoot, Kajol wears a black and white printed sari by Torani, paired with a statement oxidised choker by Tribe Amrapali. It’s a look that reflects a growing shift in Indian fashion—where the past isn’t referenced for nostalgia, but for depth.

The sari’s georgette and butterfly net base carries hand-illustrated floral and bird motifs in inky black, printed on ivory and framed by chevron borders, stripes and polka dots. A fine line of embroidery lends the drape just enough sparkle. The blouse, mostly concealed, reveals lace-detailed straps and a soft sweetheart neckline—structured enough to shape the silhouette, subtle enough not to compete with the print.

Designers across the board are returning to narrative-led prints. From Valentino’s oversized florals to House of Masaba’s maximalist canvases, designers are returning to narrative-driven motifs and textile storytelling. Torani’s visual world is shaped by personal memory and cultural reference—Mughal-era botanical drawings, domestic objects, lived textures. His saris often feel like fragments from a dream, dyed in palettes that reference sun, smoke, foam or clay.

Here, the black-and-white palette draws attention to the simplicity of the form as much as the emotion within it. The print feels archival, like something pulled from old family albums or noir-era Indian cinema. The oxidised choker adds weight and edge, breaking the monotone without disrupting the mood. The beauty look is kept minimal: Kajol’s hair tied back in an easy bun, tendrils left loose, skin luminous but not loud.