In crimson glory

Manpriya Singh 

The bride is modern, gypsy, free-spirited, traditional, elegant…of all the things that a bride is; she is the muse. With designers ready to dress her back in red. Meanwhile, the bride is free to touch the sky, next minute feel the roots. The recently closed presentations at the India Couture Week had every option for the asking — gowns in powder blues or lehengas in traditional hues! 

Want red? No worries! 

Burgundy, maroon, oxblood, blood, scarlet, crimson—as long as it is red. With nine out of the total 11 showcasing designers’ collection comprising at least one outfit in red, looks like the fascination for grand old hue is back. The colour featured prominently in collections by designers Reynu Taandon, Anita Dongre, and duo Rimple and Harpreet Narula while Manish Malhotra and Rohit Bal kept their palette deepest of maroon, 

So much so that two of the star showstoppers, Deepika Padukone (for Manish Malhotra) and Kangana Ranaut (for Manav Gangwani), turned heads in maroon. 

Ivory, black, blue & flowers 

While Rohit Bal’s collection was inspired by Russia, Reynu Taandon’s by Rajasthan; little wonder, both kept their palette rich and deep. Amidst the sea of oranges and reds; black and ivory are not far behind. “I was overwhelmed by the incredible treasures and the excesses of what was once, perhaps, the richest and most glamorous royal regimes the world has ever seen,” said Rohit Bal of his collection Kehkashaan—The Return of Opulence. Varun Bahl floral fantasy in pastel hues, white outfits comprising elements of lilies and sheer fabric, was a visual relief from bejeweled shows and fiery tangerines seen on other days. “Since the collection Begum-e-Jannat is inspired by the opulence of the Mughal Era, it had to have rich deep hues of ivory, black, bottle green, navy and maroon.” 

One for the grooms 

Brocades and velvets feature prominently in menswear with very little experimentation in silhouettes, whatsoever. However, men wanting to match the brides in maroon, black or midnight blues, designers Rimple & Harpreet Narula and Rohit Bal, listed options galore.  

Bright brocade sherwanis with gold patterns atop, black velvet jackets with gold thread work, matching turbans and achkans are what men can look for. 

On the sidelines 

There’s a lot else that accidentally goes onto set the trend at any given fashion week. Bejewelled headbands, brooches, mirror work cholis, ruffles (seen prominently in Manav Gangwani’s collection) made an appearance that was hard to miss. 

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