Opinion Sonam Kapoor’s maternity photo-shoot shows pregnancy isn’t a pause, it’s a level-up
Her Rahul Mishra look reminds women that in this life-altering phase of their lives, their changing bodies deserve style, dignity and celebration
At its heart, maternity fashion today is about agency. It is about a woman deciding how she wants to be seen at a time when society has historically reduced her to expectation and duty. 
There are celebrity looks that start conversations about fashion. Then there are moments that quietly shift how we see womanhood itself. Sonam Kapoor’s new maternity photoshoot in a hand-embroidered Rahul Mishra suit belongs to the second category. It signals how far India has travelled in how it views pregnancy, the female body and the place of mothers in public life.
For decades, maternity fashion was about hiding. Loose silhouettes, oversized layers, muted colours and the quiet expectation that a woman should dress for comfort but not for attention. Pregnancy was seen as a private stage, something to keep discreet and contained. Even in the glamour of film industries, the bump was rarely photographed with pride. A pregnant woman was often asked to step back, press pause, or wait until she returned to her “usual” self.
Kapoor’s recent fashion choices reject that old script completely. Her custom ivory Anarkali paired with dhoti-style bottoms celebrates visibility. It respects comfort but does not compromise on individuality. The handcrafted embroidery from Rahul Mishra’s studio sits naturally on her changing silhouette. It is a reminder that the Indian fashion vocabulary is evolving to include the realities of motherhood without treating them as imperfections.
This is not an isolated fashion moment. Her earlier Ferragamo look, with its powerful overcoat and strong silhouette, and her bold hot-pink suit when she announced her pregnancy, all follow the same pattern. They tell a story of a woman who dresses as herself, not as a symbol of caution or restraint. Kapoor is not signalling that motherhood changes her identity. She is signalling that it expands it.
This shift is not just about one actor. It reflects a larger cultural movement. Around the world, women are refusing to shrink themselves during pregnancy. Rihanna famously turned maternity dressing into a form of personal activism. Closer home, Kareena Kapoor carried her pregnancy in fabrics and fits that announced confidence rather than compromise.
At its heart, maternity fashion today is about agency. It is about a woman deciding how she wants to be seen at a time when society has historically reduced her to expectation and duty. Clothing becomes a language of autonomy. A bump is no longer a secret to be wrapped away but a chapter of life that can be celebrated.
There is also something important about the fact that Sonam chose Rahul Mishra. Indian couture has long been shaped around bridal wear and red-carpet glamour. Seeing a pregnant woman step into that space with ease suggests that fashion houses are finally adapting to different life stages. It also shows that maternity wear does not have to be a separate category filled with clothes that feel temporary. Regular fashion is beginning to stretch to accommodate real bodies and real changes.
There is a quiet dignity in that. When a woman sees her changing body reflected in thoughtful design, it tells her that she belongs. It tells her that she has every right to feel stylish, powerful and visible while growing a life inside her.
Sonam Kapoor’s maternity fashion moment matters because it reminds us that representation shapes emotion. When women see pregnancy shown with style, confidence and joy, it validates their own journeys. It tells them that they are allowed to celebrate their bodies, not apologise for them. That they are defining their own narratives rather than inheriting ones written for them.
The writer is associate professor at IILM University, Gurugram
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