Luxurious Lehengas: The Dream Wedding Regalia

A little girl has forever dreamed of a perfect wedding. She has chosen the song that she would dance on, the outfits her best friends would wear and the way her groom would grin at her as she made her way through the mandap.  The concept the Big-Fat-Indian-Wedding is popular throughout the world - everyone is familiar with the peppy sangeet and mehendi, the colourful haldi party and the fancy wedding rituals that actually celebrates the opulence of the family. And then, Bollywood films and superstars have elevated and truly transformed it into a glamorous event. Gorgeous brides in their designer lehengas adorned with precious jewellery looking absolutely ethereal are the focus of the wedding festivities. Accompanying these dazzling beauties are their handsome grooms dressed magnificently in their finery.

The Indian wedding market $50 billion strong, growing rapidly each year. With nearly half of India’s population under the age of 30, there are nearly 10-12 million weddings held every year (contributing greatly to India’s GDP). Weddings are considered to be a serious business in the Indian culture - more than the coming together of two souls. A marriage signifies the bonding of two families affecting the socio-cultural and financial status of both! Parents create “shaadi funds” from the moment their child is born and an estimated one-fifth of their total lifetime wealth is spent on this occasion.

The luxury lehenga flaunted prominently at these Big-Fat-Indian weddings costs from around Rs. 50,000 to 90 crore (as worn by Isha Ambani at her wedding)! But why is this designer bridal lehenga so important? Simply, it makes the bride feel like royalty. She basks in the absolute admiration as she indulges in that grandiose luxury lehenga. She is illustrious as she walks among her distinguished guests, feeling flawlessly imperial. It is her special day and she wants to reign supreme in the hearts of her loved ones. In addition, the luxury Indian lehenga is a symbol of the family affluence and their love for the bride.

Source : https://www.vogue.in/wedding-wardrobe/collection/isha-ambani-bridal-lehenga-abu-jani-sandeep-khosla-maangtikka-necklace-earrings-nath-bangles-wedding-wear/

Combined with this, the spread and plenitude of social media featuring these latest designer lehengas and party wear, has increased the aspirational value of the bridal lehenga in the minds of millennials. All popular celebrities, graceful and embellished in their luxury designer lehengas, have forged desire in the hearts of the youth of India.

With an increase in demand; requests for personalization and customization has led to innovative, avant-garde approaches to this typically traditional accoutrement.

The Age of Artistic Luxury Bridal Lehengas

1. The Love Story Lehenga

Source : pinterest.com

The innovative Love Story Lehenga was first pioneered by Indian designer and bride Kresha Bajaj. She wanted to create something completely unique that no one else could have. She also wanted to ensure that her beautiful wedding lehenga would not just sit in the cupboard gathering dust. Hence, Kresha created something personal that stood testament to her and her husband’s love for each other. She embroidered onto her dazzling white lehenga the milestone moments of their love story complete with their names and the proposal in Maldives. Since then, the demand for these love story lehengas has elevated and brides want their fairytale designer lehengas! Kresha has fashioned more than 15 such lehengas till now. Her own is pride-possession and is hung as tapestry in their home.

2. Customized Embroidery

Source : shaadiwish.com | shaadisaga.com

Many brides are opting now for the latest innovation of customized embroideries. Many lehengas with designer blouses have detailed cutout patterns embellished with dolis and waramalas. Special latkans personalized with the names of the couple and their wedding dates are taking the Indian wedding industry by storm too! Embroidering wedding hashtags, solemn vows and quirky quotes are some other innovations that make the lehenga truly exclusive - custom made for the special couple.

3. The Chevron Lehenga

Source : https://www.weddingsonly.in/chevron-pattern-lehenga/

An exception from the conventional heavy embroidery, is the Chevron design gaining popularity. The chevron lehenga has an inverted “V” zig-zag geometrical pattern tailored for the au courant bride. Since Sonam Kapoor wore a muted chevron lehenga for her wedding reception, the pattern has garnered attention. Newer concepts are emerging, expanding the chevron palette - flowers woven over the chevron design and multi-colored motifs ingrained towards the hem of the lehenga are just two of those. The chevron zig-zags are mostly observed in chrome tones of silver and gold on the backdrop of soft pastels.

4. Floral Prints

Source : pinterest.com

Lots of brides are looking for lighter, breezier designs for those pre-wedding ceremonies full of fun and dance! Those moments of laughter and tears of joy compliment perfectly the simple designer lehengas boasting bold-colours. Floral prints lend an easy air to the overall get up of the glowing bride and the spring time pastel pampered pop colours have a lively, cheerful quality. Anushka Sharma’s floral blouse for her mehendi function coupled with a vibrant pink and orange lehenga is another variation of the floral-printed pattern. Many embroidered lehengas are also united with soft and light chiffon floral printed dupattas in contrasting bubbly colours to shape a sunny look for the radiant bride.

