At 79, Sonia Gandhi has rarely made fashion the centre of attention. But her latest magazine appearance is turning heads for reasons that go beyond the clothes. As her much-anticipated memoir, Belonging:
A Journey of Love, arrived in bookstores on November 10, the Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson appeared on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar India in a look that was understated, elegant and unmistakably her. What makes the photographs particularly special, however, is the family behind the frame.
For the photoshoot, Sonia was styled by her daughter, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, while her grandson, Raihan Vadra, was behind the camera. It was a rather personal collaboration, bringing three generations of the family together for a magazine moment that coincided with an important milestone in Sonia’s life.
Sonia Gandhi’s blush-pink saree is a lesson in understated elegance
For the cover, Sonia opted for a blush-pink saree featuring delicate gold borders edged in red. She paired it with a contrasting red blouse, allowing the two colours to do the talking without relying on elaborate embellishments. The look was finished with a pair of pearl earrings, while her shoulder-length hair was neatly held back with a black hairband.
There was no attempt to dramatically reinvent her personal style. Instead, the ensemble stayed close to the classic Indian dressing she has long favoured. The soft pink brought a gentle, feminine quality to the look, while the red blouse added just enough contrast to keep the overall palette interesting.
Her styling also made a case for the enduring appeal of a well-chosen saree. With minimal jewellery, a familiar drape and understated hair, the look relied on its simplicity rather than a long list of accessories. It was formal enough for a magazine cover, yet retained the warmth of a personal portrait.
Priyanka Gandhi and Raihan Vadra bring a family touch to the shoot
Perhaps the most interesting detail about the cover is the involvement of Sonia’s family. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took charge of styling her mother, while Raihan Vadra, Priyanka’s son, photographed her.
The collaboration feels particularly meaningful given the timing. Sonia’s memoir is an intensely personal account of her life, relationships and the experiences that shaped her journey from Italy to India. Having her daughter and grandson contribute to a shoot marking the book’s release adds another layer to the occasion.
The family connection extends to the memoir’s cover as well. The Indian edition features a photograph of a younger Sonia Gandhi in a saree, captured by her late husband, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, decades ago. The photograph offers a glimpse of their shared personal history, making the book’s visual identity just as intimate as its subject.
A memoir about love, family and finding belonging
Published by HarperCollins India, Belonging: A Journey of Love traces Sonia’s journey from her childhood in Italy to her life in India, her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi, her relationship with her mother-in-law Indira Gandhi and the personal tragedies that shaped her life.
In an essay published ahead of the book’s release, Sonia described it as a personal account rather than a political one. She explained that she wanted to portray her family as she knew them, including their motivations, struggles and human imperfections.
That context makes the magazine appearance all the more fitting. Between a saree chosen by her daughter, photographs taken by her grandson and a memoir cover featuring an image captured by her husband, the occasion brings together different chapters of her life through the people closest to her.
And while the blush-pink saree makes for a beautiful fashion moment, it is the sentiment behind the photographs that makes this cover particularly memorable.
