Bridal fashion week starts with magnificence

JJ Valaya and Shantanu & Nikhil were real showstoppers on day one

When it comes to haute couture where opulence and royalty rules, designer JJ Valaya is one name that comes to everyone’s mind. And who could have been a better designer than him to open the Indian Bridal Week, 2013 Delhi edition.

He marked the beginning of the extravagant bridal week with his grand show -‘The Maharaja of Madrid’- a collection inspired from the voyage of a Monarch who was fascinated by the Spanish art, customs and forms.

The show began with the music of birds chirping in the background, and a male
model playing a traditional trumpet like instrument on the ship which was right in the middle of this opulent set. Suddenly, two dancers entered the stage. One gave a Kathak performance while the other in a red evening gown, did a foot-tapping
flamenco.

The first section of the show presented a collection inspired by the laces found in Spanish fans and headgears. Sarees, long-collared coats over sarees in ivory were the collection’s highlight. Even men’s collection showcased a very intricately light embroidered sherwani and a long anarkali lookalike. The second part showcased big floral prints in harmony with the Indian Jamawar in paisley pattern while the next series was inspired by the armors of Spain and India, showed wide array of collection in fine metal embroideries, velvets and georgettes. In men’s collection, long ankle length sherwanis in red and heavy gold zardosi work in gold and black captured the attention.

Kabir Bedi in a rare sighting on the fashion ramp, walked in regally with his drop-dead gorgeous looks and that killer smile, in a sherwani embellished heavily with intricate zari and brocade work. The second show stopper was Kangna Ranaut, who wore a floor-sweeping lehenga in red and gold, with exquisite beadwork.

Designer Shantanu and Nikhil also showcased their collection on day one. The show started with white outfits like gowns, lehengas, mermaid dresses, anarkalis in dull gold floral embroidery work but also included use of soft-flowy fabrics in earthy colours. Miss Canada, Sehar Biniaz, was the show stopped for the designer duo.