Highlights of BMW India Bridal Fashion Week

The sixth edition of BMW India Bridal Fashion Week took place between August 7 and 10 in DLF Emporio, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.

The extravagant event paid tribute to the craftsmanship and creativity of notable Indian couturiers.

The fashion week is organised by Fashion One in collaboration with BMW and Azva.

The company aimed to support and nurture the Indian talent and to celebrate the rich heritage and tradition in the country.

Day 1

The launch of the fashion week was attended by Shraddha Kapoor. The actress looked stunning in an embellished sari in neutral colours and flowing hair.

Opening day 1 was designer Tarun Tahiliani. His collection, titled “The Modern Mughals”, featured simple pieces in gold, red and black, all adorned with mukaish dupattas, intricate brocades and zari work.

Models strutted on the runway dressed in lehengas, embroidered blouses, long jackets, kalidar kurtas, and saris in floral prints. Men were treated to kurtas, jodhpurs, dhotis and sherwani, updated with warmer hues such as orange and gold.

Later, the designer duo Gauri and Nainika presented a spectacular portrayal of the modern bride. She was wearing minimalist outfits with a modern twist and straight lines in black, white and red in neoprene. Bold colour blocking, interesting cutouts and textured skirts complemented the looks.

Another breathtaking collection was created by designers Ashima and Leena. The decor depicted a travelling royal escort, camping in a far away Arabian desert. The scene was decorated with tents in draped muslins, lanterns, saddles and romantic glass lamps.

Opening the show was Nonika Chaterjee, dressed in a pastel pink embroidered sharara ensemble. The collection featured a glamorous array of saris in gold and peach, all embellished in delicate hand embroidery.

Day 2

On day 2 designer Raghavendra Rathore presented his bridal collection called ‘Re-incarnating Relics’, which celebrates the charm of the traditional Indian wedding.

The runway was transformed into a spectacular entrance of a palace with ‘chhatri’ and flags. The designer surprised the audience, opening the collection with an unexpected piece inspired by French pop culture.

The first part of the show was dedicated exclusively to menswear, featuring a spellbinding array of sequined jackets, Jodhpur pants, kurtas, pyjamas, and an unusual piece of dhotis.

Womenswear was strongly inspired by men’s attire. Models walked the ramp in androgynous ensembles of sherwanis, bandhgala jackets, achkans and Jodhpur pants. The simple cuts were contrasted with statement colours including pink, orange, purple, navy blue, maroon, black, beige and gold.

Closing the show were Bollywood celebrities Aditi Rao Hydari dressed in an ivory ensemble of sari and a bandhgala jacket and Ali Afzal, wearing a long kurta in peach and a pink jacket.

Other Bollywood icons walked the ramp for their favourite designers, including Esha Gupta for Jyotsna Tiwari and Nargis Fakhri for Nikhil Thampi.

The latter celebrity had a little incident on the runway. While modeling, Nargis Fakhri noticed that her dress was slightly torn, showing a little more skin than intended. However, the celebrity rose to the challenge and successfully finished her walk.

Day 3

On the last day, designer Suneet Verma captivated the audience with a collection, inspired by the architecture of the ancient painted city of Shekhawati. The designer gave a modern twist to traditional Indian attire.

It featured dramatic outfits in reds and pinks, transcending in darker hues as dark navy and cobalt blue. The pieces were embellished with thread and zari embroidery. Standout penchants and earrings complemented the looks.

Bollywood icon Kangana Ranaut closed the show, dressed in an opulent black ensemble with metallic embellishment.

Another surprise in the end of the show was unveiling the latest BMW model called BMW 730Ld Series Signature, which combines original design with power and luxury. The unexpected appearance of the vehicle perfectly matched the atmosphere of the event.

After the show, Frank Schloeder, Director Marketing BMW Group India commented: “BMW Design is the beginning of an emotional experience. Bridal fashion is all about aesthetics, perfection, precision and craftsmanship, which is what BMW embodies.

“BMW has enjoyed a number of successful collaborations with artists and designers over the years, but this is our first partnership with the Bridal Fashion Week, arguably one of India’s most significant bridal fashion shows. We wish Suneet Varma the very best for this season’s bridal collection.”

The grand finale featured a collection by the Czar of Indian Couture’, JJ Valaya. His collection titled ‘The Nautch of Fez’ was inspired by Moroccan and Indian traditions.

Classic pieces such as lehengas, gowns, saris and embellished jackets looked modern in the trendy metallic palette. Velvet and georgette were given a modern touch with geometric prints, inspired by the mosaics in the Ottoman mosques and patchwork.

The show was closed by Bollywood beauty Shraddha Kapoor. The celebrity was a complete showstopper, dressed in a Kanjeevaram sari and gilded jacket, inspired by the Moroccan architecture. After the show, she said:

“It’s a proud moment to walk for the most iconic designers of our industry. I felt like a shy bride almost when I was walking the ramp.”

The sixth edition of BMW India Bridal Fashion Week continued the tradition of showcasing the latest creations of the most prominent designers of the country.

The event paid tribute to the rich heritage of the country in the traditions of the Indian wedding, portrayed in the glamorous outfits that sashayed on the runway.