flair for flare
Bridal dresses are going to
pack volume while walking
down the traditional aisle
0nce again it is that time of the year when you hear shehnai playing in the background and scores of girls across the country step into the world of matrimony with eyes full of dreams and expectations. In the desire to look gorgeous and beautiful on the D-day, girls and their families start the search for the best attire months in advance. What according to fashion designers is in this year? Who else to turn to but Manish Malhotra, the favourite designer of Bollywood beauties? “This year, we’ll see lots of flare and volume in outfits – long flowy kurtas over ghaghras. It’ll be more classic this year, like going back to our tradition,’’ says Manish.
You will get to see many brides looking like they have just stepped out of those old Muslim social films, dressed in ghaghras made of five to six metres of fabric, topped with below kneelength kurtas, sporting a drape of a three to four metre long dupatta.
Designer duo Shane and Falguni Peacock too feel that volume will overpower bridal attire this season. According to them, delicate drapes in unique styles paired with structured cholis will be seen a lot in bridal trousseau as also flowing gowns for prenuptial functions like cocktail evenings, sangeet and mehendi.
The highlight of this season is that though brides will sport a traditional element in their attire, they will still experiment within the traditional framework. Yes, they surely want to look beautiful but at the same time don’t want to end up looking like what their grandmas did on their wedding day!
Explains designer Archana Kochchar, “Gone are the days of the typical maroon gold palette of bridal dressing. Brides will indulge in the Indianised version of vampire chic and opt for deeper and darker tones. They will try and experiment with an unconventional palette of steel, carbon and raven and inject the quintessential Indian neon of Rani pink and saffron orange.’’
Today wedding dressing doesn’t comprise just the attire worn at the time of the actual 7-pheras and exchange of garlands. No doubt the ultimate event is the climax of a shaadi but there are many other events where one needn’t restrict oneself to conventional attire. For the sangeet ceremony you can swirl and twirl in a perfectly flared lehenga which is light in weight and much more dramatic. Or go for the billowing Anarkali which has become a very strong outfit this fall. The classic (kali) panel construction has got innovated in form of inserts and drape bodices. For mehndi one can opt for the universal kurta, which this fall gets a sensual uplift in the form of drape tunic with pinching and pleat detailing. The look further is paired with full grown patiala, dhoti pants or harem in luxe lycra which adds a soft movement to the constructed traditional silhouettes.
In the colour department, follow the rainbow or choose whichever
colour you want to.
While Manish Malhotra bets on fuchsia pink, coral and orange, the Peacock duo prefer soft colours like beige, whites, ivory, champagne gold and rose pinks.
In the detailing department Shane and Falguni say, “As women don’t mind experimenting with their looks and attire, they now opt for sequins and stone embellishments over the traditional kantha and zardoshi work. However the long-established block print and zari will never go out of style. Our grandmothers wore it elegantly
and we continue to incorporate these traditional elements in modern cuts and styles even today.’’
Manish predicts that this season, it’ll be less of embroidery; however you’ll encounter a combination of bling, zari, silk threads in minimal proportions. “Zardoshi will supersede, as it is timeless. We are going back to vintage and revisiting our tradition. The motifs in embroidery would be traditional but a little more contemporary, with a modern touch,’’ he explains.
Archana echoes similar sentiments. “The in-your face embellishment takes a back step and lets the shine do its magic by itself. Tone on tone shine embroidery is replacing crystal encrusted bling. The detailing goes more intricate, delicate and tonal, which just gives the required shine, and sparkles the entire ensemble in a sophisticated sheen.’’
Does that mean the centuries old bridal must (saris) are going off the radar? No, not in the near future.
“Sari has its own charm and elegance and will always be in fashion. This year’s bride will go for traditionally draped saris… nets and georgette will be more popular this season as these fabrics give the desired look without making it look too heavy. We’ll also see saris with big border (not overtly though) in demand this season,’’ says Manish.
Shane and Falguni add, “Saris continue to be a dominant feature. However the style of draping saris hasevolved over time. Women now opt for delicate drapes or layers in net and chiffon teamed with intricately embellished cholis. Detailing in necklines and on the sleeves with sequin work and stone embellishments add glam to the Indian attire.’’
Do pay heed to the advice of these experts of the fashion world, but in the end decide for yourself what you would want to wear on your big day!
