Indian fashion critic under fire for dissing Mawra's wedding dress

Nadia Afgan, Zahra Sarfraz slam Sufi Motiwala

Indian digital creator Sufi Motiwala took to Instagram on Thursday to share his views on Mawra Hocane's Nikkah ensemble, though his sartorial critique didn't sit well on social media. "This is what happens when you live in a world without Sabyasachi and Manish Malhotra," he began.

Calling the fabric choice "tacky", he felt that the red lines on the torso were questionable. "It is with a sad heart that I have to say that the only thing I like about this look is the dupatta. I, specifically, do not like the colour collage happening down there. But congratulations on the wedding, queen!" he said.

Sufi's comments attracted vitriol from celebrities, fashion professionals, and Instagram users alike. Actor Nadia Afgan was among those who came to Mawra's defence. "Wow, I'm impressed. It takes a special kind of talent to be this cruel and this wrong. Newsflash: Beauty is subjective, but kindness isn't. Her wedding day was about love, joy, and the celebration of their union - not about your shallow opinions," she wrote. "PS: If your career as a fashion critic doesn't work out, you can always try being a human being instead."

A stylist weighs in

Even Pakistani stylist Zahra Sarfraz took it upon herself to educate Sufi on the ancestral value of Mawra's dress. "Sufi, what I don't understand is that we extend so much love and support your way, to your people, so why is it so difficult to extend the same respect to us? The world you can't comprehend is a world of sentimental value," she began.

Zahra added that Mawra altered her mother-in-law's old dupatta and modelled her entire look after it ."What I find tacky is living outside the world of originality, sticking to two to three designers, and making yourself feel better by that one label," she said.

The stylist also pointed out that a small jewellery set has the same cultural value as a big one. "For those who don't know, the set was owned by Mawra's great-mother-in-law. And Mawra wore and celebrated this in the best way possible," she said.

"In short, I love how meaningful this entire look is. It's all about her and the people that she loves. I guess you'd have to be living outside 'Tack-istan' to understand things that are larger than life," Zahra finished. Her comments received nods from many, including video jockey Anoushey Ashraf who backed them with a few words of her own.

Facing the fire

On Friday, Sufi addressed the vitriol in a new Instagram Reel, dissecting Mawra's Baraat ensemble. "I infamously did not like [the Nikkah] look. But now, I've been culturally educated on all references, techniques, and the heritage value that the outfit has. But I just want to let everybody know, I never said that it was not culturally good. I just said that I did not like it on a visual level personally," he clarified.

Keeping a lighthearted tone, he went on to analyse the Baraat ensemble, which he ended up admiring. "To reiterate once and for all, this is a page where I share my personal opinions on fashion. And I would love if you all debated with me and shared your opinions in the comments. But don't harass me and send me back to therapy. I hated it there. Also, I promise I'll be nicer," he said.