And oh yes……lace !

In complete contrast to my dabang bride, was this Fairy Tale bride who, in my mind, belonged in a wonderland of fairies and princesses where everything was pastel and gossamer and satin. She wanted it all.

But in one way they were remarkably similar. They knew exactly what they wanted and I wasn’t complaining !

On the day of the appointment, a young lady wafted into my studio, sweet as a poppy, carrying a pastel pink and floral bag, wearing a pretty floral kurta and jeans. I was charmed. 

She wanted a bridal lehenga and the brief was clear. It must be pink with a floral design and must be embellished with lace and net. Easy, I thought ! 

So my Masterji and I got to work. I made a few rough sketches for her approval. After that we went shopping for the fabric. We roamed six stores before she found her perfect colour in silk; aquamarine splashed with watermelon pink flowers all over for the lehenga. No surprises ! For the choli, she chose fuschia lace yardage. Of course ! The dupatta was coral net. And we were done. But the main task was ahead.

My team and I set about creating this bride’s dream outfit. As it so happened, floral lehengas were the rage and there were a dime a dozen in the market.

Our bride’s lehenga needed to stand out, I thought. So we added handmade 3D flowers on the skirt. Instead of a dupatta, we made a cape because she wanted her hands free. We made a full skirt so that when she twirled, it would billow out around her. A slow smile lit up her face when she tried on the outfit and I realised we were close to fulfilling her dream.

Since this ensemble was for the mehendi, I suggested that she wear floral jewellery. A matching maang tika, neck piece, jhumkas and bangles were researched among many online suppliers! Finally, we found the perfect set and she went home, happy and full of excitement about the upcoming festivities.

Mehendi on her hands, she smiled and posed for the camera, delighted, glowing, revelling in the moment; her floral rhapsody complete. 

Another young woman, true to herself, inspiring me once again, to design and create beautiful clothes for the wonderful women who come to me with their expectations, their hopes and sometimes their fears. 

– As narrated to Neelu Joglekar