Classical to futuristic

IBFW to unleash wedding wear treats

With a line-up of 11 designers, including a mix of names like the classical Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla and Tarun Tahiliani, as well as the trendier Falguni-Shane Peacock and Gauri-Nainika, the BMW India Bridal Fashion Week (IBFW) 2015, starting in New Delhi.

from Friday, will lure the capital's fashionistas with the best of bridal trends. Inspiration as varied as the rustic charm of Varanasi, and the charm of the French Riviera, and more, the designers will present their lines at the seventh edition of the BMW IBFW 2015 at the DLF Emporio mall in New Delhi.

The five-day fashion gala will be opened by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, known for designing ensembles for megastar Amitabh Bachchan and his family, and will be concluded by couturier Suneet Varma.

Vijay Singh, organiser of the IBFW, said: "We have a good line-up of designers like Tarun Tahiliani, JJ Valaya and what we have tried to do this year is that while on one side you have these (veteran) designers and the other side we have names like Gauri-Nainika, Shantanu-Nikhil, Falguni-Shane and Jyotsna Tiwari -- their collection is more trendy...so, you have a combination of designers.

"On one side you have the most acclaimed designers and then the next level of desigers are also very futuristic." The opening show by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla will feature an elaborate theatrical set that recreates the Varanasi ghats. And their collections are designed to showcase the rich legacy of silks, brocades, gold and silver thread work and carpet weaving.

On the contrary, designers Falguni-Shane, who have styled globally known names like Lady Gaga, Madonna and Britney Spears, will be showcasing a line called 'A French Rendezvous by Peacock Bride', which consists of a wide variety of silhouettes like voluminous and slim fit floor scraping gowns, dresses, bridal wear, saris, lehengas and sari-gowns.

"It draws inspiration from our recent trip to Cannes. We wanted to amalgamate French opulence with the ethnic roots of Indian art...(they) draw inspiration from the ancient intricate embellishment techniques of India and fuses it with the graceful silhouettes from the western lands," Falguni said.

Other names who will showcase their work include Ashima-Leena, Rina Dhaka, Shantanu-Nikhil and Sulakshana Monga. Tahiliani's collection "Our Eclectic New World" draws inspiration from the splendour of ancient India and melds it with the buoyancy, lightness, finesse and froth -- trademarks of today's generation.

Tahiliani will unveil panelled veils, jackets, kurtas, saris and lehengas in beige on beige on Basra, Basra creams in french knots, tiny pearls and more, for both the couture and pret for the bridal season.

Suneet Varma, who will bring the curtains down on the event on August 11, will showcase 'Couture- A Love Story!', which will have three segments -- Arzu - "Desire", Aziz - "Precious" and Ahibba - "Beloved". His couture collection is based on the arts and literature of Persia.