With just a few minutes to go for the highlight event of The India Story Wedding Diaries, a Neotia Arts Trust initiative and presented by Chivas Glassware, in association with The Telegraph, at Swabhumi on Saturday, Madhu Neotia, managing trustee, Neotia Arts Trust, looking lovely in a Dev R Nil drape, had last-minute instructions for her ‘troop’, right from where her phone had to be placed for the live recording to running a final check to see if everything was in order. The show’s choreographer, a dazzling Indrani Dasgupta Paul, had taken her position behind the console. RaasManch, the venue, was buzzing, with camaraderie and anticipation.
Soon after, the new-age ramp designed by Sonia Guha came alive to the parade, to the DJ’s beats. Over 30 minutes, the guests enjoyed designs by Not So Serious by Pallavi Mohan, Faabiiana and Seema Gujral, complemented by jewellery from Rawat Jewels, Falguni Mehta and Thakorlal Hiralal. The beautiful girls walked amidst the audience and Indrani’s choreography gave us a closer look at the designers’ creations. Make-up pro Abhijith Chanda kept the looks simple and subtle. A seasoned Pujan Kapur Sharma took care of the backstage.
An album.
SEEMA GUJRAL X THAKORLAL HIRALAL
The veteran designer sent out a line of neutrals. Think ivory, nude, champagne, silver and gold. There were lehngas, separates and gowns. The choli got sexier. We loved the ivories; so meditative. There was a hint of metallics too. While a couple of lehngas, in silver and gold, were blingy chic, many of her pieces had a subtle sheen.
Thakorlal Hiralal brought out their custom-created pieces as well as lighter, ready-to-wear fine jewellery, embellished with diamonds, rubies, emeralds and pearls, to complete the looks.
FAABIIANA X FALGUNI MEHTA
Faabiiana’s collection was all about vibrant Indianwear teamed with statement jewellery from Falguni Mehta. The rusts, yellows, pinks and the bold zari spelt dopamine. Traditional yet modern was the vibe. The label showcased its festive collection and pret line, great for a Mehndi or Sangeet. There was bandhni on jackets, saris, lehngas and dupattas. And, you could dress up or down the crushed lehngas.
Falguni Mehta mixed up traditional and modern inputs when it came to the jewellery she showcased. There was hand-done jewellery in 18 and 22-carat gold with uncut diamonds.
NOT SO SERIOUS BY PALLAVI MOHAN X RAWAT JEWELS
Pallavi Mohan showed a glitzy line comprising glam gowns and flirty dresses. Romantic was the mood with primarily softer shades being sent on the ramp. The designs came embellished with sequins, feathers and embroidery, in styles cute and feminine. There was drama in the exaggerated sleeves and trails. Capes and jackets added an element of the dressy. Polki and fine precious coloured stones from Rawat Jewels was a cool fusion.
“What I try and design is just not occasion-based. If you wear a heavy beaded skirt, you could wear a cotton poplin shirt or T-shirt. Every look we had could be styled up or made casual chic. You can wear them with sneakers or heels. Itis up to your comfort zone. It’s from day to night, afternoon to evening,” Pallavi later told The Telegraph.
Pallavi also showcased kidswear with the little divas owning the ramp. “The kids were amazing and confident. It is amazing how boys and girls are so much more grown-up than what we were as children,” smiled Pallavi.
(L-R) Falguni Mehta, Avika Mehta, Pranay Mehta ( from Thakorlal Hiralal), Madhu Neotia, Indrani Dasgupta Paul, Puja Rawat, Shefali Rawat Agarwal, Kunal Rawat and Pallavi Mohan, took a bow, postshow.
Harsh and Madhu Neotia. “I thought the show was spectacular and when Indrani is doing anything, you always have the full confidence that she will deliver. There will be a wow factor. It was beautifully mounted with beautiful music. The mood was lovely and the stage was a perfect setting for a fashion show like this,” said Madhu. She looked back at her journey and how far she had come, fondly. “There are so many things that I want to do, add, subtract. I have a long way to go and I don’t want to become stagnant. Let’s see how I reinvent myself. I have a great team and it’s a pleasure to work with them,” she smiled.
(L-R) Mallika Kalwani, Parthiv Neotia and Shashwat Goenka. “The kind of stuff everyone had out there was phenomenal, especially, loved Seema Gujral’s designs,” said Shashwat.
Madhu and Paroma Neotia. “I think it was all things beautiful and showcased the autumn-winter wedding styles and I hope I can find something for myself (for brother Parthiv’s wedding),” said Paroma.
This frame spelt ‘we are family’. Indrani Paul Dasgupta was cheered on by husband Karan Paul and kids Uma Kismat Paul and Kabir Anand Paul. “I thought the show was fabulous. Everything that Madhu does and Indrani does is completely close to my heart. There were designers I had not seen before and there were friends like Pallavi (Mohan) and friend’s mother as well... Ashray’s (Gujral) mother Seema Gujral,” smiled Karan. #howadorable
Madhu Neotia and Raj Mahtani. “It was beautifully done, the clothes were lovely and the jewels were lovely. It’s what you expect for a gathering like this,” said Raj.
(Clockwise from left) Pooja Goenka and Manjri Agarwal, Rohan Arora, Kallol Datta and Nil; Dev; Siddharth Kothari; Abhilasha Sethi; Avishek Dalmiya with wife Shalini.