The cover shoot features the newest sensation Charithra Chandran wearing Manish Malhotra’s latest collection shot in the iconic Lanesborough Hotel in London
Condé Nast Traveller’s annual supplement the Destination Wedding Guide stars British-Indian actress Charithra Chandran, featured for the first time on an Indian magazine cover.
Seen donning timeless creations from Manish Malhotra’s exquisite Mijwan collection along with jewels from Cartier, Boucheron, Dior Joaillerie and other top International fine jewellery brands, the shoot was set in one of London’s most glamorous hotels, the Lanesborough Hotel in Knightsbridge.
The 5-star hotel which overlooks London’s Hyde Park served as the perfect backdrop for the shoot, with wedding planner extraordinaire Vandana Mohan having transformed the spaces into a fairytale wedding set, with hundreds of English summer flowers.
Charithra Chandran looked like an absolute vision as the quintessential modern Indian bride with minimalist jewellery and signature glamorous traditional wear with its detailed Chikankari craftsmanship.
A cultural amalgamation between the traditional Indian wedding lehenga and the wedding dress is evident, as though East meets West. She was styled by Nikhil Mansata.
Now in its fifth year, CNT’s Destination Wedding Guide has come to be a bible for couples looking to make their dream destination weddings come to life. It showcases the latest trends, hottest new destinations and more ideas to inspire you for your special day.
It also features a wealth of first-hand experience from real couples who have recently taken the plunge and their recommendations on everything from planners to decorators and catering to photographers.
After two years of subdued, intimate weddings, people are ready to let down their hair and celebrate their new beginnings in a grand fashion with detailed touches. The Big Fat Indian Wedding has become even more fabulous.
There’s palatial venues, exotic locales, more creative functions and an extraordinary attention to detail that permeate destination weddings.
Personalisation is the trend that has shone brightest, and DWG provides a complete guide to it. From a bride transforming the traditional “phoolon ki chadar” into a work of art by embroidering it with messages from her family, to a foodie groom who flew in two of his favourite international chefs from across the globe to prepare the wedding feasts, the Indian wedding has become grander than ever.
Other features look at the return of Europe as the destination of choice for lavish weddings, and at the rising number of ‘non-traditional’ family units. The Destination Wedding Guide plays the perfect rulebook to make your dreams turn into reality.
Divia Thani, global editorial director of Conde Nast Traveller said: “It hasn’t just been the summer of revenge travel; it’s also been the year of the revenge wedding: The Big Fat Indian Wedding has become even more fabulous.
And who better to showcase the modern bride, one who occupies different worlds with confidence, who wants to ensure that her wedding embodies her unique personality and spirit, than Bridgerton’s Charithra Chandra? She made waves for her portrayal of Edwina Sharma, and breaking out as a British Asian actress on a hit Netflix show.
Moreover, she was a complete delight to work with, walking through Hyde Park in 40 degree heat, looking like a dreamy vision in white!
She wore Manish Malhotra so beautifully and easily, and I love how the fine jewellery played off it so beautifully. The Indian bride has truly evolved–she’s so unafraid and unshackled by tradition; she knows just how to make traditions her own. Our Destination Wedding Guide 2022 is full of great, inspiring stories!”
“This year we have carefully created and curated ensembles that check all the boxes for statement-making prowess. The amalgam of Khaab and the Mijwan couture collection, 2022, mirrors the twenty-first century Bridgerton bride with Charithra Chandran conforming the looks so effortlessly. She has the charm, the grace, and the undeniable beauty to pull every look with so much confidence. Be it our floor-grazing embroidered jacket with a pearl beaded Chikankari sharara set, encrusted beaded gown for the perfect white wedding, sequin swathed ensembles with corsets, or our very signature Chikankari bridal Lehenga, Charithra stunned in every attire with unparalleled elegance for the cover shoot of Condé Nast Traveller’s Destination Wedding Guide in London. How many ever horizons, distances, and perimeters may have broadened, we strive to blur the geographical borders to continue promoting the best of craft that India has to offer globally through our creative endeavours.”
Manish Malhotra said,
What was the response to your role in Bridgerton? Both globally and also in India?
Of course I hope that people enjoyed the show and my performance. But more importantly, I hope that young, brown women felt seen and heard. That they’re deserving of love, romance and that they’re allowed to be complex, imperfect beings. Globally, I think it exposed more people to Indian culture and helped show that South Asian stories and characters are popular ones. In India, I hope we did our people proud on a world stage.
What’s your relationship with India?
I think of it as home as that’s where my family’s from. I’m so proud to be Indian, in fact I think it’s a privilege I was born into such a rich and beautiful culture. I try to keep up to date with what’s happening and songs and films as much as possible—although I have not been as good at it in the past few years.
Tell us about your travel style and what’s on your bucket list?
I’m very much an ‘explore’ person when I’m travelling. Which is why hotels matter much less to me because I literally only use them to sleep and wash. I love being outside, embracing an area and getting lost in it. This also means I pack light—a capsule travel wardrobe is key. I really want to go to South America. I would love to spend a solid six months travelling from the north of the continent to the south. But I do want to learn a basic level of Spanish before I go.
What are you working on now and would you ever consider Bollywood?
