Wedding Diaries Season 3 from the stable of The India Story is all set to mesmerise Kolkatans on August 20 and 21at Raajkutir, Swabhumi. Ahead of the gala affair presented by Neotia Arts Trust in association with The Telegraph, we got a peek into the exclusive lookbook curated by the Wedding Diaries team with model Diti Saha. This year’s theme ‘The Joy of Small Things’ is explored in the lookbook through four primary looks based on the wedding functions — Mehndi, sangeet, wedding day and cocktail party. Rooted in Indian tradition and culture, the looks also amalgamate contemporary trends, creating picture-perfect portraits for the modern bride to take cues from.
The Telegraph chat with make-up pro Arti Nayar, who was part of the shoot team:
You grew up in Kolkata and now you are back in the city from Bombay and working here. How does it feel to be associated with the Wedding Diaries?
I feel it is really great. I was very happy when Madhu Neotia approached me for this. We sat and brainstormed and came up with many ideas. To see those ideas becoming a reality feels great. This is the first time I am doing something of this level in Kolkata. I am very excited and elated. I think the association is going to be amazing because I am a bridal make-up artist, too, besides being a celebrity make-up artist. I am very grateful to get a way to show my artistic talent and I think it is going to be amazing.
What was the idea behind the make-up lookbook for this shoot?
For every young woman, when she is doing any sort of research or referencing, she is doing it as per the function. So, when we decided the shoot and what the concept was going to be, I was very clear that I wanted it to be four distinct looks in terms of Mehndi, sangeet, wedding and cocktail. I think the whole point is when you look at an image, you want to look at it as a complete look with the jewellery and the hair. You don’t look at it individually as independent elements. When we were putting our team together in terms of the stylist, make-up artist and photographer, we were very sure that we wanted specific functions because the whole purpose is to give an array of designers and jewellery so that the bride knows exactly where to go and how to put it together. Not everybody can afford a stylist. So through this shoot we give an idea of what it can be. The whole approach of the shoot was that.
Can you walk us through the four make-up looks ?
Mehndis are always day functions and ninety-nine per cent of the time they are an afternoon-ish function continuing as an evening function. So, we kept the make-up really minimal, simple, pretty; just accentuated the facial features and gave her a beautifully flushed look. For sangeet, we obviously glammed up a little bit because it is a more glam evening function. Brides choose more traditional, glitter and glam for sangeet. For the wedding, I wanted a very modern option. I don’t think brides are opting for buns any longer. They are going for mathapattis and a more ethereal kind of beauty— minimal make-up and glowing skin. For cocktail, we can go super glam and sexy. So, we gave a messy ponytail and a sort of shine and shimmer to the eyes. We gave a velvety finish to the eyes. Cocktail is about dancing and having fun. That was the idea there.
What are some of the contemporary bridal make-up trends that brides can consider while planning the wedding ?
Keeping the hair open is a huge trend now definitely. A lot of brides want to push away from keeping the hair in a pulled-up style. For make-up, less is more. It is not that they are going for no make-up, instead they are going for a glam make-up and keeping it ethereal and modern in terms of approach to beauty. Not caking it up a lot.
What are the colour trends of the season for bridal make-up?
It is all very rose gold, pink blushes, bronze and flushed red and pink cheeks.
For the afternoon to evening sangeet look, Diti donned a classy and royal purple lehnga from Jayanti Reddy Label. The intricately embellished lehnga is contrasted with a yellow embellished dupatta, adding colour drama to the look. The polki jewellery and hair worn open enhance the elegance of the ethnic look.
The Telegraph BTS MOMENT FROM THE SHOOT:
Adorning the bride with the jewellery has always been looked upon as a special moment during the decking up process.This beautiful BTS moment was captured by The Telegraph camera, while the jewellery items were being tried on model Diti Saha during the shoot. (From left) Make-up artist Arti Nayar and Madhu Neotia, managing trustee, Neotia Arts Trust, check out the mathapatti look on Diti Saha.
Going by the popular Bollywood wedding trends, the present wedding day look is all about ditching the traditional red and maroon and opting for the contemporary favourite shades of ivory and white. The intricately woven outfit from Seema Gujral is glammed up with the trendy layering-style polki jewellery and balanced out with de-glam make-up and the hair comfortably worn open.
Diti cut a stunning frame in the sleek chantilly lace outfit from Rose Room complementing the body shape. It is detailed with crystal, cutdana and bead work embroidery adding to the glam quotient of the simple look. The comfortable look is apt for the brides to dance the night away. The fuss-free hairstyle and minimal jewellery add the classy touch to the cocktail evening look. Picture: Kunal Gupta
The Telegraph chat with stylist Diptee Agarwal, who styled the shoot:
You hail from Kolkata and are now juggling between Bombay and Kolkata for work. How does it feel to be associated with the Wedding Diaries?
I was excited. It is the first time I am associating with them and it is a very good experience with a lot of people working together. I have always wanted to do something fun in Kolkata. I love weddings and associating with such an event is really fun.
What was your idea behind the lookbook and can you take us through the looks?
We did four looks — wedding, cocktail, sangeet and Mehndi. For Mehndi, we wanted to do something fun and colourful. More like focusing on the weaves of India. So, we decided on a brocade lehnga. For the sangeet, we decided on a traditional look with the two contrasting colours, purple and yellow. For the wedding look, we wanted to do something very different. So, we decided on a white. People normally choose red, maroon or pink but we wanted to do a different look. We put together a stunning look with heavy polki jewellery and mathapatti on the head. For the cocktail, we wanted a fitted sleek gown that defines the posture and gives easy and fun vibes.
What are the present wedding style trends?
People don’t want to do the typical things anymore that they wanted to do before. They want to do minimal jewellery yet play a lot with clothes. Tonal things are in; earlier it was just contrasts.
Diptee Agarwal
Pictures: B. Halder
Jewellery: Surana Jewellery
Jayanti Reddy Label and Seema Gujral outfits sourced from: Ogaan India
Make-up and hair: Arti Nayar
Stylist: Diptee Agarwal
Model: Diti Saha