Dressed To Impress

“Mostly it’s the bride who comes in and wants coordinated looks. Often,I end up designing the wedding ensembles for the whole family,” quips Sandhu. Her roll call of the rich and famous includes ladies from the Maharaja of Patiala’s family,for whom she drums up heavy-on- embroidery creations. “I love promoting antique embroideries and a royal look,” she says adding how NRI clients prefer vibrant colours and lots of bling.

Designer Babi Grewal agrees. One of the first to set up a studio in the swish Sector 8. “NRIs get most of their ideas from Bollywood and what actors wear on the red carpet. Long before the Anarkali silhouette was in vogue in India,I had NRIs asking for it. They seem to invest heavily in wedding wear and clothes they can wear for Indian functions abroad,” says Grewal. Priced at Rs 25,000 upwards,her creations are lined with gotta-patti and sequin work.

Another high-end store Samsaara,in the shopping arcade at Taj,Chandigarh,stocks sarees by designers like Rocky S,Satya Paul and Manish Malhotra. “We never anticipated that NRIs will purchase sarees. Nattily designed blouses are also popular with them. The more embellished ones are picked up first,” says Divya Kapoor Malhotra,manager of the multi-designer store.

California-based Debbie Gill,on a visit to India has a rather lengthy shopping list. “I purchased a pre-stitched saree last year. Now my American friends have asked me for some,” says Gill. Meanwhile,Navpreet Randhawa from Toronto is thrilled with her shoe-fling: she picked up a pair of golden stilettos for 20$. “One can shop online,but it makes more sense to shop in India. There is more variety,” said Randhawa.

However,not everyone prefers the glitter. Stylist Sohni Makkar notes that there is an increase in the number of customers who want understated,yet traditional Indian ensembles. “I design Punjabi Indian wear with an ethno-chic slant. Recently I have come across clients from the US and Canada,who have asked me for silks and tussar silk suits,” says Makkar,who has had customers offering a business proposition that will involve retailing of her clothes abroad.