Lakmé Fashion Week {Winter/Festive 2011} Anita Dongre

Remaining true to her roots, Anita Dongre once again dazzled the audience with her magical bridal collection inspired by the beauty and grandeur of Rajasthan at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011.

The show was a panorama of ethnic style, fabrics and colours so characteristic of Rajasthan. The mesmerizing bandhani of the region, the lush brocades of Banaras, combined with ikats, velvets and glittering with Zari, gota Patti work; Badla and traditional metallic patterns gave the creations the perfect festive touch.

From sensuous saris, swirling lehengas, dramatic jackets, to stylish salwar kameeze duos, Anita moved into the western region with some stunning gowns but stayed true to the ethnic touches for them.

Shades of the desert – beige, rust, fiery red, cobalt, ink, black and white formed a mélange of colours for the lovely prints and glittering embellishments

Opening the show with the beauteous Lisa Haydon in a black net flowing anarkalis with embroidered bodice and stunning lehenga; Anita took the audience on a journey of creations that were sophisticated, elegant and yet sensuously beautiful. The mesmerizing collection of lehengas with detailed but diverse embroidery, and the tiny cholis which were presented as halters, bikini tops, ruffled bustiers or spaghetti strap bandeaux made a perfect festive offering. Wide luxurious borders edged the swirling full circle skirts, while tonal embroidery highlighted the fragile net creations. Saris were dramatically embellished with Indian motifs; the diaphanous gowns had moulded bodices or one shoulder accents and velvet insets that will appeal to the international buyer.

For the finale it was the gorgeous Lisa Haydon once again, but this time as the bride wearing the handcrafted natural organic white mull lehenga embroidered by rural craftswomen of Mijwan, a village in Azamgarh UP and made from Fair Trade Organic Cotton with intricate chikankari work. This beautiful creation took four months to produce and could truly be called a Labour of Love

It was a gorgeous collection from Anita Dongre that paid fashionable tribute to the land of the Rajputs that will appeal to the sartorial sensibilities of brides anywhere in India.