Fashion, like memory, always circles back—and this wedding season, it’s velvet and brocade that are stepping into the spotlight once again. Regal, indulgent, and unapologetically dramatic, these heritage fabrics are rewriting the rules of bridal and festive fashion in 2025. From couture runways to sangeet dance floors, velvet and brocade are the twin forces bringing back the romance of opulence.
Velvet: The Drama of Drape
There’s nothing quite like velvet when it comes to creating a mood. Its plush texture catches light differently with every movement—making lehengas, anarkalis, and even tailored sherwanis look richer, deeper, and more mysterious. Designers are leaning into jewel tones—emerald, sapphire, wine, and onyx—draped in fluid silhouettes that are as modern as they are majestic. The new-age velvet bride isn’t weighed down; she’s empowered, commanding the room with every swirl of her lehenga.
How to rewear it: A velvet blouse paired with high-waist trousers for an after-party look, or a velvet dupatta thrown over a simple kurta to elevate daytime dressing.
Brocade: Woven Royalty
Brocade has always been a whisper of royalty, but this season, it’s louder, bolder, and more versatile. Rich zari weaves in metallic golds and silvers are being reinterpreted in structured jackets, cropped blouses, and even palazzo sets. For brides, brocade lehengas paired with minimalist jewellery strike the perfect balance between grandeur and modern restraint. For grooms, brocade bandhgalas and stoles add just the right touch of regality.
How to rewear it: Think brocade skirts styled with crisp white shirts, or brocade jackets layered over denim—a clever blend of occasion wear and everyday chic.
The Wedding Aesthetic of 2025
This year, wedding fashion is all about mindful indulgence. Velvet and brocade don’t just look grand; they last. These fabrics are investment pieces—designed to move from mandap to modern wardrobes. Instead of one-time opulence, they’re creating multi-seasonal relevance: your wedding lehenga becomes an anniversary outfit, your brocade dupatta transforms into a cocktail sari accent.
Experts Weigh In
Devangi Nishar Parekh, Managing Director, Aza Fashions & Founder, Araiya by Aza says
As we step into the upcoming wedding season, two timeless fabrics are making a powerful comeback—velvet and brocade. Both exude an innate richness that feels perfectly suited for Indian celebrations. Velvet, with its plush texture, lends depth and drama to silhouettes, whether in opulent lehengas, regal sherwanis, or statement kurta sets. Brocade, on the other hand, brings with it centuries of heritage craftsmanship, woven with intricate motifs and metallic threads that instantly elevate any look. At Aza, we are seeing designers reimagine these fabrics in modern, lightweight forms that balance tradition with ease of wear. From jewel-toned velvets to contemporary brocade saris, these fabrics embody the grandeur of festivities while feeling relevant to today’s bride and groom.
Chandan Allen, Fashion Designer and founder of The Mola, The Sancy and Melange
The Indian wedding scene is witnessing a magnificent renaissance of two timeless fabrics that once graced the wardrobes of royalty. Velvet and brocade, with their inherent grandeur and sophisticated appeal, are making a triumphant comeback this wedding season, promising to elevate bridal and ceremonial fashion to new heights of elegance. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, both velvet and brocade align with the growing trend toward investment pieces in wedding fashion. These durable, timeless fabrics create garments that can be treasured and potentially passed down through generations, making them both emotionally and economically valuable choices for special occasions.
The return of velvet and brocade represents more than just a fashion trend – it’s a celebration of India’s textile heritage reimagined for contemporary celebrations.
Why They Matter Now
Amid a sea of minimalism, velvet and brocade offer a reminder that weddings are about spectacle, storytelling, and celebrating heritage. They embody the drama India does best—without apology, without restraint. In 2025, brides and grooms aren’t shying away from maximalism; they’re owning it, reinterpreting it, and most importantly—rewearing it.
Because sometimes, fashion isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about returning to fabrics that never really left, just waited for the right moment to shine again.
