A sneak peek at the fashion show at The India Story Wedding Diaries

The stunning Indrani Dasgupta Paul will be back at Chivas Glassware presents The India Story Wedding Diaries, a Neotia Arts Trust initiative, in association with t2, to choreograph and style the fashion show that’s become synonymous with the annual extravaganza at Swabhumi. She tells us what to expect.

Faabiiana will be showcasing its latest festive collection and pret line. Think crush lehngas and bandhni pieces. The contemporary trends that the ethnicwear brand has worked with include co-ord sets, spaghetti kurta sets and crush Anarkalis with jacket sets.

This will be Falguni Mehta’s first time at Wedding Diaries. “We are super excited to do it. I’ve heard it’s an amazing crowd of people with great design aesthetics and so we are looking forward to seeing unique pieces which is basically what we do. This season we are bringing a lot of new designs and colours, a mix and match with traditional and modern inputs, hand-done jewellery in 18 and 22-carat gold with uncut diamonds. For the brides and grooms we suggest that you buy a piece of jewellery that you love, a unique piece that reflects your personality,” says Falguni.

What are you planning this year at Chivas Glassware presents The India Story Wedding Diaries, a Neotia Arts Trust initiative?

We are very excited to have the designers we have this time, like Seema Gujral, Pallavi Mohan, and Faabiiana. All three have very distinct styles and we are excited to bring them to Calcutta. It’s for the modern bride. It’s sophisticated yet there is an element of fun. That’s what’s exciting.

We heard the concept is also different...

It’s called the ‘Modern Mehfil’. We are trying to use reflective surfaces like glass and mirrors. And, most of the garments too have those elements. So, we are trying to bring that into the design of the stage too.

Madhu Neotia, managing trustee, Neotia Arts Trust, won’t have anyone else choreographing and styling the annual showcase besides you. What do you love about The India Story Wedding Diaries?

That’s too sweet of her and that’s why I would do it only for her! (Laughs) It’s been a pleasure and a sheer joy working with Madhu. Not only does she give one a free hand, but another thousand hands behind one to help and assist. She gets so much freshness with every edition. Her excitement and enthusiasm are infectious and very inspirational and she takes everyone along with her on that wave.

How have you seen the brides change at the weddings you have been to in recent times?

The biggest trend I have noticed is that the brides aren’t going for the traditional reds anymore. It’s really lovely to see brides wearing whites, creams, ivories, blush pinks and greens. There are some really bold choices that the brides are making. It is really encouraging to see them break away from traditional colour palettes and it’s a whole new world of colour that brides are embracing. The pastels work really well with Indian skin tones. It is appealing and flattering.

Also, in terms of the silhouettes, there are a lot of cool, interesting ones that the brides are sporting. The odhni has been reinvented. The modern bride wants to be herself and it is nice to see the same sensibility but in a different expression.

The label will showcase Bloom. “For me, every collection reflects on a personal journey inspired by nature, the ever-evolving relationship with people, life and myself. The collection Bloom is a celebration of our classic 3D flowers, playful textures, fine craftsmanship and maturing of the techniques as we mature as human beings. How nature evolves and continuously finds its way, it synergises with me... it weaves into my personal space, which is what is crafted on our classic powerful silhouettes. Fuss-free modern and confident styles are continuously adapted in different ways by different ‘Not So Serious’ women, who re-style them and enhance the beauty and personality of these styles. Our forever-loved ivories and blush, the use of sorbet pastel colours with a dash of bling and sparkle, depicts the softness of nature or the softness of life. The signature capes and layered dresses are all part of the showcase,” says Pallavi.

Personally, how are you choosing your projects now?

The projects are choosing me. I try to choose something which I haven’t done before and the collaborators on the project make a difference.

This will be Thakorlal Hiralal’s fourth time at the annual event. “It is even more special this time because it is the first time we will be showcasing in Calcutta since the Covid pandemic. What I love about TIS-WD is that it is such a well-curated collection of services catering to the bridal and wedding industry. Weddings are all about celebrating life’s defining moments and this show itself is such a celebration of all things luxury,” says Pranay Mehta, creative head and MD, Thakorlal Hiralal. Along with their bespoke designs, they will be getting their “new collection of lighter ready-to-wear fine jewellery, embellished with diamonds, rubies, emeralds and pearls”. “Maximalist looks are trending this season for fine jewellery. Mark the most important day of your life with pieces that speak to the timelessness and elegance that is your personality... beautifully handcrafted, classic lines using large gemstones (like emeralds and tanzanites) which complement your own design aesthetic,” are Pranay’s top tip for the bride. For the groom, he picks, “large sherwani buttons which are jewel embellished with rubies, emeralds and diamonds”. “A maximal trend for grooms is a necklace with large uncut emeralds,” he says.