A fashion show featuring the works of three established Indian designers and two retail houses from Chennai, besides the launch of Bridal Mantra magazine, marked the Dubai debut.
After three successful shows in Chennai and one each in Hyderabad and Singapore, The Hindu Bridal Mantra was launched in style with a five-sequence fashion show at Ritz Carlton in Dubai on February 26.
Sparkling lights, a classy ramp and lively music set the mood at the Samaya Ballroom of the hotel at Dubai International Financial Centre well ahead of the show that was attended by corporate heads, people from the entertainment industry and Dubai’s social circuit.
Subtle coloursMumbai-based Falguni and Shane Peacock who have wowed celebrities such as Fergie of Black Eyed Peas and Lady Gaga, opened the evening with their collection “Garden of Eden”. Fusion silhouettes, subtle colours and a sprinkling of sequins marked this stylish ode to Eden. As models wearing beautiful headgears and ensembles that had probably taken days to create walked the ramp, many among the audience were seen clicking pictures with their mobile phones.
What followed was gold rush! Chennai’s GRT Jewellers presented its “Wedding and Celebration” range of intricately crafted gold ornaments encrusted with precious stones. Though traditional in aesthetic, some of the heavy pieces were tweaked suitably to make it to the trousseau of today’s bride.
Shantanu and Nikhil, famous siblings in New Delhi’s style circuit, came next with “To Die For,” a line inspired by the Renaissance. Clean lines, fitted dresses with ruffles, elegant lehengas and saris were a highlight of their collection.
The spotlight was turned on the mystique of the multi-yard silk sari with RmKV’s “Silks of India”. The retail house from Chennai took the audience on a visual journey of the country’s silk hubs — from Kancheepuram in the South to Varanasi in the North.
Mumbai’s celebrity designer and four-time National Award winner for costume design Neeta Lulla came up with “Angels & Heaven” for a fitting finale. Heavy sequins and embroidery marked this couture collection of lehengas , salwar suits and gowns that were showcased with much drama on the ramp. The showstopper for the evening was actor Prachi Desai. In a gorgeous pink ensemble and with soft curls framing her face, she glided on the ramp to a round of thunderous applause, in true Bollywood style.
Tips and trendsThe event also marked the launch of the fourth edition of Bridal Mantra , a wedding fashion magazine, by IIham Abbas, CEO and President, El IIham Group, and Akila Iyengar, Director, Kasturi & Sons Ltd. This edition of Bridal Mantra that has the svelte Alia Bhatt on the cover has a range of articles on trousseau trends, make-over tips, wedding photography and ideas for planning the special day.
Bridal Mantra’s two-day exposition begins today at Ritz Calton with stalls showcasing a range of bridal-related merchandise.