5. Minimal Lehengas

Source : houseofmasaba.com | vogue.in

Minimalism is the art of subtle beauty. Some women vibe mostly with this form of luxury designer lehengas - they do not care much for the glitter and the glamour or the vivid burst of colours. For them, elegance is presented in a minimal, delicate way enhancing the grace of the genteel bride. There can be so many forms in which minimalism may be expressed! Stylish monochrome bridal lehenga choli or a printed chiffon gown with a dazzled cape or the glazed plainly designed Banarasi fabric that takes an onlooker’s breath away! Designers like Karan Torani and Masaba Gupta, famous for their exquisite minimalism, have carved a special place for themselves in the wedding market.

6. Remodeling the Classical

Source : pinterest.com

For so many brides, their wedding is the most important day of their life. On such an auspicious occasion, they like to convey their love for their ever-supportive mothers and grandmothers. Refreshing their mothers’ or mother-in-laws’ heirloom wedding attire is an expression of their respect and gratitude… while also being a classic style statement. A creation from the rejuvenated timeless design of a paithani into an elegant gown or the rejuvenation of a vintage red bridal lehenga into a contemporary piece with slight alterations are all means of articulation of the bride’s sentiments. Kareena Kapoor chose to don the golden bridal sharara worn by her mother-in-law Sharmila Tagore in her own nikaah.

The Artists’ Aesthetics

1. Sabyasachi Mukherjee

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/lifestyle/fashion/story/why-are-sabyasachi-creations-so-overpriced-the-answer-straight-from-the-designer-1669368-2020-04-21

Hailed popularly as the King of India’s Bridal Market, Sabyasachi carries the royalty to the bride. His classic Indian designs borrowing heavily from the prized exemplars of tradition make him one of the most sought-after luxury wedding designers in the country. His creations seem to literally weave in the emotions of the bride as she experiences her wedding day… Sabyasachi is today the most popular brand for bridal wear - it has been, after all, endorsed by many Bollywood celebrities!

2. Anita Dongre

Source : http://www.nevanta.com/shraddha-kapoor-walks-for-anita-dongre-at-the-wedding-junction-2018/

Another designer captivating the spirit of India and entwining them seamlessly into her wedding couture collections is Anita Dongre. Taking inspiration from Rajasthan’s archaic traditions and patterns, the House of Anita Dongre provides an exclusive heritage-influenced traditional feel for the contemporary couple of today. Apart from the bridal market, many other Anita Dongre labels are catered to under the House.

3. Manish Malhotra

Source : https://www.firstpost.com/photos/manish-malhotra-weaves-a-persian-story-at-day-1-of-india-couture-week-2906296.html

A popular name in the Bollywood industry, Manish Malhotra’s designs have a luxurious, elegant quality leaning towards modernity. Moving away from the traditional Indian look and feel, the label brings in the westernized flair felicitous for cocktail parties. Incorporating the bling and glamour for the gowns and off-beat bridal lehengas for reception, Manish Malhotra stands synonymous with the contemporary bride.

4. Ritu Kumar

Source : https://www.sareez.com/blog/aditi-rao-astonishes-her-audience-with-ritu-kumars-latest-lehenga-collection/

Ritu Kumar dominates the fusion designer lehenga segment. An award winning designer, Ritu Kumar effortlessly blends the art of fashion with exquisite traditions. Unique, neoteric designs handcrafted into exotic ensembles with the correct amount of fantastic elegance is what defines the label. Her flair for sophistication and simplicity, together, makes her one of the most creative designers in the Indian wedding industry.

5. Shantanu and Nikhil

Source : https://www.shantanunikhil.com/index.html

Believing in the spirit of evolution and the attempt to move onwards, the brothers design raiment that is a blend of Indian masterpieces and westernized innovation. For the contemporary millennial, the trendy-yet-classical look is inviting. Fiercely spirited and ambitious, their designs have an aura of spontaneity and exaggeration - charming and enticing. Youth-oriented approach that seeks to liberate from the conventional to reinterpret the narrative of new age spunk garners their modern clientele.

The bridal luxury wear industry has many other prime fashion designers, each with their own defined flair and panache. Tarun Tahiliani, Rohit Bal,  Neeta Lulla, Surily Goel, Asmita Marva, Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla are also some big names in India (and abroad), today.

Let’s get married?

As we have delved into and journeyed through the conception and intellection of new age luxury lehengas, it will be perfectly understandable if all you want to do now is to get married so you may have an opportunity to enjoy the splendid regalia! Honest to God, I have only been dreaming about these beauties for the past few days (and nights) as I have been composing this article!