December 20, 2017
LEHENGA – LOVE
The love story with lehengas continues this wedding season but with a twist, says Sushmita Biswas
So you thought the wedding buzz is all about budget brides? Think again. A top trend for the wedding season is a no-holds barred opulent look. The bride too isn’t thinking twice of getting the best of bridal-dressing. And what’s a lavish wedding without a regal lehenga and traditional jewellery. For some design inspiration take cues from Anushka Sharma’s dreamy wedding with Virat Kohli in Italy where she chose to wear a Sabyasachi lehenga in vintage English colour or a Banarasi hand-embroidered lehenga worn by actress Sagarika Ghatge on her wedding with Zaheer Khan. Word of caution: while it is good to seek inspiration from celebrities, be ready to modify the design to suit your body.
Here’s looking at the hottest Indian designers who have conjured up lehenga looks that are unconventional yet steeped in tradition.
Sabyasachi Mukherjee
If you have dreamt to deck up in a Sabyasachi opulent line there’s ‘The Udaipur Collection’ that has his signature designs with a decadent old world charm. For brides who love eye-soothing shades, opt for easy breezy chiffon lehengas for smaller functions like mehndi or sangeet or giant printed florals on lehengas from his ‘Pardesi Phool’ series to give you that dreamy look. For a slight Victorian touch, his gorgeous organza lehengas in pastel shades with matching Vienna blouses will make you go weak in the knees. For a more opulent look on your wedding day, settle for red lehenga bursting with intricate work with a sweetheart neckline.
Tarun Tahiliani
Tarun Tahiliani’s ‘Tarakanna’ line has lehengas which are super light and comfortable in pastel shades to brighter hues of reds, pinks and sunset oranges traditionally worn by brides to the pheras. Tahiliani has used heavy embroideries like gota work, threadwork and sequin embellishments on his bridal lehengas. His trademark is all in place from the use of gossamer fabrics like tulle to Chantilly lace embellished with Swarovski crystals.
Manish Malhotra
Manish Malhotra’s work has always taken inspiration both from traditional Indian fashion and western styles. His wedding couture line is a true east meets west line of lehengas teamed with glamorous cholis. Interesting cholis feature in his line which at times becomes a bold corset or bustier and at times a heavily bejewelled peplum top. His A-line lehengas comes without embellished with polka or zardosi. If you are looking to add a bit of drama, opt for a lehenga choli with gorge feathers along the neckline or a crimson lehenga with a silk and feathery poncho.
Nachiket Barve
Barve is inspired by Greek goddesses in his bridal line titled Theia. The colour palette ranges from deep indigo, burgundy, black, splashes of gold, mustard and pewter. If you are looking for lehnga inspiration for mehndi function, Barve recommends design that will reveal the best features of the bride – shoulders, neck or waist. Opt for multi-layered scalloped skirt lehenga teamed with a sheer cape on your wedding day.
So what is your lehenga moment in 2018?
Sushmita Biswas
Sushmita Biswas, is a journalism professional with 15 years of work experience in Indian media houses including The Telegraph and Hindustan Times. Have commendable reporting and editorial skills on varied subjects like films, fashion, health, beauty, lifestyle, culture, travel and entertainment.
She interviews people from various walks of life — actors, directors, chefs, authors, start-up founders, festival organizers, human resource managers and even sportspersons. Her key strengths include well-researched lifestyle and human interest articles.