Akshata Murty's G20 summit fashion choice gives a spotlight to women-owned brands

Akshata Murty, the daughter of Infosys founder Narayan Murthy and the wife of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, is currently in Delhi for the G20 Summit. Her fashion selections during the summit have been more than just personal style; they've carried political undertones.

On the first day of her visit, Murty opted for a combination of a pleated, crisp white shirt and a traditional floral Indian skirt. However, her fashion statements didn't end there.

During a special agricultural exhibition at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi on Saturday, she chose to wear a lilac dress with a strong Indian connection. The dress, adorned with marble prints, was designed by Manimekala Fuller, a UK-based designer of half-Indian heritage.


This dress featured a button-down style, puffed sleeves, and a fabric belt, complemented by matching lilac heels.

In a conversation with India Today, Fuller expressed her pride in Akshata Murty's efforts to utilize her platform to highlight women-owned brands, both within India and throughout the diaspora, such as Manimekala. Fuller also applauded Murty's preference for supporting smaller labels that prioritize sustainable and ethical fashion, promoting a more deliberate and responsible approach to clothing.

Fuller, who herself has Indian and British roots and is based in the UK with frequent visits to India, shared her motivation behind launching her brand, Manimekala. She said, "I am of half-Indian, half-British descent, and I am based in the UK but regularly visit India. My family's tradition of crafting their clothing inspired me to study fashion and establish my own brand, Manimekala. I have a deep appreciation for the rich textile history and diverse traditional craftsmanship across the subcontinent and aspire to collaborate with more women-led craft enterprises as my brand expands."

Notably, during a meeting with students and staff at the British Council of India in New Delhi on Friday, Akshata Murty sported an ensemble from the Indian label Drawn, created by designer Rhea Bhattacharya.

Akshata Murty's fashion choices at the G20 Summit not only reflect her distinctive style but also serve as a platform to endorse and elevate women-owned brands while emphasizing sustainability and ethical fashion practices.