In the footsteps of Paul, Mani and Harry, here's a bit of predicting. This season's brides will choose to dab a smack of red on their lips, and perhaps pick a wedding ensemble that they can deconstruct and put together piece-by-piece, Lego style. Shweta Shiware brings you the hottest trends in bridal wear and make-up from the ongoing Delhi Couture Week

The trend
Gold sheathed all-purpose jacket

The designer
JJ Valaya
His trousseau collections are a hit with deep-pocketed North Indian brides and their mummyjis. Loaded Delhi aunties name-dropping Valaya at 5-stars luncheons is as much a part of Dilli's culture as gorging on kebabs at Kareem's. Valaya's indulgence with opulence led to the birth of what he called the Alika Jacket. The interpretation is loosely based on the Sadri -- a cross between a shirt and a jacket -- which can be worn with a lahenga, over jeans, or even on a dress.u00a0

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The intention is in place; to create a classic piece like the Hermes Kelly bag, Chanel's tweed jacket or Gucci loafer -- something that will evolve into an iconic design. All he needs now is a stylish propagator. Our choice: Priyanka Gandhi-Vadhera.u00a0

Who it's meant for: The Alika jacket worn with dark indigo denims, could come in handy while rushing for a pre-engagement dinner at a swish restaurant.

Hair and make-up: Throw your tweasers in the bin. Dark, thick eyebrows draw attention on an otherwise fuss-free make-up look.

Showstopper moment

IN THe Kingdom of JJ Valaya (that's what he calls the virtual world of his fashion shows), frangipani and tulips bloom larger-than-life, and outfits scream deja vu. Off-white saris sprinkled with Swarovski, fishtail lahengas, achkans and sherwanis -- we've seen it all. Bollywood actor Kangna Ranaut carrying a God-knows-how-many-kilo red lahenga, failed to make an impression either.

The trend
Brides dressed in ash, float likes lotuses

The designer
Rohit Bal
He has already established himself as the master of fabric and fantasy, and there's little he can do to harm his reputation. Bal rattled his own rule book dictated by extreme black and whites, to willingly lead himself to a middle path -- in Khakastari (Persian for the 'colour of ash'). Its steel-cold quality illuminated by Swarovski crystals appealed to the simplicity and purity of textures that he worked with.


That Rohit Bal pulled off a breathtaking show is an understatement.
Fifty metres of bleached runway ran parallel to a pool which the last batch
of models, parading all white ensembles, stepped into. The vision akin to
blooming lotuses upsetting still waters, was original.u00a0 Bal joining them was
atypical of the maverick


Indigenous Jodhpur pants were teamed with Western jackets

Bandgalas and sherwanis worn over dhoti pants and Jodhpurs should appeal to the modern groom. Fantasy met folklore in womenswear options, with blouses, saris, jackets and lahengas celebrating the grandeur of bold embroidery, and opulent, but structured cuts.

Who it's meant for: Fluidity of wedding gowns sliced with exaggerated shoulders and necklines will have serious appeal for Carrie Bradshaw followers.u00a0

Hair and make-up: Lightly tousled hair held up in a bun, and nude lips kept the focus on goth eye make-up.

The trend
Off-shoulder cholis and red lips

The designer
Manish Malhotra
The underdog team that went ahead to lift the FIFA title this year, Spain's stylish flamboyance in brazen colours and simple cuts found a willing taker in Manish Malhotra. Shades of reds, blues and purples embraced gypsy-style gowns, saris, lahengas and kurtas crafted in velvet, georgette, chiffon and net. For men, he presented fitted jackets in varying lengths, bandgalas and sherwanis in pitch black, with Victorian collars and blood red piping at once reminding us of a Twilight inspiration.u00a0u00a0



Malhotra can keep Bollywood away from his sanctimonious fashion shows, but he can't escape the oomph quotient of sexy skin show. Cholis and blouses fell off the shoulders, letting the much-earned tan get its due in the spotlight.u00a0u00a0

Who it's meant for: Widely popular with the entire baraat, Malhotra's clothes have universal appeal. His off-shoulder cholis suit the resort wedding bride.