Brides in Beige

When young designers like Varun Bahl and Gaurav Gupta tried their hand at it, they were dismissed as faux pas. A couple of years ago, not even the queen of bridal wear, Ritu Kumar, would have dreamt of making the bride wear anything other than red or at least orange or gold for the nuptials. But that seems to have changed if this year8217;s trends are anything to go by. Pastels are in, and how. At the Bridal Asia this year, a large number of designers showed collections that leaned heavily on pale cregrave;mes and beiges. Kumar has done an entire range in pastels, with colours as unusual as khaki and creme and dull browns. 8220;It8217;s because people are looking for a toned down sophisticated look, though that8217;s not to say that bright colours are out,8221; says Kumar. Even Varma8217;s bridal collection this season had a lot of emphasis on pastels. 8220;The aim is to have a metallic finish, like gold and silver in sensuous fabrics,8221; he says.

Contrast Mode

Contrasts are in. A lehenga in a lighter colour is teamed with a choli two shades darker or a pale bridal outfit is offset with a brilliant dupatta in bright hues. 8220;Light colours are in, but for weddings you can8217;t avoid them completely. So the best way is to combine both and create a textured look,8221; says designer Tazeen Hasan of Pakistan. Look out for kurtis and salwars in matching tones with a heavy dupatta.

Jewelled Tones

You have seen Tarun Tahiliani do it earlier. This year, the fad seems to have caught on with great gusto: add a piece of jewellery as embellishment on your choli and you have a style statement of your own. 8220;Even at weddings, I prefer the minimal look. I8217;d rather wear a gorgeous sari and no jewellery than be decked with heavy jewellery all over. A string of pearls or a jewelled strap on your choli is a great idea,8221; says socialite Ramona Garware, who walked the ramp for Surily Goel. Says Goel: 8220;I often have young clients saying they don8217;t want to wear too many neckpieces or look too dolled up at a wedding. I thought this worked well as a substitute,8221; she offers.

Perfect 10

The day of the demure bride is over, pronounces designer couple Shane and Falguni Peacock. 8220;Most of these young women work out and have superb bodies which they don8217;t mind showing off. So, even if a deep cleavage is out, a low back or an itsy-bitsy piece of choli is something that most of them don8217;t mind,8221; says Falguni. Suneet Varma too vouches for the lean, trim look. 8220;Earlier it was a one-off thing. I remember when I was doing the outfits for Vanisha Mittal8217;s wedding, I gave her a fitted look. There were few takers for it then but Vanisha carried it off beautifully because of her toned body and exposure to international couture. The trend8217;s arrived,8221; he says. The corset lives on. Halter blouses or off-shoulder blouses rule at sangeets and cocktail ceremonies alike. 8220;These are fun ceremonies, so the bride can let her hair down,8221; says Goel. The lehenga too has lost its voluminous form, being defined at the hips and flaring on the lower end, giving the bride a minimalist silhouette.

Fabric Story

Don8217;t think just satin and silk when it comes to bridal wear this year. For starters, the heavy dupattas with yarns and yarns of fabric have got a svelte makeover. Organza and tulle and fine net odhnis compliment heavy lehengas. Even saris have lame and tulle trimmings. If you have a heavy frame, this is right up your street, and for those who are in shape, this leaves you free from lugging around your trousseau. 8220;Since the colour palette is subdued, the emphasis is on a subtler and more seductive look. These fabrics drape well, which is why they fit in to the look so well,8221; says Dhaka. Just one thing to figure out, will it be beige or delicate fawn?

Pattern Check

It8217;s the season to be minimalist with embroidery. Ostentatious Mughal miniature painting or Kashmiri motifs have been heavily sidelined by a more rustic and simple look. 8220;The Kashmiri influx has worked itself out. People are trying to connect with their spiritual side, which is why the stress is on a streamlined look. The Paharis lead a simple life and it8217;s worked as a major inspiration,8221;says Goel. Agrees Ritu Kumar, whose collection this year is inspired by Pahari paintings of 17th century India. Earthy colours like terracotta and gheru find prominence. 8220;There8217;s stone work embellishments. Since the look is understated, the embellishments add sheen to it,8221; says Varma.