National in its seventh edition, the first leg of BMW India Bridal Fashion Week 2015 held in Delhi between 7^th and 11^th August extended the legacy of ‘precision, aesthetics, and craftsmanship’ that BMW upholds in its brilliant automotive engineering to a dazzling array of bridal couture. The glamorous event was a celebration of spectacular bridal couture to foreground the very idea of ‘creativity breeds joy’ that BMW holds itself accountable to provide to its cherished clientele.

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The next leg of the event is going to transpire in Hyderabad between the 3^rd and 6^th of next month, followed by a celebration in Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai close on the heels, extending the glam and glitz up until October. The participating designers for the fashion extravaganza this year with their creative excellence in bridal couture include the who’s who of the fashion industry – Abu Jani, Sandeep Khosla, Anita Dongre, Ashima Leena, Falguni Shane Peacock, Gauri Nainika, JJ Valaya, Jyotsna Tiwari, Rina Dhaka, Shantanu Nikhil, Suneet Varma & Tarun Tahiliani.

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Announcement event

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Announced at the Taj Palace in Delhi, the event saw the collaboration of the new BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé on the big platform, with BMW being the title sponsor, joined by Swarovski as a Fashion partner. The evening saw former beauty queen Sarah Jane Dias, looking gorgeous in a red gown as the gracious host and the Dabangg Sonakshi Sinha as the showstopper.

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Sonakshi, who has been a part of IBFW in its earlier editions, is the brand ambassador for this year’s national edition of the India Bridal Fashion Week. On being the face of the show, a jubilant Sona exclaimed,

“I have walked the ramp for multiple shows at BMW India Bridal Fashion Week in the past and I must say I have been in awe of the scale and grandeur of each show and the beautiful designs that are showcased by each designer. I’d like to thank Fashion One and BMW India for giving me the opportunity to represent this amazing platform and I’m now eagerly looking forward to the fashion week so I can be a part of the magic once again.”

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According to Mr. Vijay Singh, Founder & MD, Fashion One International, it’s been six years to India Fashion Week and it’s going to be the best fashion week, what with BMW and Swarovski taking to the next level of association with the lovely designers to bring more grandeur to the event and make the best show.

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Commenting on this association, Mr. Vivek Ramabhadran, Managing Director, Swarovski Professional India said,

“Swarovski will create a new path-breaking phase in couture embellishment. Swarovski will also provide a working canvas of new innovations for the couturiers to create elegance & opulence. It would also provide us with a platform to highlight their new ingredient brand ‘Crystals from Swarovski’.”

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Day 1

The BMW India Bridal Fashion Week kick started with a spectacular opening show by designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. And why wouldn’t it, when the beloved bride of the nation – a true fashionista, both on- and off-screen – scorched the ramp in a blazing gold and black number. Yes, Sonam Kapoor it was – a favorite of the designer duo – who made an opulent entrance at the BMW India Bridal Fashion Week in a black multi paneled net flared gown detailed in gold & mirror with three dimensional lotuses embellished with Swarovski crystals.

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Needless to add, the way this ‘Dolly’ sashayed in the gorgeous gown was a delight to watch. Among the spectators taken by surprise were Mrs. Jaya Bachchan, Shweta Nanda Bachchan, Dimple Kapadia, and Rinke Khanna. True to the theme of bridal couture, weddings and the ‘new beginning’ they symbolize, Lana Del Ray crooned ‘will you still love me when I am no longer young and beautiful’ in the background.

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The ensuing collection was an homage to the magical mystic of Varanasi with elegant modish touches. As the song changed to ‘waqt ne kiya, kya haseen sitam,’ and Sonam left the ramp, models in peaches, greys, lots of frills, flowy dresses, and strappy gowns with lots of Swarovski glitters walked in, making the ramp an eye-catching place of breathtaking  grandeur. The attire for men wasn’t devoid of the glitz and glam either. Tall, handsome models streamed in, looking lovely in colorful salwars with an intricate work of Swarovski. As more creations were sported by models who walked the ramp with style and panache, the colors, lights, and reflection of Swarovski elements evoked fire, water, earth, and moon elements while the panels of brightness with some mantras on lehengas and surya motif graced the couture with the power of divine of the sacred holy peace. The collection was mesmerizing in its heart-picked mix of patterns, the zardozi, the brocade, the mirror work, and even, the colors!

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Sonam ended this spectacular show with a ruby red 10 kilo-net ghagra embroidered with gold metallic beads and Swarovski crystals, teamed with a blouse with big golden beads on it stylized with simple red dupatta draped in layers edged with a gold koran lace border on the head. And as is obvious, the diva rocked it as a blushing, beaming, bubbling (even dancing!) bride as Ellie Goulding’s “Love me like you do”  played in the background.

Day 2

The next day of BMW India Bridal Fashion Week 2015 saw designer duo Ashima and Leena Singh’s ‘Dakshna’ range weave some South Indian magic on the ramp. Beginning with a traditional Kuchipudi dance performance, the ramp in Delhi suddenly transformed into a Southern haven. The stage, set up like a mandap with mogra flowers decorated at the ceiling, lit up with a Kuchipudi dance performance, choreographed by Padma Bhushan award winners Raja Reddy and Radha Reddy, at the DLF Emporio.

