India Bridal Fashion Week 2012

Tarun Tahiliani opened India Bridal Fashion Week 2012 in Mumbai last night with a Sufi-esque show set in an enchanted garden of overgrown, overhanging vines woven around a U-shaped ramp twinkling with fairy light chandeliers.  Highlights from Tahiliani this season include peplum cholis and asymmetrical bridal lehengas that curl up shorter in the front and trail in the back. Also included were slim mermaid gown kurtas, trim sharara silhouettes and the fascinating evolution of the pre-stitched, belted sari and the sari gown — both of which Tahiliani is credited for launching into modern bridal trends. Tahiliani balances the value of traditional couture hand embellishment (zardozi, antique gold work and appliqué) with meshes of Swarovski Elements that serve to modernize Indian bridal couture by making it lightweight and more fun to wear. Here are some stills from the India Bridal Fashion Week.