After the megalithic shows from Day 1, the tone and expectations had been set for this week. Last night saw three shows: Meera & Muzaffar Ali, and a duo show of Rina Dhaka and Jyotsna Tiwari.
First up was the beautiful and multi talented couple Meera & Muzaffir. They are known for their delicate hand, using gota and zardozi to create ethereal and gentle looking ensembles. Their revered pastel and ivory palette was back this season, with the lightness balanced by layering and traditional paneling. They highlighted an intangible rich elegance with carefully selected pearl and polki jewelry, which they framed with signature sheen striped borders.
Above are my favourite looks – I love the crop top layered over the kurta on the left. Their silhouettes haven’t changed much, and why should they? This classic style has worked for eons and continues to be relevant.
Pearl of the Orient was a fitting title for their typical assortment of lehenghas, shararas, saris and choghas. Patrons of the Awadhi culture would have been proud. I thought this light peach hue below was stunning:
When we asked what bride they had in mind for this season, their answer was their friend’s daughters, many of whom are set to be married this coming year.
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Meera & Muzaffir have a large and very loyal consumer base that trusts them with restoring/recreating family heirlooms and vintage brocades. Their standout quality as designers is their rapport with clients, and the ability to interpret idyllic visions parents often have for their soon-to-be-married children. It is with this romanticism in mind that I’ll move on to my two final favourites of the show, both of which were just to die for.
The second half of the evening was dedicated to Rina Dhaka and Jyotsna Anjana (who’s husband, Vijay Singh, is the man behind this bridal week).
The set up was dramatic, with mirrored flooring and multicoloured, flea-market-
Design veteran Rina Dhaka showed first, with a series of fun and very playful looks. The concept of bridal couture was definitely and completely reinvented. Patti, kamdani, lattice, jali and karchob works were all all panelled and layered together with endless volume in hyper flared skirts and pants. The pallete was accentuated by stark contrasts: nudes and ecrus were paired with fuschia, bright yellows and almost flouro pinks. Prateik Babbar and Amyra Dastur were the playful show stoppers, while Sophie Choudry‘s appearance was more mature and graceful.
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Prateik & Sophie Interviews
This was followed by Jyotsna Tiwari, who brought a strong vintage Hollywood sensibility. Jewel tones were justly represented with exaggerated peplums and waist clinching corsets. It felt quite moulin rouge with open centre slit skirts layered over tapered pants and fan like skirts. I loved the blouse cuts and simple skirts which just oozed sexy.
Showstopper Jacqueline Fernandez embodied the collection with her seductive smile and playful nature, twirling for the cameras to bring the day’s festivities to a close.
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Asli Jacqueline Interview
More Photos:
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Pix: Yogen Shah for MissMalini