New collections, wedding specials, designer spreads...it’s a season of new arrivals. Here’s a round-up

When it rains, it pours. We say that without making any reference to the showers that brought the temperatures down in the city a couple of days ago. This time it’s the mail box that’s literally flooded with invites. It’s a season of change and with it come special launches, new arrivals, wedding collections and more. While one part of the city is laying out a designer spread, elsewhere it’s a cosy line-up of winter wear. Here’s a low-down of it all.

WEDDING WOWS: If you are a bride-to-be, this is perhaps the most happening time to be setting out for a shopping spree. On at the Taj is a three-day fashion fiesta titled ‘Wedding Asia ‘09’ that is showcasing trousseau specials like diamond jewellery, bridal lehengas, home linen and more. Talking trends, where better to start than with the designer label ‘Monapali’ that is available in the city for the first time. “We’ve got here collections that were showcased at Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week,” mentioned a brand spokesperson. The designer duo has teamed traditional embellishments with contemporary silhouettes. “Concept dressing is in and we find brides opting for unusual colour schemes...even white is in demand,” she points out. Agrees designer Khalid, who brings with him his wedding wear label ‘Amadi’. “Colour is big this season and unusual tones like aubergine, lilac are topping the charts,” the designer finds a growing acceptance towards Western cuts like gowns and dresses for wedding as well as ‘reception’ wear. Going by what’s on offer, bling seems here to stay. “There’s a lot of stone work and coloured embroidery that’s in,” mentions Khalid. Also riding the popularity charts is velvet but not the thick ‘rajai’ version as well as digital prints - a La Tarun Tahiliani style. At ‘Wedding Asia’ Pooja Jain brings with her digital prints under the label ‘Paridhi’ while Malvika Balana, the designer behind ‘Mandvi’ offers traditional gota work in vibrant hues.

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