Ace couturiers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla will be launching their new couture bridal collection at JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity on July 21. With new trends emerging in marriages regularly, the time is right for the Mumbai-based designer duo – pioneers in couture with a Bollywood sensibility – to showcase a dream wedding collection that would inspire those ready to take marriage vows.
How can the big fat Indian wedding, which usually entails clothes for a big entourage of relatives besides the bride and the groom, be celebrated with all its inherent complexities, grandeur and within deadline? The designers think they have a few answers.
“To make clothes for so many people is a challenge, but we are right there. Our show would have a pan-India representation as Abu and I have worked across the country. People would see a lot of zardozi, brocade, Banarasi and khadi,” says Sandeep Khosla in a telephonic interview.
Excerpts:
On how their show will be exclusive in terms of presentation
Basically we have created fantastic fantasy wedding which can be celebrated and wrapped up in a limited time. We would have changing sets, special music, fantastic food and outstanding hospitality which we would be put all out there during the show. Rather than a sober affair, it would be a fun wedding where everyone would be part of the celebrations. It would be more than a show; people would feel like they have dropped in at somebody’s fashionable, beautifully curated, decor wedding. The idea is to tell people that it is not really difficult to have such special weddings.
On the kind of garments people would get to see
We will have bridal outfits like the ghaghra and a Western outfit with crystal embroidery that gives a Parisian look. A special touch will be given to the sari. The bride will look totally distinctive. We have done a lot of work on concept saris. Sonam Kapoor has been wearing our concept saris for the past three-four years at Cannes.
On completing 25 years of chikankari
Chikankari is all about detailing, beauty and that is what we love about it. It takes six to eight months to make just one piece and the best part is that it is all handmade. We have created a whole range of chikankari for the show. We have done embroidery over chikankari; this is the methodology we have applied in the past. But this time round we have also incorporated pearls and Swarovski crystal elements.
On the white sari being their favourite
Right from the time when we started our partnership 31 years ago, Abu and I have a passion for this colour. When we started off, people would never wear white; it was supposed to be a colour of mourning.
We changed people’s perception towards white. On the forefront of this change was Jaya Bachchan who would wear our off-white sari. Soon it became a trend. We moved white from implying simplicity to luxury in fashion.
On the Bachchan family being unofficial brand ambassadors
The Bachchan family has been very close to us. We have been fortunate that they have been wearing our clothes for many years. When Jaya saw our first collection, she loved it and we became friends. Her kids grew right before us. Amitabh Bachchan has been very kind; he has been wearing our clothes in a way that we couldn’t have asked better than that.
He carries colour very well and he loves colourful attire. He is among the few men who can look good in colours.
Aishwarya Rai wore our creation at Cannes this year. It was a maroon gota outfit with gold embroidery.
On being passionate about showcasing the Valley on garments
We would be premièring our Made in Kashmir collection in this show by focusing on embroidery. We are collaborating with a Kashmiri NGO at the moment.
On putting across their views democratically
Initially, Abu and I don’t agree on our clothes. He comes up with an idea and I come with mine.
We first disagree and then help each other. Finally one of us says, ‘okay let’s do it like this’. It is about quality, diversity and beauty.
‘Unforgettable experience’
According to Khushnooma Kapadia, Area Director of Marketing – South Asia for Marriott International Inc., the endeavour behind the collaborative event is to create a wedding experience that is superlative in its offerings be it food, venue settings, decor and service levels. “We pride ourselves in excelling on all the necessary parameters to provide a wedding experience that is unforgettable. Shaadi by Marriott, our wedding brand, is exactly that - a promise of faith, trust, quality and value. Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla embody all of the above and hence we couldn’t look beyond partnering with anyone else.”