UK featuring top Indian designers and wedding businesses
Katrina Kaif walks the ramp in a Neeta Lulla creation. (TOI Photo)
Ardhangini is the first ever Indian wedding exhibition in the UK featuring top Indian designers and wedding businesses. Neeta Lulla, Nivedita Saboo, Ravish Kapoor
are some of the more famous names who are exhibiting their merchandise
at the first UK Indian wedding destination and lifestyle show in
Kensington Olympia from 15th to 17th July. It is called 'Ardhangini':
celebrating the spirit of being an Indian woman.
The first day was a quiet affair with some designers still setting up shop, including the famous Neeta Lulla. Pictures of Aishwarya Rai from her 'Devdas' days were displayed for the desired effect and not far was Katrina Kaif - smiling from an Indianised Barbie doll image of her in a peach and pink lehenga. Nishka Lulla, the designer's equally talented offspring showed us some anarkalis of metal and shell work, a pink embroidered ensemble and gorgeous sarees which were being folded and put on display.
The atmosphere wasn't exactly buzzing for an exhibit of such magnitude and glamour but it is believed to have picked up in the next two days that it was on. The fashion show where models walked the designer's latest collection was quite an attraction for the crowd. Hopefully the exhibit did prove a success for both organizers and designers, especially in establishing themselves amongst the Indian and South Asian diaspora. After all, London is home to Indians who comprise the city's largest non-white ethnic minority group. One designer Nivedita Saboo who has dressed the likes of Kareena Kapoor was welcoming and warm in her approach and patiently explained her designs to curious buyers. No less than a model herself with stunning looks and a great figure to match, she spoke about her designs, her method of work, her customized service to ordinary people (not just the stinking rich and famous).
Ravish Kapoor who has designed invitation cards for Shilpa Shetty's wedding was there with his bespoke collection of exquisite cards with equally exquisite price tags. "4,500", he said to one lady amidst confusion whether it was British pounds he was talking of or Indian Rupees. "For one?", asked the wide-eyed woman and he triumphantly nodded. It is interesting to note how window- shoppers can be identified from miles away. On the other hand, you can hardly expect people to shell out money when it's supposed to be an exhibit. Moreover, this is the first attempt of this kind for networking with Indians living in the UK and opening up opportunities for future potential business within the larger South Asian diaspora. Only time will tell if this becomes a permanent fixture on London's events calendar. After all India is one of the world's emerging economies.
Hotel representatives engaged customers with 'destination glamour', ethnic jewellery dazzled, wedding photographers spoke of capturing 'moments' for a lifetime of cherishment. Henna artists and trousseau packers took care of the finer details that go into the preparation of traditional wedding celebrations.
This exhibit is championing the spirit of the Indian woman and India's long-standing tradition of wedding celebrations. There is no doubt about the appeal of the glamour of the Indian wedding phenomena, glamourized and eulogized by Bollywood no less. Beach weddings in Goa, the backwaters of Kerala are all very good; elaborate lehengas are a treat for the eyes, make women look astounding and marriages are truly a great tradition. Let's not forget, however, the Indian woman who may not have access to such bespoke services. The woman, who stands with grace in simple cottons, provides for her family and walks miles to work; to feed her children, often without a man at her side. Let us celebrate the spirit of the Indian woman indeed!
The first day was a quiet affair with some designers still setting up shop, including the famous Neeta Lulla. Pictures of Aishwarya Rai from her 'Devdas' days were displayed for the desired effect and not far was Katrina Kaif - smiling from an Indianised Barbie doll image of her in a peach and pink lehenga. Nishka Lulla, the designer's equally talented offspring showed us some anarkalis of metal and shell work, a pink embroidered ensemble and gorgeous sarees which were being folded and put on display.
The atmosphere wasn't exactly buzzing for an exhibit of such magnitude and glamour but it is believed to have picked up in the next two days that it was on. The fashion show where models walked the designer's latest collection was quite an attraction for the crowd. Hopefully the exhibit did prove a success for both organizers and designers, especially in establishing themselves amongst the Indian and South Asian diaspora. After all, London is home to Indians who comprise the city's largest non-white ethnic minority group. One designer Nivedita Saboo who has dressed the likes of Kareena Kapoor was welcoming and warm in her approach and patiently explained her designs to curious buyers. No less than a model herself with stunning looks and a great figure to match, she spoke about her designs, her method of work, her customized service to ordinary people (not just the stinking rich and famous).
Ravish Kapoor who has designed invitation cards for Shilpa Shetty's wedding was there with his bespoke collection of exquisite cards with equally exquisite price tags. "4,500", he said to one lady amidst confusion whether it was British pounds he was talking of or Indian Rupees. "For one?", asked the wide-eyed woman and he triumphantly nodded. It is interesting to note how window- shoppers can be identified from miles away. On the other hand, you can hardly expect people to shell out money when it's supposed to be an exhibit. Moreover, this is the first attempt of this kind for networking with Indians living in the UK and opening up opportunities for future potential business within the larger South Asian diaspora. Only time will tell if this becomes a permanent fixture on London's events calendar. After all India is one of the world's emerging economies.
Hotel representatives engaged customers with 'destination glamour', ethnic jewellery dazzled, wedding photographers spoke of capturing 'moments' for a lifetime of cherishment. Henna artists and trousseau packers took care of the finer details that go into the preparation of traditional wedding celebrations.
This exhibit is championing the spirit of the Indian woman and India's long-standing tradition of wedding celebrations. There is no doubt about the appeal of the glamour of the Indian wedding phenomena, glamourized and eulogized by Bollywood no less. Beach weddings in Goa, the backwaters of Kerala are all very good; elaborate lehengas are a treat for the eyes, make women look astounding and marriages are truly a great tradition. Let's not forget, however, the Indian woman who may not have access to such bespoke services. The woman, who stands with grace in simple cottons, provides for her family and walks miles to work; to feed her children, often without a man at her side. Let us celebrate the spirit of the Indian woman indeed!
source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
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