The Art of Festive Season Styling with Ishita Mangal

The Art of Festive Season Styling with Ishita Mangal

A Diamond Is Forever celebrates India’s modern festive spirit through timeless style and self-expression

New Delhi, 17 September 2025: It’s that magical time of year again with homes aglow with diyas, the air scented with marigolds and laughter echoing from one festive gathering to the next. But as the celebrations begin, one question stands out: what will you wear this season?

This year, A Diamond Is Forever — the new digital platform celebrating timeless beauty and modern individuality — partners with fashion designer and content creator Ishita Mangal to decode 2025’s festive style. Using social media data to uncover what India is really wearing now, Ishita has styled two full looks according to what trends have endured over the past five years and what trends are emerging in 2025.

“Festive fashion today is about finding that sweet spot between nostalgia and novelty,” Ishita, who boasts almost 2 million followers across her social platforms, shares. “It’s less about following trends and more about wearing your story with confidence.”

“This festive season, style isn’t about choosing between tradition and modernity, it’s about celebrating both,” says Nishita Fiji, Editor at A Diamond Is Forever. “Ishita captures the spirit of today’s generation: confident, expressive, and deeply connected to cultural roots.”

Decoding 2025’s Festive Fashion Trends

Diwali Dressing: Maximalist or Minimalist?

Gold and metallic tones continue to dominate Diwali wardrobes — searches for “gold dress” and “sequin outfit” have spiked 2–3× every October–November since 2020, while smoky and cat-eye makeup looks are up 50% YoY for five years running. Velvet blouses, meanwhile, have seen 2× higher search interest each festive season since 2022.

At the same time, new trends are reshaping the sparkle. Searches for “recycled fabric Diwali outfits” have surged 80% over the past two years, and “crop top saree” queries are up 120% YoY, led by Instagram Reels.

“Diwali fashion has always been about drama and light,” Ishita says. “Now, people want that impact — but with intention. A mix of statement pieces and sustainability.”

Her first look embodies classic glamour: a shimmering gold-sequined saree, layered with gold and diamond necklaces. The second, a red brocade ensemble, channels conscious opulence through recycled fabrics and dramatic makeup — “proof,” Ishita laughs, “that maximalism can be mindful.”

Navratri Styling: The Gen Z Way

Chaniya cholis continue their reign, with styling searches up 20–25% YoY every September, while “oxidised silver earrings” record 2–3× spikes in Gujarat and Maharashtra. But younger audiences are giving tradition a remix. “Sneakers with lehenga” searches are up 90% YoY, and “neon makeup palettes” are up 150%, reflecting how Gen Z is fusing comfort with creativity.

“Navratri is where tradition gets playful,” Ishita shares. “It’s colourful, expressive, and totally individual — from mirrorwork sets to kamarbandhs paired with sneakers.”
Her first look embraces the vibrancy of Gujarat’s Garba culture: rich patchwork, mirrorwork, and oxidised silver jewellery. Her second channels the mix-and-match fusion movement: a vibrant chaniya choli worn with sneakers and a statement kamarbandh, the traditional waist accessory making a major comeback this year.

Karva Chauth: The Power of Red, Reinvented

Some things never fade. Every October, searches for “red saree” and “Karva Chauth outfit” rise 3–4×, while “Karva Chauth mehendi” and “gold mangalsutra” remain among India’s top festive queries.

But new interpretations are emerging fast — “Karva Chauth gowns” are up 110% YoY, and “bracelet-style mangalsutras” have risen 70% in 18 months, signalling a shift toward modern minimalism.

“There’s something deeply emotional about red — it’s timeless,” Ishita reflects. “But women are reimagining it. The red lehenga and the diamond mangalsutra now coexist — both symbols of celebration, both full of meaning.”

Her first look celebrates the classic: a red lehenga with gold embroidery and Kundan pearls. The second offers a contemporary twist — a crimson gown with a diamond-accented mangalsutra, soft makeup, and clean sindoor line — for a look that’s as rooted as it is refined.

The Future of Festive Fashion

Across festivals, one theme stands out: India’s growing love for blending old and new. Enduring styles such as sequins, silks, and red lehengas remain beloved, but sustainable fabrics, minimal diamonds, and fusion silhouettes are redefining how people express festive joy.

“Fashion is no longer about following a trend,” Ishita says. “It’s about creating one that feels true to you.”

Explore the full campaign and all six festive looks at here.