In a run-up to the festive and wedding season, it’s raining exhibitions in Tricity. Not just one every weekend but two at a time, in different corners of the city! And boy are we complaining? Nope.
Pakistani flavour
Riwaaz
This Indo-Pak fashion and lifestyle exhibition is put together by Glambiz; it brings together as many as 20 Pakistani exhibitors. The exhibition, inaugurated by actor Ali Khan and Anil Dhawan (David Dhawan’s brother), is likely to amuse those forever in search of or trailing the trends. There are countless suits — gota patti work, embroidered capes to be thrown over shararas or lehengas and even mirror-work. Some hunting will throw open options for everyone.
As for jewellery? There are stalls galore. “Jadau, kundan and polki jewellery are forever. It is part of Rajwada jewels, earlier worn only by royals,” shares Preeti Gaurav Wadhwa, from Daaj collection. There are ample stalls with unstitched lawn suits, and for those who may care to find out, in Rawalpindi style, Abbotabad style and Multani style.
Food court
While the women folk go and splurge, what do the rest do? Well, there’s food court to amuse anybody not interested in shopping. “There’s special mutton korma, chicken biryani, chicken korma and chicken seekh kebab to delight the non-vegetarian lovers,” shares Imran Ahmed, who is co-ordinating the food court.
(On at Kisan Bhawan—35, Chandigarh till August 28)
Neighbour’s magic
Nikaah
Seems like the Pakistani bug has bitten real hard! Praising the people of the country might invite legal troubles, but applauding and even emulating their fashion has always worked fine.
Yet another four-day, Indo-Pakistan wedding and lifestyle exhibition promises stuff from traditional to contemporary Pakistani-wear! Thrown in are stalls with Pakistani chappals, Punjabi juttis and of course jewellery. The fifth edition of the exhibition brings together 60 fashion designers. And yes gota patti, mirror work, aari embroidery, it’s all there, apart from a fair share of exhibitors from the city. “Nowadays, in Pakistan short shirts worn with crushed dupattas are trending. These need to be matched with cigarette pants,” opines designer Zubaida Aslam from Pakistan. Aaraish, a label from Islamabad, has brought collections strewn with Tarkashi work. Then there’s Multani embroidery.
(On till August 28 at Himachal Bhawan—28, Chandigarh) — Manpriya Singh