Grooming in Couture: Aisha Rao’s Men’s Sherwanis & Bandhgalas
Wedding archives in most Indian families begin with women’s garments: a lehenga carefully wrapped in muslin, a dupatta that still holds the memory of a pherā night, a blouse stitched by a karigar whose name no one forgot. These pieces survive decades not merely because they are beautiful, but because they were built with the intention to endure. What rarely enters that archive is the groom’s attire. Not out of absence, but out of oversight.
Men’s wedding wear, over time, has been treated as a formality, a necessity photographed, admired briefly, and then folded away without a future. And that is precisely the gap couture must answer for.
At Aisha Rao, we approach menswear with the belief that a groom’s ensemble should have the same archival ambition as any storied bridal garment. A sherwani or bandhgala can, and should, hold narrative weight. It should carry technique, memory, and the unmistakable clarity of a piece designed for legacy, not logistics.
When we construct menswear, we treat it as a cultural document: raw silk that records light, tissue that ages with a soft metallic patina, appliqué that becomes more intricate with time rather than less. These aren’t garments built for a single celebration; they’re built with the consciousness of what they become after the celebration ends.
This is the version of menswear that deserves to be spoken of across generations, not as a forgotten ensemble from a single night, but as heirloom couture in its own right. And that is where our sherwanis and bandhgalas begin their story.
The Bandhgala 
When a bandhgala enters a room, it carries a certain discipline. The close neckline, the structured silhouette, and the simplicity of line are all foundations that demand technical confidence. At our atelier, the Edran Blue Pearl Banarasi Tissue Bandhgala is a study in controlled luminosity.
Banarasi tissue, when handled without intention, can overwhelm. Here, it has been tempered: the blue-pearl shade calibrated to achieve a soft metallic shimmer that doesn’t perform, but resonates. It’s the kind of couture piece that looks lit from within, not embellished from outside.
The Orion Pastel Ivory Raw Silk Bandhgala, on the other hand, carries a different philosophy. Raw silk behaves like memory; it absorbs movement, holds structure and ages beautifully.
Orion’s pastel-ivory tone is purposeful, avoiding the predictability of “wedding ivory” in favour of a shade that feels sculpted rather than flat. It’s a bandhgala that thrives on restraint, built for the man who understands that quiet doesn’t mean plain.
A bandhgala receives its power from precision. Every curve of the shoulder, every placement of stitch, every button that anchors the front panel contributes to its integrity. When crafted with intention, it becomes one of the most dignified garments in menswear.
The Sherwani
A sherwani is, by nature, ceremonial. But to treat it as merely ceremonial is to underestimate its potential. In our ateliers, a sherwani is built with the patience we reserve for pieces meant to outlive their moment—garments created to be examined, preserved, and eventually inherited.
Speaking of which, our Loveleaf Light Gold Tissue Sherwani carries the radiance that comes not from shine but from balance. Tissue silk in light gold can easily tilt excessively; here, the colour is controlled to achieve a glow rather than a glitter. The surface detailing is delicate, allowing the fabric’s natural luminosity to lead the conversation.
The Lavreux Ivory Hydrangea Blue Raw Silk Sherwani introduces colour in a way rarely seen in menswear. Hydrangea blue appears like an on-purpose mismatched interruption against ivory, neither contrasting nor blending, but simply asserting itself. It’s a sherwani for a groom who understands that colour can be dignified without being subtle.
The Zohar Ivory Pastel Raw Silk Sherwani pursues softness with intention. Pastels in menswear can risk appearing simplistic; Zohar avoids that entirely by allowing the raw silk’s texture to speak first. The pastel tones become undertones, lending depth instead of decoration.
While the Fougere Ivory Appliqué Raw Silk Sherwani is the most explicit expression of craft. Appliqué work, when done at this scale, requires patience, discipline, and absolute confidence in the artisan’s hand. Fougere is stitched to age well, the kind of piece that develops character as the years settle into its seams.
A sherwani, when treated with this kind of attention, becomes more than attire. It makes the intention visible.
The Aisha Rao Groom
Menswear at Aisha Rao has never been imagined as companion dressing. Our men's kurtas and sets, consistently among our bestsellers, prove that men gravitate toward pieces with personality when the craft is clear. The sherwanis and bandhgalas operate on the same principle, but at a heightened scale.
The Aisha Rao groom is not defined by extravagance.
He is defined by clarity. He chooses garments with structure, surfaces with intention, and colours that articulate rather than decorate. He understands that what he wears on his wedding day becomes a part of his archive… not because of photographs, but because the garment carries a lineage of its own.
When menswear is treated with the seriousness of craft, it becomes worthy of inheritance. And when it is treated with vision, it becomes worthy of memory.
Couture, after all, is not made for just a mere moment. It is made for memory. Elevate your wedding archive with menswear that’s designed to endure. Explore the full range of Aisha Rao sherwanis, bandhgalas and best-selling kurta sets—couture crafted to become tomorrow’s heirlooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Aisha Rao’s sherwanis unique?
Aisha Rao sherwanis stand out for their couture-level craftsmanship, raw silk bases, tissue fabrics, signature surface work, and hand-appliqué techniques that give each piece archival longevity.
Which bandhgala should a groom choose for an evening wedding?
For evening weddings, the Edran Blue Pearl Banarasi Tissue Bandhgala is an ideal choice. It's controlled metallic shimmer photographs beautifully under warm lighting without appearing flashy.
Is the Lavreux Ivory Hydrangea blue Sherwani suitable for daytime ceremonies?
Yes. The Lavreux’s ivory raw silk foundation, paired with hydrangea blue detailing, makes it perfect for daytime weddings.
How does the Fougere Ivory Appliqué Sherwani differ from the Zohar Pastel Sherwani?
Fougere focuses on artisanal appliqué that adds dimensional texture, while Zohar uses pastel-toned raw silk for a softer, cleaner silhouette. One is craft-forward; the other is minimal couture.
Are Aisha Rao bandhgalas meant to be worn beyond weddings?
Absolutely. Both the Orion Pastel Ivory Raw Silk Bandhgala and Edran Blue Pearl Bandhgala are designed for versatility, as they transition seamlessly to receptions, formal dinners, festive occasions, and more.