At the Melbourne Film Festival, she stepped out in a champagne-gold saree paired with a dramatic floor-length jacket, and the combination had just the right amount of old-school elegance and sharp, modern edge.
The look came from Roseroom by Isha Jajodia. The saree itself was soft and fluid, with delicate lacework and floral embroidery running through the fabric. Its subtle shimmer kept things glamorous without making the outfit feel too heavy. Then came the jacket. Draped over her shoulders almost like a cape, it featured strong padded shoulders, textured embroidery and bold vertical detailing. That one addition completely changed the feel of the saree. Instead of just looking traditionally glamorous, the outfit had a confident, almost power-suit-like attitude. Malaika wore it with a sculpted, corset-style blouse and a shimmering waistband that highlighted her waist. The structured blouse and sharp jacket worked nicely against the softer drape of the saree. She didn’t hold back on the jewellery either. From 7th Avenue Jewellery, she wore layered necklaces, including an ornate choker and a finer diamond chain with a pendant. Statement earrings, bracelets and rings added even more sparkle. A glittering oval clutch from Maejoy finished things off. Her makeup, though, stayed relatively simple. She went for glowing skin, softly defined cheeks, smoky eyes and a nude lip. Her hair was pulled into a sleek bun, which made sense – the jacket and jewellery were already doing plenty of talking. And that’s probably what worked best about the whole look. The saree still looked like a saree, but the structured jacket gave it a completely different personality. Elegant, but with some attitude. Exactly the kind of styling that makes a familiar classic feel fresh again. Looking for trusted parenting advice? Follow TOI Parenting Circle on Instagram for expert guidance, relatable stories, and practical tips delivered every day.