Natasha Poonawalla has once again made a strong case for maximalist fashion with a spectacular archival Versace ensemble that combined Indian textiles, Italian craftsmanship and some of the most coveted accessories in luxury fashion. Rhea Kapoor designed this look and it was a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship and unapologetic glamour - fashion can be historic and yet very contemporary at once.
Natasha Poonawalla has become famous for her bold and daring take on luxury dressing, and her statement-making silhouettes and old-world fashion with the use of local products. Fashion is much more than just fashion; she is the best way to bring India’s textiles, jewellery and artisanal work to the world, and for her last presentation, she had to show it.
So far, Rhea Kapoor has posted a series of pictures of Natasha in the very pretty ensemble on Instagram. The stylist also opened up the window into the history and craftsmanship of every piece of clothing for the outfit, so that it’s not just the fashion fan who gets an amazing look at the clothes’ history and the workmanship behind it too, but also for fashion lovers and collectors.
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At the center of the ensemble was a bespoke Versace creation from the brand’s Fall 2002 collection. According to Rhea Kapoor, the outfit was a version of Look 3 from the Atelier Versace runway and was made with Banarasi brocade. The design perfectly integrated an Indian textile tradition with the craftsmanship and visual language of the Italian luxury house.
Banarasi brocade made the outfit distinctly Indian, while Versace’s laid-back style and maximalism is a signature of the glamour. Rather than relegating Indian textiles to a passing phase, the production made Banarasi craftsmanship part of global luxury fashion.
The accessories made the look even more extraordinary. Natasha wore a collector's Dior Saddle bag from the French maison's 10th anniversary collection. Dubbed the “Gota Patti Saddle Bag,” the limited production piece was reinterpreted by John Galliano during his time as creative director and combined Dior's classic Saddle silhouette and traditional Indian craftsmanship.
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The bag was a striking rani pink color and was decorated with gota patti, zardozi work and a nath-inspired embellishment. Its intricate detailing complemented the richness of the Banarasi outfit while adding another layer of Indian craftsmanship to the international designer look.
Natasha went further with jewellery from her own collection. Rhea told me she wore a Bvlgari necklace with emeralds, cultured pearls and diamonds. The combination of gemstones and pearls added some sophistication to an otherwise exuberant outfit but didn’t take away from its maximalist approach.
The jewellery story continued with earrings from Rare Heritage and a Victorian bee brooch by Amrapali Jaipur. The bee brooch added a vintage-inspired element to the ensemble and the use of Indian jewellery houses reinforced the look’s focus on heritage craftsmanship.
The outfit was also completed with polki and jadau buttons from Birdhichand Ghanshyamdas. Those small details may have been subtle, but they added meaning and depth to the ensemble. Natasha finished with a polki ring from Prabhu Dayal Sons to highlight the rich jewellery story.
Rhea Kapoor’s styling shows how archival fashion can be reimagined in a distinctly Indian style. Fashion history, collectible accessories, traditional textiles and heirloom-style jewellery were not only the focus but were integrated into the look instead of being very present day. Each element was considered and told in a seamless visual story and not just layers of luxury things together.
For Natasha Poonawalla, maximalism has always been part of her fashion vocabulary. But this particular look was especially special because of the history and craftsmanship that it was based on. And from the Versace creation of 2002 and the archival Dior Saddle bag to Banarasi brocade, polki, jadau and zardozi details, the ensemble brought the intersection of Indian heritage and global luxury fashion to life.
The result was a fashion moment that felt opulent, nostalgic and thoroughly modern at the same time. Natasha Poonawalla’s archival Versace look shows that when heritage craftsmanship and high fashion are paired thoughtfully, maximalism can be much more than an aesthetic—it could tell a story about culture, artistry and the enduring appeal of fashion history.
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