Her mother-in-law may take the credit of inducting her into the world of Saris. But, Sonia Gandhi’s sartorial sense has surely adapted to Indian sensibilities and has shown significant improvement from her bahu days.
It may be hard to believe that the well-dressed Congress Party President, mostly seen in elegant saris, actually hated Indian clothes. However, Indira Gandhi foresaw great things for her daughter-in-law and taught her to tackle the six-yard cloth when a photograph with Sonia in mini-skirts created a furore.Image: Sonia Gandhi greets a crowd during a public meeting in Hyderabad on February 28, 2009.
But Sonia Gandhi, at 62, the most powerful woman of the country and among the 100 most influential women in the world, has managed to create an exclusive six-yard style statement for herself.Image: Sonia Gandhi arrives to address a public rally at Kondal village in the Palwal district of Haryana.
Sonia’s sari trails began on her wedding day, when she got married to Rajiv Gandhi in 1968 in a simple non-denominational ceremony in the garden of 1, Safdarjang Road. Image: Sonia Gandhi pays tribute to her husband Rajiv Gandhi at his memorial on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of his death on May 21, 2004, in New Delhi.
The pink cotton sari that Sonia Gandhi wore for her wedding was a very special one. It was the made from cotton that Jawarharlal Nehru, Rajiv’s grandfather and India’s first prime minister, had spun when in jail. It was the same sari that Indira Gandhi too had worn for her wedding with Feroze Gandhi.Image: Sonia Gandhi walks over to supporters after being elected Congress Party leader on May 15, 2004 in New Delhi.
Sonia’s reported to have a penchant for ‘Paithani’ saris, and white cotton kurta sets, which has become her signature style.Image: Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi waves to supporters during an election rally in Jaipur on February 3, 2009.
A lady with minimum make-up, Sonia Gandhi is generally in public with Kajal-drawn eyes and pinned up hair.Image: Sonia Gandhi looks on during a memorial service at Rajghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi in New Delhi on January 30, 2009, on Martyrs Day, the 61st anniversary of Gandhi`s assassination.
Though Sonia Gandhi wears cotton, khadi and handloom silks, among her favourites are ikat weaves and saris with gold threadwork.Image: Sonia Gandhi gestures during a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in New Delhi on January 29, 2009.
And Sonia Gandhi’s favourite choice of colours for her dresses are white, cream, earthy ochres and browns, indigo, deep maroon.Image: Sonia Gandhi with Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit in New Delhi on November 29, 2008.
