Fashion stylist and producer Rhea Kapoor has once again stirred up some serious style talk online with the incredible vintage corset look that Radhika Merchant wore on the debut India collection of Vivienne Westwood’s in Mumbai, which was instantly a huge hit across all social media platforms. This magnificent look combined very historical elements with modern Indian styling, which both fashion critics (those who style) and the general public alike celebrated.
This was without a doubt one of the top 10 most discussed celebrity fashion moments of the year, and Instagram users, stylists, and fashion commentators hailed it as an amazing fusion of both archival and contemporary elegance.
The Corset – Vintage and Full of History
At the heart of the viral outfit was an extremely rare archival Vivienne Westwood corset from her legendary “Portrait Collection” for fall/winter 1990-1991. The ivory cotton corset featured art inspired by French artist Francois Boucher’s 18th century painting, Daphnis and Chloe. The corset was all of the classic elements associated with the revolutionary style of Westwood’s i.e., structured, sweetheart neckline, and asymmetric hem. Fashion fans on social media called the look “one of the most museum-worthy looks” and “the perfect marriage between vintage glamour and modern glam.”
As according to the informative write-up, the corset was one of the most recognized pieces of fashion history for Westwood as it marked the very first reproduction of classical artistic works onto garments which is also something that has become a part of many of her collections.
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Fusion between Eastern and Western Fashion
Rhea Kapoor put forth an entirely new look by styling it in a completely unique way, as she was able to create a combination of Eastern and Western influences by pairing it with custom designed garments that resembled traditional draped sari styles.
This styling was representative of a growing trend that has been seen in the market of celebrity fashions, wherein luxury archive pieces are being reinterpreted and recreated using an Indian perspective. Social Media Users commented widely on this outfit for combining heritage style aesthetics and high end fashion in what appeared to be a non-theatrical manner.
Fashion pages on both Instagram and X expressed this styling as “Desi Meets Vintage Couture”, while several users expressed their admiration for Rhea Kapoor reviving archive fashion in a manner that seemed current and able to be easily worn.
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Popular Media Reaction
Approximately after images from the event became available online (i.e. released), this outfit began trending on numerous fashion blogs and through various celebrity fan pages. Many users felt that this outfit was one of the strongest examples of celebrity style for the year.
Several fashion commentators noted the surge of popularity in corsets as a part of the modern celebrity wardrobe. Corsets were once confined to historical European fashion, but more and more celebrities are adopting them as common red carpet items. Their structure and femininity tempt almost any celebrity to try wearing one.
What many fashion commentators and bloggers enjoyed about this particular brand of corset is that it was an archival piece. Vintage couture has a certain degree of exclusivity and cultural value in this age of fast fashion, and therefore, it is important to note how unique these outfits are to the fashion community at large.
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The Growth of Vintage Fashion in Bollywood
Bollywood’s new found love for vintage and archival fashion has contributed to our cultural definition of fashion and the desire for people to become invested in these artistically influenced fashions. In the past few years, more Bollywood celebrities have begun wearing rarer pieces from designers, stylings that are more sustainable, and pieces that are inspired by their culture for major public appearances.
Fashion observers suggest there is an emerging trend where audiences want to see how the designer’s clothing can tell a story or demonstrate a brand’s luxury or exclusivity. This trend has resulted in a return to the value of historical or artistically significant designer garments and therefore obtaining higher numbers online by those viewing them.
By selecting an archival corset that represents the history of fashion and pairing it with an Indian draping method, Rhea Kapoor has created a look that is culturally and artistically recognizable in many regions of the world.
A Fashion Moment That Continues to Trend
The fashion world is still buzzing about the vintage corset look, which has become a huge fixture on social media platforms, fashion mood boards, and celebrity style pages. Many users have dubbed it the 2025 red carpet highlight, praising its beauty, craftsmanship, and creativity.
As celebrity fashion continues to move toward luxury design, thoughtful styling and innovative design concepts, this viral trend may signal a larger movement within fashion to blend our past, environmental responsibility, and self-expression. Rhea Kapoor’s styling of the vintage corset has cemented itself into history as one of the top ten most memorable celebrity fashion trends of 2026.
