Festive greetings

Anupama Dayal
A bygone era of romantic decadence came alive with Anupama Dayal’s first ever bridal collection. The designer presented regal,nawabi bridal fashions — shararas,anarkalis and lehengas,worked on with ikat,brocade and gota embroidery. Dayal seems to have given her all to the collection — the sincerity showed through in the painstaking work. Though a lot of it was very traditional compared to what we’d seen on the runway so far,we liked the muted luxury she presented.

Vijay Balhara
The modesty of the Victorian bride met the sensuality of the Indian bride in Balhara’s new collection. Lace dupattas,paired with velvet and tulle kurtas,and black organza dress paired with churidars — this was not a collection meant for more conservative sensibilities. Balhara did a commendable job of using Indian traditional works like Zardozi and dabka work,but we wish the collection had been a little less glittery. The Jaipur stone work almost out-dazzled the subtler beauty of the regal Mashru silk.

Nachiket Barve
Barve’s latest collection — the Magpie — was a riot of colours. Although,given the explosion of hues and tones,we would’ve suggested ‘Parakeet’ as a more appropriate name. But the designer’s collection stuck to the theme by drawing on ideas from anywhere and everywhere — Faberge egg motifs,Ukrainian paintings and tropical sunsets — and executed them in clothes that are artistic,yet eminently stylish and wearable. We especially loved the sari with its floral appliqué border — simple and trés chic.