Indian Fashion Police

Major part of my holidays actually went into seeing hindi movie which is what I dearly miss staying abroad. Another movie which impressed me after ‘Guzaarish’ has to be ‘Band, Baaja, Baraat’………………so much of colour be it in the setting, background, food or glorious clothes…………by which I come back to my favourite topic ‘C-L-O-T-H-E-S’. Bless the person who invented it…………else what fun it would be to live like Adam & Eve

Like any Indian girl, I still love the idea of getting all decked up to go for a wedding, sangeet or a party in Salwar Kameez, Saree or a Kurti Jeans with bangles, jhumkis, ethnic sandals & potli. Despite being married for more than 2 years, I still yearn to wear my wedding lehenga, but do manage to take a sneak peek at it every single time I come back to India. Wedding Attire is important decision every woman makes for D-day which can make her look like a million bucks or make others look much better than her[poor thing]. I am very inspired with the upcoming year 2011 and the wedding fashion in store for all, with new and legendary designers making a beeline for wedding couture. Hope I am able to bring the best wedding fashions for the new year since every Indian girl dreams her entire life of wearing ‘The Bridal Lehenga’ or ‘Bridal Saree’ on her Wedding Day.

JJ Valaya

 JJ Valaya’s bridal collection is to die for………………the moment a Valaya bride walks in, the crowd is enthralled by her grace and elegance combined with the richness of the bridal lehenga. His recent Bridal collection displayed at Pearl Infrastructure Couture Week is definitely at top of my list for must have bridalwear in the new year. The colours red & golden which are fit for any bride, take centre stage in his new collection which was inspired by beautiful Rajasthan. The exquisite traditional detail work leaves me breathless with its beauty. If you are looking for something regal, JJ Valaya’s bridalwear is where your journey would end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

  

 

Tarun Tahiliani

Tarun definitely needs no introduction when it comes to Bridal couture, for he has led the way for others. He had recently organised Bridal Couture Exposition in Gurgaon & Mumbai which got a whole lot of people together to catch the first glimpse of his recent bridal collection. What makes him stand apart is the amazingly done detail work especially with Swaroski crystals which reflect Indianess in every bit. His bridal outfits look like a dream come true and the woman wearing it on her D-day feels like a Queen. If you are the type who loves the glitz, wants to look glamorous and money is no issue, then enter the fabulous world of Tarun Tahiliani’s Bridal Dream. I put my bets on the fact that someday in the future, a Tarun Tahiliani’s Bridal outfit will be seen as ‘Vintage’ which you can surely show it off to your grandchildren………..:-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

  

  

Neeta Lulla

 Neeta’s recent collection displayed at the Amby Valley Bridal Week was definitely worth a look. I am glad that Neeta is coming back to her glorious ‘Devdas’ days of blending colour and embroidery to bring out a glorious outfit. This wedding season, I would suggest brides-to-be to take a look at Neeta’s Bridal collection which has sarees and lehengas with loads of detail work. Lovely colours in magenta,pinks, mehendi greens,orange, golden and maroons were seen on the runway as part of Neeta Lulla’s presentation. So if you are the traditional type of bride who loves to mix & match colour, Neeta Lulla might be a perfect fit for your Trousseau.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

  

Pallavi Jaikishan 

Surprisingly I never thought that lace could ever suit Indian Bridal outfits……………but Pallavi Jaikishan has made that possible by using her trademark style with Chantilly lace, combining it with our Indian designs & fabrics. The outcome……..a breath-taking collection which oozes loads of grace. She has extensively used chiffon, crepes, Georgette and net with sequin work for the much-needed ‘bling’ but the outfits never looked over the top. For a bride who is in search of sophistication, Pallavi’s creations might just answer your D-day outfit queries.

 

   

Manish Malhotra

Who doesn’t want to be dressed by this amazing magician……………….why do I call him a magician, simple since his clothes transform any woman into a ‘Diva’. Every fashionista’s wants to own a classic piece of Manish Malhotra’s collection. He has brought ‘finesse’ and loads of colours to Bridalwear. One of the few designers who made women leave red, choose unlikely & different colours like peach, yellow, blue, pink, golden and so many more. He has stood out for his detail work with is very fine yet has the element of ‘bling’ in subtle tones. In his recent collection, one can find Manish using loads of gotta work, zari work, kundan, kashmiri embroidery and velvet to create a distinctive look for the bride & bridesmaids. Overall I am a fan of his Bridal designs both ‘on’ & ‘off’ ramp.

 

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Abu Jani – Sandeep Khosla

Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosla made a re-appearance after many years on the ramp during the Pearls Infrastructure Couture Week - 2010 thought their recent creations were no doubt very classic, but needed more creativeness from this talented duo. They still stand out to be one of the finest when it comes to Indian Bridalwear. This festive season they have presented a collection where classic diva & a rocker chick collide to combine a beautiful fusion in Bridal attire. There is colourful metallic sequin work on the lehengas and sarees that provide with the ‘Glitter’ to the recent collection plus the sober pale hues add a hint of luxury to the entire ensemble. The floral motifs on the outfits neatly placed added the much-required pop of colour. If you as a bride feel that you wanna be adventurous on your big day, yet retain the element of ‘elegance’ Abu Jani – Sandeep Khosla’s collection is tailor-made for your style.

 

 

 Anupama Dayal

 

Anupama Dayal was a surprise to me this festive season with her display of bridal collection at Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive this year. With such beautiful work up her sleeve for bridal collection, I am sure there will be many takers for her designs. The fact why I am featuring Anupama’s collection in Bridal couture for next year is that it is contemporary yet very traditional at the same time. A bride who wants a bridal outfit without too much of bling can check out this collection done up in gotta detailing, metallic embellishment and motifs over Banarsi brocade, silks, Georgette and net. Plus with a variety of colours, you will have plenty to choose from. Suited well for the bride who wants to look different from the rest of the crowd on her own D-day.

  

  

  

Abhi Rahul

I liked Abhi & Rahul’s saree & lehenga collection displayed at Lakme Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2010 because of the festive colours and the embroidery work. Honestly if the traditional Indian Bridalwear is without detail work, there is not much fun in flaunting it. Even if the embroidery or the zari workis used to the minimum but should not be devoid of it. Abhi Rahul’s collection is for the bride who wants to dress up more subtly than be demure on her wedding day. The backgrounds have muted tones combined with bright colour sequin work. The collection has rich fabrics like silks, velvet along with rubia cotton, colourful khadi, brocade and net. I am a fan of their styling of a saree with a matching jacket as seen below. Very contemporary and glamorous yet fit for the cold Indian winters.

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Anamika Khanna

For the very contemporary Bride, your search deinitely would end after looking at Anamika Khanna’s recent Bridal collection which is not for the faint hearted. If you truly wish to surprise the crowd by going modern rather than traditional, this will fit the bill. Loads of gotta & zari work with sequin work on an unlikely fabric like velvet for a rich look plus combining corsets with sarees, lehengas and even salwars have been a highlight of this collection. Angarakhas made a come back, thanks to Anamika’s creativity while the dupattas with heavy embroidered patterns on the ends, empowered the entire outfit. If you are very fashion forward & not afraid to take risks, you have just hit the jackpot.

Photo Courtesy: www.daylife.com, www.vogue.in, www.stylekandy.com, www.masala.com