A Grand Mix DOWNLOAD PDF

The first digital India Couture Week showcased the skills of master craftspeople and embroiderers that have made Indian bridalwear one of the most coveted in the world, reports Meher Castelino

It was an eclectic mix of fashion, films, creativity and techno expertise. The films shot at exotic locales and even underwater or in pools, ranged from 4–10 minutes in length as 12 designers unveiled their bridal couture collections for 2020 at the first digital India Couture Week (ICW) by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) from September 18 to 23. The colourful range of fabrics and of course the amazing embroidery and embellishments that were presented, once again ensured that the bridalwear business is very much intact. Noticeable for every collection there was—no doubt—that it was the skill of the master craftsmen and embroiderers that has made Indian bridalwear one of the most coveted in the world.

GAURAV GUPTA
Sculpted Perfection
The collection called ‘Name is Love’ was all about fabrics, colours and embellishments. Opaque and sheer materials vied for attention as organza, tulle, silk and taffeta were moulded and wired to perfection. The glimmer of bugle beads along with crystals, sequins and braiding further enhanced the grandeur of the men’s and women’s western couture collection. The colour story was deep and lush with emerald, bordeaux fuchsia, black and white, nude, jade, navy, beige, and grey, creating the magic. White embroidered flying horses and ethereal birds on black velvet tuxedos with shawl collars and accessorised with bow ties gave the men’s eveningwear that extra 21st century fashionable pizzazz.

SUNEET VARMA
Extremely Embellished
For his collection ‘Timeless by Suneet Varma’, the designer stayed true to only the indutva or Indianwear category with the lehenga-choli-dupatta set brought centrestage, and the sari given the reverence and respect it deserves. He selected sheer, lucid fabrics like tulle, banarasi, tanchoi silks, jacquards and organza along with heavy lush silk but it was the embellishments that proved to be Varma’s strong fashion statement. Colours were in a palette that shone with sunshine yellow, salmon pink, coral and of course, red. Flying birds of paradise, fluttering multi-coloured butterflies, flowers, paisleys, traditional and abstract motifs, played an artistic silver or gold symphony on the ensembles as crystals, sequins and mirror work along with beads shimmered bright. The sheer long-sleeves of the cholis were dappled at times with floral foliage in multi hues. Gleaming chevrons dazzled on umbrella shaped lehengas, along with 3D tonal tiny sequins that encrusted the long maxi skirts.