Anil Kapoor
Anil Kapoor

Day 3 at Aamby Valley India Bridal Fashion Week was eagerly anticipated by everyone across the fashion spectrum. Fans of heavy embellishment and frills were thirsty to see the theatrical creations of the Peacock duo. Meanwhile, loyalists of the emotive power-outfit were excited to witness Raghavendra Rathore’s take on the Indian bride.

Falguni and Shane Peacock ensembles are a favourite of the red carpet; everyone from Lady Gaga to Jennifer Lopez has worn one and most recently one of their creations was spotted on celebrity host Giuliana Rancic, at arguably the most important global fashion event of the year, the Met Gala (hosted by non other than Ms. Anna Wintour).

Watch the show

This season the set was covered in flowers and cascading streams of leaves, ensuring that ramp watchers were thinking of romance and the Garden of Eden even before catching a glimpse of the collection.

Neha Dhupia in Falguni & Shane Peacock
Neha Dhupia in Falguni & Shane Peacock

Abundance was a clear design and styling choice. Adorable camellia flower wreaths crowned the heads of models that languidly walked down the runway bearing oodles of lace, georgette, layered chiffon and tiers of net. Right from the first sequence, these were stunning and thoughtfully created looks. I particularly loved the butterfly belt-corsets and the little pops of red roses.

Falguni & Shane Peacock
Falguni & Shane Peacock
Falguni & Shane Peacock
Falguni & Shane Peacock

Delicate feather shrugs were paired with ghagara cholis, while bridal gowns came in ombre dyed lace in hues of pink, ivory and pistachio. These was striking and made you just want to get up and feel the texture of the outfits.

Falguni & Shane Peacock
Falguni & Shane Peacock
Falguni & Shane Peacock
Falguni & Shane Peacock
Falguni & Shane Peacock
Falguni & Shane Peacock

The audience was given hints about the finale outfit throughout the show; black and gold kalidaar lace sarees and anarkali’s appeared sporadically, and were eventually anchored by the divinely figured Neha Dhupia. She closed the show in a velveteen textured print brown gown reminiscent of Morticia Addams. A long train and metallic fan belt cinched her tiny waist, flattering her curves.

Neha Dhupia
Neha Dhupia
Neha Dhupia
Neha Dhupia

Neha Dhupia Interview

Neha Dhupia with Falguni & Shane Peacock
Neha Dhupia with Falguni & Shane Peacock

Next up was Raghavendra Rathore, whose set created incredulous murmurs from those who caught a peek before the show: “No, seriously, there’s a fountain in the middle of the runway…”

Watch the show

A fountain on the ramp
A fountain on the ramp

Raghavendra could be justly labeled the ‘Rajput of Design’, not only because of his high powered clientele but also the motifs that rarely stray from his Jodhpuri brand DNA.

Raghavendra Rathore's designs
Raghavendra Rathore’s designs
Raghavendra Rathore's designs
Raghavendra Rathore’s designs
Raghavendra Rathore's designs
Raghavendra Rathore’s designs
Raghavendra Rathore's designs
Raghavendra Rathore’s designs

Rich raw silk tones of saffron, midnight blue, red and royal green made his signature Bandgala jackets and men’s suits captivating and arresting. However, for the women he created an air of mystique with fluid silhouettes consisting of kaftans, asymmetrical dresses and flouncy gowns.

Raghavendra Rathore's designs
Raghavendra Rathore’s designs
Raghavendra Rathore's designs
Raghavendra Rathore’s designs
Raghavendra Rathore's designs
Raghavendra Rathore’s designs

Mr. India himself, Anil Kapoor closed the show and reservedly walked down the runway, shyly smiling for the mosh pit of camera men. Raghavendra Rathore and Anil Kapoor together at the end of the runway reminded us that clothes are insufficient in making a gentleman – a heavy dose of charisma and composure are needed too. This blogger was left swooning – and very much looking forward to Day 4.

Raghavendra Rathore and Anil Kapoor
Raghavendra Rathore and Anil Kapoor

Anil Kapoor Interview

Raghavendra Rathore and Anil Kapoor
Raghavendra Rathore and Anil Kapoor

See also:

Day 1: JJ Valaya Cruises in and Opens India Bridal Week’s Delhi Edition
Day 1: Shantanu & Nikhil’s Romantic Roman Holiday at IBFW 2013
Day 2: Brides Go Bling on Day 2 of India Bridal Week

Falguni & Shane Peacock Collection:

[nggallery id=1025]

Raghavendra Rathore Collection:

[nggallery id=1024]

Pix: Yogen Shah for MissMalini