ARJAN DUGAL:
This is my first time at Wedding Diaries! I’m absolutely elated because Calcutta always has a brilliant response and it is where I started my career, so it definitely holds a special place in my heart. As far as expectations go, I know the organisers are absolutely fantastic at what they do so I’m just looking forward to a colourful and fantastic show. The showcase this time is going to be 50-50. The first 50 per cent is going to be what Arjan Dugal is known for and an evolution of that balance and 50 per cent is going to be something that is best left to the audience that comes to the show. I think let’s leave it a little suspenseful! Top tips: I would recommend brides and grooms not to match but to complement with hints and accents and undertones. I do believe this is true more so for grooms as the accessories teamed up with her outfit can sometimes become a little overbearing.
NACHIKET BARVE:
“I am looking forward to being a part of The Wedding Diaries this season. Bringing the festive collection to Calcutta for the first time, we are launching our new line ‘Lightness of Being’ at the showcase. It has a wide mix of contemporary Indian wear and Indo-Western looks for brides and the family. We are also showing men’s festive wear at the show. Brides and grooms as well as families want to dress in a way that’s sophisticated yet modern for their functions and for the ‘gram! There’s a return to intricate yet playful embellishments. I am bringing a gorgeous mix of pastels and ivory as well as bright colours for the season. Top tips: I recommend wearing your own style rather than following trends or celebrities as a template. Try new labels. Try to mix and match. Make your wedding personal and get personalised stuff designed so that there’s a uniqueness to your celebrations.
PROJECT BANDI:
This is our first time at Wedding Diaries and we are super excited to enter the Calcutta market and showcase our designs to a new audience. We have a careful curation of pieces that include bestsellers from previous collections and we will be showcasing our brand new festive collection, Amore, which will be launching in the coming weeks. Top tips: Don’t be afraid to experiment and put comfort at the forefront so you can have fun on your special day. We make sure to remind grooms that flowers aren’t for women only, so don’t be shy to embrace them in your ensemble.
FIZZY GOBLET:
It’ll be great to be back in Calcutta after a hiatus of a few years and really excited to be a part of the exhibition that celebrates the finest in Indian weddings! We are absolutely looking forward to showing our handcrafted designs and connecting and expanding our Fizzy G family. We have a diverse palette this time. You can expect exquisite shoes that are adorned with white pearls, intricate zari detailing, and sparkling styles, which are ideal for weddings. We’re also bringing our latest boho-inspired shoes that capture the essence of luxurious bohemian lifestyle with glass jewels, mirror-work, shells, beads, and feature fabrics including ikat and jacquard. Our latest playful and practical bags that can easily fit into your social calendar will also be a part of the exhibition. Top tips: Comfort is key! And, we have silhouettes and double-cushioned pairs that offer both comfort and style. Brides and grooms should also let their personal style and sensibility guide them, which is why we have different silhouettes and patterns that can complement diverse styles. If we have shoes that are embellished for maximalist styling, we also design shoes for a bride, who wants to keep it minimal. Select silhouettes based on the event. For example, for Sangeet, you can opt for a pair of juttis, in case you are planning on dancing, and for the main wedding function, you can choose bridal heels that work well with both saris and lehngas.
DR ISHAD AGGARWAL, DERMATOLOGIST AND AESTHETIC PHYSICIAN:
We are coming to the Wedding Diaries for the first time and expecting to meet a lot of brides and grooms who would obviously want to look exceptional for their wedding and I would want to guide them about skincare products and treatments. How about having skin that doesn’t need any makeup? We are getting to be in the dressing room (Sheesh Mahal), which in my opinion is a super niche idea. It gives us a safe space to interact with the brides and address their skincare-related queries. Top tips: Stick to as healthy a lifestyle as possible before the wedding. Cut down on junk food, sugar, smoking and vaping and let your skin be free of toxins. You don’t need a very complicated skin routine. Simple skincare is enough but it needs to be consistent. If you want to do certain skin treatments, then start early. Don’t do any treatments just before the wedding.
AYESHA AMIN NIGAM, STYLIST:
This is my first time in Calcutta and I am very excited to finally see Wedding Diaries in real time. Of course, I am excited to meet the brides and their families and help them out with their trousseau and wedding shopping. I would be there to help out anyone who has a wedding in their family or any special occasion and is looking to curate their wardrobes and trousseau for upcoming functions and experiment with some newer colours and silhouettes.
Top tips: My tip to brides and grooms would be that you should be comfortable at the end of the day. It is your party and your day, so just remember to wear something that will make you feel good and comfortable at the same time because that is what matters more than anything else.
IZZHAAR
Ruchita Bansal of Izzhaar, bespoke wedding invitation designing company:
We are a second-time participant at the exhibition — a wonderful platform to portray our bespoke collections of luxury wedding invites, gifts and luxury gourmet. We are expecting extensive exposure to showcase our exquisite invitation designs and engage with corporate professionals, including event planners, decorators, gifting solution companies and vendors. We are showcasing innovation that sets us apart from our competitors. We want to interact directly with potential clients who value luxury aesthetics and receive instant feedback from visitors. We are all set to get our vast range of opulent wedding invitations, corporate invitations, bespoke gifts, and luxuriously crafted gourmet sourced from across the country. Top tips: A wedding is the beginning of a beautiful shared journey, blending lives and forging new paths together. Cherish every occasion and showcase your love for each other with a gesture of gifting. Nothing can express your love and care for your partner better than an exquisitely tailor-made gift with a beautiful story woven around it.
What: Chivas Glassware presents The India Story Wedding Diaries, a Neotia Arts Trust initiative, in association with The Telegraph
Where: Swabhumi
When: August 26-27, 11am-9pm