Riwaayat, a bridalwear collection that is rooted in the richness of Indian tradition and embodies royalty, while blending in well with the present times with its contemporary expression, marks designer Sayantan Sarkar’s venture into bridalwear with the official launch of the couture section of his label. The collection weaves a narration of luxury around classic silhouettes, intricate embroidery, deft craftsmanship and the vibrancy of bright and jewel tones. The range of outfits in the collection shows a dominance of the metallic bling touch and traditional embroidery, and represents various nuptial rituals and customs of the big fat Indian wedding.

The quaint charm of the heritage building Basu Bati, that holds an important place in Bengal’s history and heritage, set a perfect backdrop for this shoot for the collection aimed at paying homage to the various heritage and traditional craftsmanship through its design elements. The grandeur of the architectural style of the building that shows Bengal’s indigenous and Islamic influences not only added spectacular elements to each frame but also blended well with the essence of the collection.

1. Priyanshu Thakur looked regal in a tanchoi silk sherwani with golden cord and sequin highlights paired with a zari buta Chanderi safa and polki and pearl jewellery.

2. Ushoshi Sengupta cut a gorgeous frame in this mustard lehnga made of dupion silk designed with silver and rose gold zardozi work with a hint of red, paired with a net dupatta and antique temple collection gold jewellery. The look was completed with bronze skin, golden shimmery and kohl eyes and bold red lips. “The colour palette is muted, creating mostly a self-on-self colour story,” said Sayantan. Shot in the inner sanctum of the thakurdalan, smoke from the traditional mud incense burner, the architectural beauty of the scalloped arches and old stucco designs on the walls served as a picturesque backdrop, resembling a painting.

3. Sophisticated charm marked these soothing pastels. Kutubuddin Sheikh sported an off-white raw silk sherwani with an asymmetrical hemline designed with thread buti and zardozi embroidery and sequin detailing. It is teamed up with an off-white Anarkali kurta and churidar. Priyanshu wore a mint-green sherwani and kurta designed with multicoloured floral embroidery and pearl highlights paired with off-white pants and an organza safa. The looks were accessorised with polki, pearl and emerald jewellery.

4. This frame shot against the backdrop of the unique lion-head carved columns adorning the facade of the heritage building brings out a colourful harmony of the emerald green and pastel pink. Riya Bhattacharjee wore a silk lehnga intricately designed with cord, zardozi and sequins in golden hue styled with a dirty mustard net dupatta and veil with design detailing all over. The open drapes of the dupatta and veil suggest the traditional bridal glory. Polki and emerald jewellery complete the neutral-brown smokey look, with gold hints, nude lips and dewy skin.

5. The traditional red lehnga is a classic bridal look, here styled with a contemporary touch. The velvet lehnga with zardozi buti work all over is paired with a matka silk jacket with heavy borders and motifs on the hemline. “This look is inspired from the Mughal styles,” said Sayantan. The look was styled with polki and pearl jewellery, black-smokey eyes and nude lips. “We kept this look classic and minimal with a hint of boldness through the dark eyes,” said Olivia Sinha Roy, make-up artist.

6. Bright and beautiful, the colourful dupion silk lehnga with detailed embroidery work and silver and golden highlight all over, was paired with a blue dupion silk blouse with a trim design detailing along the neckline and bust, and a pale mustard organza dupatta with rows of sequin embroidery. “This look was inspired from phulkari from Punjab,” said Sayantan. Teal-smokey eyes, nude-pink lips on dewy skin and a Navratna neckpiece balanced the look.

7. Kutubuddin slipped into a classic beige raw silk sherwani designed with cord, threadwork and zardozi detailing in layers paired with silk kurta and churidar, Navratna jewellery and a bedecked organza safa completing the traditional touch to the look. “This is the heaviest sherwani with layered embroidery styles and the look is inspired from traditional groom-wear,” said Sayantan.

8. An amalgamation of eastern and western style sensibilities, Riya brings out a casual-chic vibe to the traditional lehnga look in this silver-grey and pretty pink set of jacket, bustier and lehnga made of flat dupion silk designed with contemporary embroidery pattern, and asymmetrical layers. Grey-smokey eyes, silver shimmer and light pink lips added a drama of colour-play to the look. “This is a more contemporary take on the traditional lehnga design, perfect for the Sangeet or Tilak functions in a wedding,” said Sayantan.

9. Priyanshu sported a natty look in this raw silk midnight blue achkan designed with tone-on-tone threadwork embroidery and antique silver zardozi work all over paired with a blue kurta and slim-fit trouser. “This is a perfect groom’s wear for the Sangeet day,” said Sayantan. Kutubuddin looked dapper in an off-white raw silk bandhgala embroidered with pure antique gold zardozi, paired with katan silk kurta and churidar.

Pictures: Pabitra Das
Location: Basu Bati
Jewellery: Avama Jewellers
Shoes: Rohan Arora
Styling: Anupam Chatterjee
Make-up: Olivia Sinha Roy
Hair: Neel Sarkar
Models: Ushoshi Sengupta, Riya Bhattacherjee, Kutubuddin Sheikh and Priyanshu Thakur