Happily, Ever After
Anamika Khanna installation for FDCI India Couture Week 2017, is an amalgamation of the various rituals of the Indian wedding, and the clothes relevant to them. As we delve into the historical references, we notice the bride is new age, educated, modern and with a mind of her own.
“THE WELCOME LUNCH”
The customary welcome of the guests in a wedding is usually the first function and is almost a “warming up” to the celebrations. The collection is ethereal and romantic, yet eclectic and experiments with border shapes. The colours remain pastel, ranging from Ivory to Washed blues, Jades and beautiful Pinks. The embellishment ranges from thread work to various techniques of zardozi.
THE MEHNDI
The “mehndi” in any India wedding is where we bring out colour, craft and tradition in full glory. Enough room to experiment, the silhouettes range from the traditional “Lehenga”, the “Sharara”, right upto the quintessential “Draped Sari”. The colours, the use of bolder, emergence of Mustard, deep Indian Purples, Corals and Reds. The embellishments used are essentially the “gota”, “old kinaris”, “dori work” and burnished gold and silver work. There may be colour, cut and embellishment in plenty, but there is an elegance of heritage and crafts.
THE COCKTAIL
Traditionally the sangeet and now a full-blown cocktail party, she brings out the madness in total form. Fringing fuchsia and emerald organzas; burning out the zardozi to black, beating silver metal, experimenting with tassels and beadwork. Essentially a courageous space, where the bride and her friends look at the west for inspiration. We mix both worlds! The idea is to let your hair down.
THE WEDDING
Serious Zardozis, the finest hand works, the traditional Benarsis, the classic Indian “Lehenga”. Pinks, Ivorys, Purples, Reds, and a hint of Orange. The beautiful “veil” and the traditional “choli” to the “bandhgala” blouse, this story respects where we belong, the culture we embody, and ensembles, that are meant to be preserved for life.
