Journalism of Courage
Showcasing her Epic Love collection at the FDCI India Couture Week (ICW) 2016 on the second day of the five day fashion gala here at the Taj Palace on July 21, Anita Dongre mesmerised the audience with her bright, gota patti infused creations. (Text: IANS/Photo: APH Images)
The designer, who recently added her creation for Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton to her portfolio, nfused magic into the air with her Epic love collection where the young gypsy bride was the muse for the collection. The collection was a luxury Bohemian collection of Indian bridal wear meant for the new age spirited bride, where the chintz-inspired prints brought alive a Mughal garden in its full bloom. (Text: IANS/Photo: APH Images)
(Text: IANS/Photo: APH Images)
Colour palette being golden infused with hues of cream, rusts, browns, reds and pink and muted blue, the collection had the ethnic, rustic and soothing look about them. (Text: IANS/Photo: APH Images)
With fusion music creating an earthy background, the vintage, Mughal era inspired saris, long skirts, different styles of blouses, dupattas, achkans and kurtas for men, the ensembles exuding elegance wrapped in tradition had the touch of gota patti, dabka, and phulkari used in perfect balance. (Text: IANS/Photo: APH Images)
"Our muse - the young gypsy princess - is free-spirited, yet embraces tradition in her own special way... Traditional styles like the lehenga choli and sari are reinvented in contemporary silhouettes," said Dongre. (Text: IANS/Photo: APH Images)
According to Dongre, bridal look is not “over-the-top” any more. She says nowadays women like to wear traditional outfits with a “casual edge”. (Text: IANS/Photo: APH Images)
“Today, young Indian girls like to wear traditional outfits with a casual edge. We do a lot of printed lehengas with pockets,” Dongre told IANS in an email interview from Mumbai. (Text: IANS/Photo: APH Images)
“Even if you are all decked up as a bride, your personal style should always shine through. It’s not about doing an over-the-top look anymore,” she added. (Text: IANS/Photo: APH Images)
The designer, who is not only a celebrated name in the Indian fashion industry but also successful entrepreneur believes that a “bride must look like herself, just more beautiful on her special day. She should feel like a princess, light on her feet, who dances at her own wedding”. (Text: IANS/Photo: APH Images)
“Designers are getting more lavish with Indian craftsmanship, the traditional weaves, gota patti, zardozi and heirloom crafts,” she said. (Text: IANS/Photo: APH Images)
Dongre feels “lehenga and sari are here to stay”, as designers keep reinventing them. There is a perception that when it comes to grooms, there is not much one can experiment with. But Dongre has a different opinion. (Text: IANS/Photo: APH Images)
Dongre said that Indian men are “a lot more open to experimenting with their looks today”. (Text: IANS/Photo: APH Images)
“Comfort and casualness still remain a priority though. Stitched dhotis paired with long kurtas, bandhgalas, shirts and bandis… Each silhouette can be a part of the groom’s wardrobe. When styled well, they look modern yet very Indian,” Dongre added. (Text: IANS/Photo: APH Images)
Dongre says the Indian fashion industry is evolving with pret coming of age and designers waking up to its global popularity. She feels “couture is all about bridal wear” in the country. (Text: IANS/Photo: APH Images)
“Pret is coming of age and designers are waking up to that. The pret market will only grow now because designer labels are coming into everyday wear and everyday pricing,” said Dongre. (Text: IANS/Photo: APH Images)
She also feels India must “wake up” to the trend of catering to women of all sizes. (Text: IANS/Photo: APH Images)
Talking about couture, she said: “Couture is all about bridal wear (here). Weddings are the only time people buy beautiful couture. It is a great time for designers to put the most lavish collections together.” (Text: IANS/Photo: APH Images)
And it won't be wrong to say that we are in love with her collection. (Photo: APH Images)
