Her minuscule role in Danny Boyle’s Oscar-nominated Slumdog Millionaire notwithstanding, starlet Freida Pinto has been lighting up the award functions with her stunningly well put together wardrobe. So far, among the plethora of Oscar de la Rentas, Dries Van Notens and Chanels that she has been sporting, only one Indian designer had made the cut — a wrap dress by Gauri & Nainika that she wore at a press meet in Mumbai. Even though insiders say that Pinto is likely to go with another international biggie when she walks the red carpet at the Academy Awards, the consensus among Indian designers is that they would love to see her wear something inspired by India.

“Frieda looks gorgeous in whatever she wears, but maybe for the Oscars she could go with something a little Indian, to set her apart from the rest of the crowd. I would love to see her in a saree-inspired gown — one of those kinds which are full length and have asymmetrical drapes — the kind Valentino, Gaultier and Dior do so well. She has worn a lot of pastels so far, but I would love to see her in jewel tones, an emerald green or a sapphire blue to go with her rich complexion,” says Delhi-based designer Ranna Gill.

Brothers Shantanu and Nikhil too would like to see her in a similar avatar. “If we were to design for Freida at the Oscars we would design something soft that goes with her personality. It would be a long gown with a demure and romantic look to it and a lot of drapes. We would definitely like to see her wearing a hint of India in such an ensemble, possibly an Indian piece of jewellery. It would be emblematic of where she is from,” they say.

Designer duo David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore of the label Abraham and Thakore though would love to see the dusky girl go out and out Indian. “Probably in a saree worn with a barely there blouse,” is their opinion.