Victorian-era coins and Kanjeevaram saris: Inside the heirlooms worn by Bengaluru’s fashion-forward crowd

Some heirlooms come strung together—rubies, pearls or silver beads passed down through generations. Others are woven into fabric—faded saris and hand-embroidered dupattas that have outlived their original owners. But what makes an heirloom special isn’t just its beauty or age. It’s also how it holds time. Like old photographs, heirlooms can freeze a moment.

They become an archive of family histories, wedding days and memorable milestones. Like Arpita Mehta’s sari—a gift from her grandfather to his wife, her grandmother, on their first wedding anniversary. Over 60 years old, the piece doesn’t just carry heritage, it also carries a love story, wrapped in silk and memory. Or take Anvitha Rao’s necklace, where Victorian inscriptions on gold British guineas have been eroded by time and touch. The coins, dating back to 1805, were collected by her great-grandfather during his trading years across India and Australia. Worn now as jewellery, they’re a reminder of both legacy and love.

Leading up to the Vogue Wedding Atelier presented by HSBC, Rochelle Pinto, Head of Editorial Content at Vogue India, and Kulsum Shadab Wahab, social entrepreneur and philanthropist, cohosted an Editor’s High Tea at the Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru at Embassy ONE. Surrounded by Farmerr’s beautiful blooms, the best-dressed people in Bengaluru enjoyed an intimate evening of couture and conversation. They left with cherished memories, a full heart and sweet mementoes courtesy of Bombay Sweet Shop.

Below, Bengaluru’s most stylish tell Vogue India about their precious heirlooms.

All images: Israni Photography

Kulsum Wahab Shadab

“I love how it carries a story, and every thread has a history.”