Rashmika Mandanna and Shakira recently showcased two elaborate fashion looks that together represent more than 850 hours of Indian couture craftsmanship. While Mandanna’s black gown took around 350 hours to create, Shakira’s Gaurav Gupta stage look reportedly required about 500 hours of work.
Mandanna wore the Anamika Khanna creation for her debut at Vogue World 2026 in Milan. The global fashion event took place at Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II on September 22, marking the actor’s first appearance at the spectacle.
The gown became a talking point even before the event, with Mandanna sharing glimpses of her preparations and fashion looks with followers. The reported 350-hour making process highlights the amount of detailed craftsmanship that can go into a couture garment, where construction, finishing and embellishment require considerable time.
Shakira’s look brought another Indian designer into the international spotlight. Created by Gaurav Gupta, the ensemble incorporated a distinctive “Banarasi skirt” element and reportedly took around 500 hours to complete. The design combined Gupta’s sculptural approach with references to Indian textile heritage.
Together, the two outfits represent more than a celebrity fashion moment. They also highlight how Indian designers and traditional textile references are increasingly being incorporated into high-profile international appearances.
The number of hours involved is particularly striking because couture is built around detailed craftsmanship rather than rapid production. From fabric preparation and construction to hand-finishing and intricate detailing, individual elements can require extensive manual work.
Mandanna and Shakira’s looks therefore offer a glimpse into the time and craftsmanship behind red-carpet and stage fashion, while placing Indian design, textiles and techniques at the centre of two major global fashion moments.