SHABIHA NUR KHATOON
At one point of time it was a simple cloth for draping the demure silhouette of a beautiful Indian woman but today it has turned into a fashion statement adopting a plethora of new trends. Sarees have certainly revolutionised Indian fashion. How? Find out…
Indian bridal wear is usually splendid with flamboyant colours especially red and gold. But with changing times, the new-age brides are looking for designer wedding attires that break the traditional rules. Famous Indian designer Tarun Tahilani broke all rules launching his Indian bridal line in ivory and ebony.
Ramoli, a fashion designer, says, “Sarees suit everyone if perfectly carried and we can drape them for any occasion. Earlier, in marriages we saw the bride wearing the traditional saree, say, Banarsi or Kanjeevaaram. Earlier we didn’t have many varieties but today there are lots of options coming up as fashion has become an essential part of weddings.”
“Previously brides were mostly seen wearing sarees but today the style is changing. Lehengas and chic net-detail sheer sarees have taken centrestage. And the latest one in this league is the saree gown. It’s a saree-inspired-gown for those who want to style their wardrobe with avant-garde outfits. These are basically gowns that come with a “pallu”, and at times with stitched pleats. So, this new silhouette will look like a saree-cum-gown. Today people have become very conscious when it comes to their appearance in a public place. It is necessary to follow fashion but one shouldn’t follow it blindly. One should know what’s her comfort zone,” he suggested.
Amrita Beura, a professional, feels, “Marriage is a once-in-a-lifetime affair and no wonder the wedding attire should be special but not so gaudy that you can’t wear it again. In my opinion, the traditional saree has a different charm as it gives an aristocratic touch to the appearance. Not only the designs have changed but we have also embraced new shades to give the old ones look fresh. Many non-traditional colours like cobalt blue, emerald green, mauve are becoming popular among Indian brides these days. While sarees are getting redefined by fashion designers, contemporary twists are especially in demand.”
Beautician Debadutta Kunar says, “Traditional sarees unleash feminine grace. In Orissa, these days we are seeing a North Indian spin on most bridal wears. As the fashion industry is growing very fast women have ample of options to look forward to on their D-day.”
City based fashion designers Debashis Kumar Mohanta is of the view that “One shouldn’t shy away from breaking the bank for getting dressed for marriage. After all such occasions are rare in one’s life. Sarees are the safe bet for Indian weddings. While selecting it is essential to take in to account your body type, weight and skin colour. Select one which will make you look completely stunning on your D-day.”
He adds, “Fashion keeps on changing. While sarees have evolved, the way of draping has also got a lot of twists. Sarees of different texture, patterns and designs are available in many places. Fabrics like Sambalpuri silk and Assam silk are never out of fashion. Zardosi and brocade work are also in vogue. Lehengas have introduced a new style of draping. Others like Maharashtrian, Bengali, butterfly, rajrani, Mumtaz style draping are also garnering popularity.”
