Anjalee and Arjun Kapoor opened the Aamby Valley India Bridal Week 2011 season with their dazzling “Phantom Couture” Collection that had a mélange of the most stunning creations. For the finale, Anjalee and Arjun had the gorgeous sexy Bollywood star, Mallika Sherawat, wearing one of the most stunning creations as she glided down the ramp. The glam international celeb was the perfect model for the gorgeous jewelled bustier and the innovative panelled lehenga in bright carrot red. There was a truly creative touch of the Victorian and Mughal era in the final creation.

Inspired by the Victorian era and the drama of Mughal times, the designers wove together glamour, grandeur and colour into their opera style ball gowns and ethnic wear.

The colours were as royal as the theme with jewel tones of ruby, sapphire, emerald and topaz playing a melody of hues, for moulded blouses and fluid voluminous skirts. To add that touch of feminine romantic elegance, the delicate lace trimmings edged the creations to highlight the silhouettes.

The setting of the opening show was the exotic Tropical Lagoon at the Sahara Star Hotel where the 90 ft. ramp emerged from the impressive backdrop in the circular giant atrium, which was the perfect arrangement to enable the audience sitting on four split levels to get a good look at the lovely garments.

Bringing in a hint of 17^thcentury Venice to the Victorian/ Mughal mélange, the pair opened the show with Rachel in a splendid layered white gown with shimmering net and chiffon.

Ameesha Patel walked as a show stopper for Designer Rocky S in a lehenga and looked every bit ‘Royal’ in the outfit. The Collection was a rich assortment of soft gold lamé, sheer net, georgette silk, satin and lush brocade. Colours that Rocky S played with moved from black to charcoal grey, then onto delicate ivory and pearl. For luxurious drama, Rocky S added deep old rose, mauve, royal blue, poison green and burnt orange.

Empire line kurtas, saris with embroidery, men’s sherwanis with silver work and sheer net churidars teamed with pleated bodices for kurtas with attached dupattas were a great opening. The all black section had tuxedos for the men while the graceful net saris and the flesh coloured minis with black scalloped embellishments or lean lace kurtas could double up as dresses without the net churidars.

Rocky S added interesting accessories like the ornate belts for the saris, which gave a seductive touch to the traditional garments. The final lehenga choli section with red panelled combo, the shaded red and cream net trio and the wine coloured silk lehenga choli, were almost dream-like in their appearance.  For ultra-bridal glamour for the couple, Rocky S offers some great creations that will be the cynosure of all eyes on that big day

Vikram Phadnis also displayed his Bridal Collection at this event where actor Neil Nitin Mukesh was the show-stopper. The handsome actor looked dapper in a black & maroon ’Achkan’……….reminded me so much of the Royal Rajputs.

Vikram revealed how beautifully tradition and contemporary styling can be presented for wedding trousseau. Working around a colour palette that started with the famed bright red, which is a favourite of all Indian brides; Vikram moved to orange and mustard and then added large doses of pink, green and royal blue to finally top the hues with a lavish sprinkling of silver and gold embroidery. Tunics were teamed with lehengas, while long floor length kurtas could double up as gowns.

Photo courtesy : Tandem Communications