Anil Kapoor rocks the ramp for Raghavendra Rathore at India Bridal Week 2013

Raghavendra Rathore who was keeping off the fashion weeks from the past four years, made a comeback with his exclusive bridal collection for both men and women, at the India Bridal Week, 2013 in New Delhi. His endeavour is to showcase a future bridal wear, when people will travel across a globe for a wedding, and this is exactly what was seen in his collection.

The runway looked classy and royal with five miniature fountains placed in the middle and dim lights in the backdrop. As soon as the curtains lifted, barefooted models strutted down the ramp in plain cotton sarees with a ‘ghunghat’ to mark the opening of the show. Wearing a velvet evening gown with silver embroidery, and donning a medallion pendent attached to a headband on her head, a model glided down the ramp just like a queen. Poncho like tops in digital print, satiny material and long achkan coat with intricate embroidery teamed with pants were also seen as a part of the collection. Raghavendra Rathore’s bridal wear range in this show was clearly reflecting the glory days of ‘raj’ which drew its inspiration from traditional silhouettes from across Asia. The idea was to put the focus back on redefining structure and conceive well fitted garments with fine cuts to achieve a sophisticated look. He showcased his trademark jodhpuri bundgala jackets, not only as a part of men’s collection but also was inspired by the same to present the bolero bandgala and sari bandhgala in his women’s collection.

 A wide veriety of men’s wear showcased by Raghavendra Rathore included velvet coats in the hues of red and green with pocket squares, men suits in all vibrant colours like Pink, purple, navy blue, red, turquoise blue, and not to forget the silk blue suit with bandhgala with a complementing hot pink pocket square. A drift from the usual shades of grey, black, brown was clearly seen in his men’s collection. Other noteworthy aspects included hot pink sleeveless jacket in light embroidery which was teamed with a contrasting white jodhpuri pants and beautiful off whites achkans in delicate thread work and bandhgala jackets over short kurta.

This collection was basically reminiscent of the finely crafted garments worn by maharajas and tweaked to give it an improvised look to target those who appreciate intricacy and workmanship. The Kurta waistcoat sets provide a classy and tasteful option for pre-wedding functions and easy going occasions. Women’s couture had displayed a fusion of cotemporary with traditional, and models strutting like goddesses in embroidered long dresses with front and side slits. Every little detail was closely thought to including the gold embroidered pointed velvet shoes in heels that added to the sophistication of the ensemble.  Model Indrani Das Gupta looked spectacular in a black bolero jacket attached to a floor sweeping evening red gown with multiple folds. Other eye catching details about his women’s collection were frilled gowns, long robe like embroidered jackets and shrugs in velvet. The show was choreographed by Asha Kochhar and Vidyun Singh. Anil Kapoor in sleeveless velvet jacket teamed with a black kurta concluded the show for the designer.