Ten years on, Punit Balana reflects on craft, colour, and the brides of 2025

One of the many things that makes Punit Balana's designs stand out is how they bridge heritage with wearability. His collections often carry echoes of Jaipur’s architecture and crafts, yet are distilled into silhouettes that feel effortless for the modern bride. Whether it’s reinterpreting chandi tille ka kaam in a lighter, contemporary form, or giving traditional lehengas a playful, fuss-free spin, Balana has built a language that is rooted in craft but designed for ease. And now, as he celebrates 10 years of his label, the designer looks back on how far his vision has come, from experimental beginnings to a defined identity that continues to evolve with the brides of today.

In conversation with Brides Today, the designer reflects on his journey, his new collection AMER, the colours shaping bridal fashion, and why ease has become central to the modern wedding wardrobe.

Brides Today: Looking back at a decade of your label, how would you describe the evolution of Punit Balana’s design language from 2015 to today?

Punit Balana: A lot has changed since 2015. Back then, the brand was just launched and very new, but now, a decade later, I can see so much evolution not just in the brand, but in my own approach to fashion. I take it far more seriously now. Over the years, our silhouettes, techniques, and colour choices at Punit Balana have all evolved. Even the way I plan my runways right from the music, choreography, and jewellery, every detail has become more refined and thoughtful. It’s been a journey of constant growth.

BT: Your new collection ‘AMER’ takes inspiration from Jaipur’s Amer Fort and its intricate craftsmanship. What was your process of translating such architectural grandeur into wearable ensembles?

PB: For me, AMER was about reimagining the fort’s beauty into something intimate and personal. The arches, frescoes, and carved details became motifs, textures, and surface treatments across the collection. Instead of recreating architecture literally, we translated its spirit—the sense of majesty and history into fluid silhouettes and modern festive wear. It’s about wearing a piece of Jaipur’s legacy in a way that feels effortless today.

BT: You’ve often highlighted your love for traditional techniques like chandi tille ka kaam and gota patti. How do you strike the balance between preserving these age-old crafts and making them feel contemporary for brides today?

PB: Craft has always been at the heart of what I do, but the challenge lies in keeping it relevant for today’s bride. If these techniques aren’t adapted to changing times, they run the risk of becoming obsolete, and that would mean losing an important part of our cultural heritage. By pairing crafts like chandi tille ka kaam, gota patti, and other artisanal traditions with lighter fabrics, minimal embroideries, and versatile cuts, the pieces feel rooted yet modern. The idea is to honour the soul of the craft while presenting it in a way that speaks to the bride’s need for ease, comfort, and individuality.

BT: Your collections have always been known for their strong colour stories. How did you decide on reviving archival shades like ‘Surkh Laal’ and ‘Gulaabi Gulaal’ for AMER, and what do you think brides are gravitating towards colour-wise in 2025?

PB: For every season and every collection I work on, colours play a very important role. With AMER, which draws inspiration from my decade-long journey in the industry, I felt it was essential to revisit shades that have become synonymous with the brand. For this collection, we’ve brought back colours like Surkhlal, Dry Heena, and Gulabi Gulal from our Utsav line. What I love about these shades is that they’re timeless, evergreen Indian colours that never go out of style. No matter when you buy them, you can always pull them out of your wardrobe, style them differently, and they’ll feel as fresh as the day you first wore them. 

When it comes to brides in 2025, I see them gravitating towards richer, bolder Indian colours that feel festive yet timeless. They’re moving beyond pastels and looking for shades that truly stand out across different occasions, from mehendi and sangeet to post-wedding celebrations.

BT: The new flagship store at Barwara House feels deeply tied to the city’s heritage. How important is the physical retail experience for you, especially in an era where bridal fashion is also thriving online?

PB: I’ve always believed that a flagship store goes beyond being a retail destination; it becomes a canvas to tell the brand’s story. In Jaipur, it was important for us to create a space that feels immersive, where the city’s heritage meets our design language. While the digital world has opened incredible avenues for bridal fashion, physical retail brings a different dimension. It allows people to see and touch the craftsmanship, to notice the nuances of detail, and to feel an emotional connection with the garment and the story behind it.

BT: If you had to define the Punit Balana bride of today in three words, what would they be?

PB: For me, the Punit Balana bride today is modern, spirited, yet rooted in tradition.

BT: In terms of bridal and festive wear, what trends do you see shaping the upcoming wedding season—whether it’s silhouettes, fabrics, or styling choices?

PB: This wedding season, I’ve noticed a clear shift in what brides are looking for. When they visit our stores, many of them want more playful, youthful, fuss-free silhouettes and outfits they can truly enjoy themselves in. They’re moving away from super-heavy, embellished lehengas. That’s why we’ve introduced techniques like our signature chandi tila ka kaam, which looks grand yet feels light.

For grooms, the change is equally exciting. They’ve become far more experimental, not just with silhouettes, but also with colours. It’s no longer only about beige and blue. Today’s grooms are open to exploring pinks, reds, purples, even greens, and they’re embracing that vibrancy with confidence.

All images: The brand

Also read: Bridal couture reigned supreme at FDCI Hyundai India Couture Week 2025

Also read: The traditional wear edit for grooms who like to dress to impress