Decadence & Dhak Dhak

Madhuri Dixit,who seems to be the “celebrity on the return trip to fame” was the guest of honour at designer,Varun Bahl’s,show which opened the FDCI-Synergy 1 Delhi Couture Week at Hotel Taj Palace on Friday. Wearing a long,structured-at-the-waist-and-layered-beneath white chiffon Varun Bahl ensemble with an embroidered bodice and fuschia pink edgings,she only reiterated the Bling Goddess look she had accentuated as a star jury member on Jhalak Dikhla Ja Season 4 last year. That legendary smile,tightly blow dried Bollywood curls,mahogany hair colour,red toe nails and crystal-embellished stilettos,made the perfect front row royalty at a show that “indirectly referenced from Marie Antoinette” the French queen known for her decadent whims.

It is surprising that a former star could be allowed to delay such a prestigious event by more than an hour but that’s what Ms Dixit did and the audience waited,hearts beating for the Dhak Dhak girl. The minute she arrived with her entourage,the show began and was followed by a press conference that was more a flurry of mikes overlapped by Madhuri’s post-marriage patented answers from the “I am okay,you are okay” slice of life rather than fashion speak. “Nice collection,” that she said clearly though; we heard that.

Bahl’s couture collection,with some gorgeous pieces created from tulle,damask and chiffons,were intricately worked upon and thought through right from craftsmanship to styling of the models who showed them.

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This French inspiration-Indian reality spell,left us with lehengas,farshi pajamas and anarkalis. When gold lace arrived embraced by damask,yes,there was that hint of over-the-top exuberance of Marie Antoinette’s spoils,not that the video playing at the back allowed you to forget.

Bahl’s long time favourite palette—hues of green apple—lingered momentarily,then moved on to pistachio arrested with red and later,ivory and gold. It was bridal alright. But more than bridal promise,the clothes stood for flamboyance; a virtue sought not only by the about-to-be hitched.