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Designed to integrate the purity and serenity of temple worship, the 18-ensemble collection consisting of lehengas and saris in bright and contrasting colors like indigo, crimson, beige, fuchsia, marigold orange, emerald green, black and gold in net, organza and adorned with south silk brocades, and semi-precious jewels evocative of the Southern temples, took ‘nine to ten months’ of research, Leena told the media.

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The event also saw the faces of Ramola Bachchan, Suneet Varma, and Alpana Gujral.

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Also, featuring Tarun Tahiliani’s ‘Our Eclectic New World’ collection which saw the Queen actress Lisa Haydon turn up for her designer friend as a delicate, dazzling muse in a bronze embellished gown despite her ill health, the second day was a whirl of real eclectic mixes. Speaking on the same, Lisa said,

“Yes I have fever. But sometimes you can’t leave people in the lurch. You have to do it. Everything that has gone out had my name on it. I had to show up. I would never let him down. We are very good friends.”

Reminiscing on the days of her connection, she added,

“He was the first designer I shot with when I moved back to India from Australia. We have been friends since I was nobody and he was what he is now. He worked with me in spite of that. It has been years. He is a mentor and we talk about everything, not just work.”

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Tahiliani’s collection drew inspiration from ancient India and was a spirited mix of silk French knots, jaali-work, tiny pearls, and minuscule Swarovski crystals. The silhouettes ranged from statement lehengas, jackets, dramatic corsets, lehenga-sarees, and party-ready kurtas. The jackets had an elaborate lining of charmeuse satin printed with a secret befitting the wearer a Mughal-inspired motif of a procession of elephants. The collection saw a varied color palette – gold, ivory, jade, red, cobalt, soft blush, powder blue, and black.

Speaking of his line, the inspired designer said,

“I feel there is an overdose of everything now. We are going over the top with the bridal wear. So, we should be low key and go back to basics. That is what I did this time.”

Day 3

The fashion gala continued on Day 3 at the BMW India Bridal Fashion Week 2015 with designer JJ Valaya mesmerizing the audience with his enticing collection ‘The Bolshoi Bazaar’ that brought together a cultural mix of elements from Russia and India. Speaking on his collection, the ace designer said,

“It’s an Indian collection with a kiss of Russia… clearly infusing two rich cultures and doing something together which speaks its own language.”

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By matching the Indian sensibility with foreign influences, the designer aims to keep the fashion fluid, and avers,

“I always mix influences… the last time was Morocco in India, and the year before that was the Maharaja of Madrid. So, India remains constant, and every other part keeps moving.”

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With as many as 45 ensembles from saris, sherwani, jackets, and anarkalis teamed with churidars and embellished belts to novel dresses, the collection’s highlight was the use of headgears. While the male models looked suave, donning the ‘Ushanka’ or the traditional Russian ear hat teamed up with their sherwanis, the female models wore unique headgear designed under the name ‘Valliyan’ by Nitya Bajaj Arora. These headgears had a visible Czarist influence.

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Valaya’s line was created by using signature weaves, crepes, georgette, and other fine fabrics with techniques like digital printing, appliqué, and Valaya’s signature embroidery. And the magic of the line was further enhanced by the setting. Set against several backdrops from a digitally created clear sky to the atmosphere of a mild snowfall, created with the help of a fog machine to a blazing blizzard, and back to clear skies again, the collection was gripping and breathtaking in its exotic verve, lovely mixes, and a fusion that was astoundingly original and unique.

Valaya’s show was attended by designers like Manish Malhotra, Rohit Bal, and entrepreneur Suhel Seth, who took front row seats.

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Day 4

Designers Shantanu and Nikhil made Day 4 at the BMW India Bridal Fashion Week 2015 a real ‘mahal’ with their ‘Mahal Brides’ collection.

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Glowing in a variegated selection of reds, gold, oranges, and even blue, the models sporting the designer duo’s line were looking every bit the ‘jharokha’ inspired brides of royal bearing. The majestic and grand silhouettes were woven in layered gowns, mermaid attires, and even plunging necklines.

Day 5

The grand finale of the BMW India Bridal Fashion Week 2015 saw the same designer who brought the curtains down at the event last year stealing the show.

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Suneet Varma is the man we talk of, who had the audiences spellbound with his extravagant creations last year. The man who dressed the Queen of the nation, Kangana Ranaut, in an exquisite outfit last year, has something great planned for the finale this year.

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Visibly enthused, the excited designer exclaims,

“I am super excited to be doing the finale at the BMW India Bridal Fashion Week. It promises to be the most important and extravagant Bridal couture event for the Indian Wedding market. The very fact that international brands are backing Indian Couture tells the relevance of the bridal market for India. As the finale designer I wish to create something extravagant, surprising and lavish, very much in tune with the Suneet Varma experience our shows usually bring.”

And we sure are holding our breaths and waiting!

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