Sonam Kapoor Ahuja shines vibrant Giambattista Valli ensemble, reviving the timeless voluminous gown trend

Sonam Kapoor Ahuja set a significant trend at the London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2021 with her voluminous gown, which quickly captivated the fashion world. Esteemed designers like Simone Rocha, Roksanda, and Osman showcased their innovative takes on incorporating exaggerated volumes into their designs. Fast forward to 2023, where Sonam Kapoor Ahuja graced the Forces of Fashion event hosted by Vogue India, joining influential figures like Anita Dongre, Masaba Gupta, and Vogue India’s Head of Editorial Content, Rochelle Pinto on stage.The event celebrated the industry’s top talents, and Sonam’s ensemble, a vibrant orange co-ord set meticulously crafted by Giambattista Valli, featured a top and a skirt with ballooning silhouettes.

Valli’s fondness for voluminous gowns traces back to the 2012 Paris Haute Couture Show, where he showcased an array of designs embracing volume, peplums, and full skirts in solid colors and floral patterns. Sonam Kapoor Ahuja’s ensemble refreshed this timeless trend, sparking conversations throughout the night. The dress’s sleeves formed a bow delicately embracing Kapoor’s shoulders. Bows, in all their forms, have been consistent fashion statements—from dainty hair accessories to Alexis Mabille’s bold creations at the PFW Haute Couture Show, Spring/Summer 2022. Giambattista Valli’s fascination with bows was evident in his Paris Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2022-2023 collection, where dresses with bow accents in various sizes took center stage.

At the launch night of Jio World Plaza, Bhumi Pednekar graced the red carpet in a dress from Shadek Majed’s Autumn/Winter 2023-2024 couture collection. The ensemble featured a sheer lace top complemented by an oversized bow detail cascading into an off-shoulder accent. Priyanka Chopra Jonas stunned at the Met Gala 2023 in an icy blue gown crafted by Nina Ricci, exclusively fashioned from denim and uniquely featuring a prominent oversized bow.Reflecting on the voluminous gown trend, Indian celebrities have wholeheartedly embraced this style at various red carpets and events. Alia Bhatt made her Met Gala debut in 2023 wearing a Prabal Gurung couture ensemble reminiscent of the classic princess gown inspired by the final bridal look from Chanel’s Autumn-Winter 1992 Couture collection.

This iconic look was famously worn by Claudia Schiffer. Deepika Padukone opted for a stunning tulle gown from Giambattista Valli for her appearance at the 2019 Jio MAMI festival. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan drew admiration at Cannes 2019 in an ethereal ice blue Michael Cinco couture gown featuring an off-the-shoulder neckline and intricate leafy detailing.Since her debut at the Cannes Festival in 2014, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja has consistently championed voluminous gowns. Her style, whether from renowned designers like Valentino, Elie Saab, Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, or Giambattista Valli, predominantly features voluminous silhouettes in a spectrum of hues. Sonam Kapoor’s enduring dedication to voluminous gowns continues to shape fashion narratives, with her latest selection being a testament to her style evolution.