Vaishali Dahiya
15-Jul-2026
Sparkles and sequin embellishments are taking over runways and closets!
By Vaishali Dahiya, Founder, Realm by Vaishali
Let’s be honest—for the last few years, fashion tried to bore us to death. We were told to bow down at the altar of "quiet luxury": a world of sterile beige, unadorned cashmere, and garments so minimalist they practically disappeared into the background. As someone who has always embraced unapologetic glamour, I felt there was still room for fashion that celebrated embellishment instead of shying away from it. To quote the legendary Iris Apfel: "More is more and less is a bore."
As a result, crystals, sequins, and beads are staging a thunderous comeback. But erase all memories of the scratchy, chaotic Y2K glitter or the cheap, planet-polluting plastic discs of fast fashion's past. Today, embellishments are being treated with the reverence of fine art, where centuries-old artisan techniques are fused with sharp, contemporary Western silhouettes.
When I entered the industry, I was repeatedly told that heavy handwork belonged exclusively to traditional bridal wear or ethnic couture. The common consensus was that Western wear needed to be clean, slick, and uncomplicated. I looked at that rulebook and decided to set it on fire. Why should an exquisite lehenga have all the fun?
"Good design is sustainable design, but great design makes your heart skip a beat."
In the Realm atelier, we don't just scatter rhinestones; we create three-dimensional stories. Our craftsmen mix media with breathtaking mathematical precision. Crystals are woven together with metallic wire, delicate cut dana (glass beads), mother-of-pearl embellishments, and silk threads. We are building 3D floral petals that physically lift off the shoulder of a sharp blazer jacket and mapping out celestial constellations and colorful coral reefs using varying sizes of Swarovski crystals to catch the light from every single angle.
(Image Credits: Realm by Vaishali)
The most exhilarating shift I have witnessed as a founder is the death of fashion gatekeeping. The archaic rule that said shine is only for after 8 PM? Cancelled. We are currently designing for the era of "Daytime Disco"—a movement that treats high-octane glamour as a daily human right. Increasingly, consumers are no longer reserving embellished pieces for milestone celebrations. Crystal-encrusted tops are layered beneath oversized denim jackets for creative workplaces, while liquid-sequin dresses are styled with crisp white sneakers for Sunday brunches. By pairing high-shine craftsmanship with casual staples, embellishment is proving that it isn't a dress code—it is a mood and an individual's style language.
Why is this happening now? Because fashion has always been a mirror of the collective psyche. As Miuccia Prada brilliantly put it, "What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language. After years of global restriction and clinical minimalism, the world wants to look alive. Sequins and crystals reflect light, and light signifies hope, celebration, and visibility.
Finally, let's talk numbers and asset curation. The modern fashion enthusiast is fiercely smart; they are rejecting the transactional disposal of fast fashion. Today's consumer increasingly views their wardrobe through the lens of a curator. A flat, machine-made dress may depreciate the moment the tag comes off, but a hand-embellished piece represents an investment in craftsmanship and countless hours of skilled human labor.
(Image Credits: Realm by Vaishali)
In a world saturated with AI-generated patterns and automated assembly lines, true luxury is shifting. The ultimate status symbol is no longer a quiet, unbranded logo; it is the visible manifestation of time. Knowing that a handcrafted jacket can take upwards of eighty hours of meticulous hand-stitching transforms it from a garment into a collectible piece of wearable art—something to wear, preserve, and eventually pass down.
Sparkle may be enjoying a resurgence, but its appeal extends well beyond trend cycles. At its best, embellishment celebrates craftsmanship, individuality, and the enduring value of handmade fashion. In an increasingly automated world, those qualities are perhaps more precious than ever.
Cover Credits: Instagram @khushikapoor
