How EU Chief got Indian fashion right, unlike many others
India Today
From honouring the weavers of Varanasi in a brocade bandhgala jacket to twinning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a Northeastern eri silk stole, Ursula von der Leyen made a strong case for fashion diplomacy without going overboard.
It is absolutely safe to say European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen got the Indian wardrobe right, as fashion diplomacy is a notoriously tricky space.
The EU chief’s sartorial choices during the visit were elegant, sophisticated and, most importantly, far removed from the tacky route global leaders sometimes fall into when dressing for India.
She paid genuine tribute to India’s rich textile heritage by turning to Indian designers and silhouettes with thought and restraint. From the Northeast’s eri silk stole and Varanasi’s opulent brocade to Rajasthan’s bandhani, her looks were regionally diverse and styled with quiet grace. Each outfit felt intentional rather than performative.
Not many global political figures have managed to strike that balance on Indian soil.
Her Indian fashion spree began at the Republic Day Parade, where she attended as chief guest wearing a maroon-and-gold brocade bandhgala jacket by Rajesh Pratap Singh.
She later wore a beige-gold bandhgala by the same designer at President Droupadi Murmu’s at-home reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, paired with the eri silk stole that was part of India’s Republic Day 2026 invitation. EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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