F A S H I O N - Surekha Kadapa-Bose (Courtesy - BTW Magazine)

Wedding Wows

It’s your all-important day and as much as you’d like to uphold the tradition when it comes to your bridal wear, you would also like to incorporate the latest trends. We ask the gurus how to fuse the best of both the worlds, and carry it off with élan

A Jodha style bridal in traditional colours. The net flared ghagra with silk multicoloured borders is teamed with a brocade blouse. Embroidery is a mixture of bright gold zardozi, mirrorwork and crystals. Price on request Available at: Neeta Lulla store 6, RNA Classic S.V. Road Santa Cruz (W), Mumbai

It is that time of the year when the air resonates with the sounds of shehnai vadya and brides-to-be start planning to look their best on the all-important day of their lives. It’s a day when you would want to be in the most fashionable yet a traditional attire, thus fusing the best of both the worlds.

Ace fashion designer Vikram Phadnis, who has recently launched a bridal collection, advises the blushing brides to go in for contrast colour combinations rather than sticking to conventional colours. “The most important thing to bear in mind is that the colours chosen should complement the bride’s complexion and bring out her best features,” the Mumbai-based icon suggests.

Blue green bridal in net has a shaded georgette dupatta and silk choli with net sleeves. Stonework embroidery covers it. Price: Rs 1,90,000 Available at: Vikram Phadnis, 27/1 Aram Nagar, 7 Bungalows, Andheri (W), Mumbai

The diva of fashion designing, Neeta Lulla, elaborates, “Two distinctive looks will prevail this season – lehengas and saris with a very traditional and ethnic feel. The entire look and feel will be very old- worldly and yesteryears’ style with accessories and embellishments that are vintage or very Western and have a multi-textured blend.”

Experimenting with colours might seem a tad too blasphemous for some. After all, you are the centre of attention. But if done right, it can go a long way in etching your perfect day in the minds of all those present to celebrate the occasion with you. Chips in couturierre Archana Kochhar,

“Deep red will of course always be prevalent during the wedding season. But the colours which will dominate all other rituals at the wedding will be sunshine yellow, electric blue, jewel tones of emerald green, burnt sienna, flame orange and of course, deep pink. Dark wine colour of the last season too will continue to reign.”

In case of the fabric, brides can either go in for a very rich one like brocade, heavy silks or a lighter fabric like organza, net or lace with light to heavy embroidery. “Beautiful brocades with rich embroidery are evergreen. Textured fabrics with kundan or stone embroideries lend a rich look. And this, matched with net dupattas, looks stunning,’’ comments Phadnis.

Another fashion forecast comes from Kochhar, who believes that drape saris with pleats done up differently or even long sari-type duppattas on lehengas that fit at the hips and flare down will rule the bridal attire.

Talking about the ever-present embroidery on any Indian bridal attire, Kochhar explains, “Embroidery on traditional Indian lehengas will be more on the lines of vintage zardosi with gotas and kundan work. Indo-Western bridal wear will be multi-textured with enough embroidery to highlight and embellish the entire look.’’

Another highlight of this bridal season will be the emphasis on blouses. Today, girls are willing to experiment with their attire and look, despite a conscious attempt to keep in touch with tradition at the same time. Lehengas with long jackets or with corseted tops with heavy embroidery will be the cynosure of the entire attire. Full-flared skirts with full-sleeved bund gala or short cholis will be the highlights of this season.

Wedding means a lot of bling and an ultra-rich look. Keeping with that, this season would see a lot of stonework, Swarovski and zari with an antique look dominating the season. After all, recession or not, brides will always look stunning.