Sunday, December 12, 2010

Haute Sarees for this Wedding Season

Have an important wedding to attend, and wondering what to wear? While contemplating your next saree purchase, here are 50 different saree looks that give a faint idea of what to expect in the stores this season.

After making an extensive search on the web, and from my archives of all the designers collections from fall 2010, couture and spring summer 2011, here's my round up of sarees that I thought were befitting for occasions that range from wedding occasions, to cocktails or a simple party. For lack of finding better and more pictures, a few of the sarees featured here do not have the most flattering blouses; that would do any justice to it's wearer, but luckily most designers offer to customize blouses according to their client's taste and preferences. And if you don't intend to buy a designer saree, then you can always fall back on your blouse tailor to give you that nifty, well cut, well fitted, on trend blouse. Insist on a muslin fitting and go for as many trials as you like, till you get the fit just right!

If you have broad shoulders, refrain from wearing halters and strapless, opt for a thick strap or a one inch cap sleeve instead and a low back, if you fancy sexy styles. Spaghetti and noodle straps are pretty much out and done to death, so don't even think about it! Unless you want to attach diamontes, it should be totally in sync and keeping with the design.

Draping the saree is the most crucial and challenging part, don't wait and experiment in the last moment while getting ready to leave for your party if you are not a champion draper! You need to practice a couple of times and strut around in your high heels till you feel confident and comfortable enough about having your drape and pleats in place. Play around and find out which style of draping suits you best; where you can carry yourself with ease. Remember, you don't want to give into stiff, troublesome and clumsy styles of holding your 'palav' that could very well hamper your movement. A saree though very graceful is one of the most difficult garments to carry off, so it's very important to establish a comfort level with your saree before you decide to wear it out.

Colors this season range from anywhere from warm shades of bright pinks, oranges, reds and peaches to cool blues, black and metallic gold, silver and bronze. Designers have combined lace with net and tulle, and played with unconventional shimmer fabrics like lurex and lame. Velvet has been added around the borders or used for blouses. Adopting many interesting and beautiful techniques besides resorting to trimmings, embellishments, appliques, cut-work and embroidery, designers have also cleverly combined textures, fabrics and weaves. Some have gone sans embroidery and presented simple motifs, solid colours or colour block two-tone versions. The results are exciting and jaw dropping beautiful. Have to hand it to the big names like Tarun Tahiliani, Pallavi Jaikishan and Suneet Verman for being the true masters in fashioning Indian couture, by presenting the most dreamy, desirable (and expensive) saree drapes. Varun Bahl, Gaurav Gupta and Anamika Khanna 's sarees also impress with their styles and design.

Glam Goddess at Suneet Verma -  Pearls Infrastructure Delhi Couture Week Fall 2010

Suneet Varma saree at Pearls Infrastructure Delhi Couture Week Fall 2010

This Suneet Varma net saree draped has been draped like a tunic on one shoulder, presented at Pearls Infrastructure Delhi Couture Week Fall 2010

From Suneet Varma's "Shaam 'e' Awadh" Autumn Festive 2010 Collection

Suneet Varma "Shaam 'e' Awadh" Autumn Festive 2010 Collection

Suneet Varma "Shaam 'e' Awadh" Autumn Festive 2010 Collection

See the entire Suneet Varma "Sham 'e' Awadh" collection on the designer's website here


Pretty in pastels: Rina Dhaka at Bridal Asia Delhi 2010

Rina Dhaka's luscious red saree with rosette confetti blouse, at Bridal Asia Delhi 2010

Lace and lame from Rina Dhaka, HDIL Couture Week Fall 2010

Rina Dhaka HDIL Couture Week Fall 2010

Rina Dhaka gold metallic, embroidered saree presented during the HDIL Couture Week, Fall 2010

Anamika Khanna's shimmering metallic and opaque saree presented during Pearls Infrastructure Delhi Couture Week Fall 2010

Rohit Bal's motif work and velvet rendition, Pearls Infrastructure Delhi Couture Week Fall 2010

Gaurav Gupta's sexy black saree and embroidered lace blouse presented at Pearls Infrastructure Delhi Couture Week Fall 2010

Sheer black saree with fringe detail on 'palav' from Gaurav Gupta at Pearls Infrastructure Delhi Couture Week Fall 2010

Gaurav Gupta's lightly embroidered coral saree presented during Pearls Infrastructure Delhi Couture Week Fall 2010

Shimmering white and silver Gaurav Gupta cocktail saree at Pearls Infrastructure Delhi Couture Week Fall 2010

Embroidered champagne gold net and lace saree from Pallavi Jaikishan, presented during Pearls Infrastructure Delhi Couture Week Fall 2010

This Pallavi Jaikishan's vermilion number is a timeless

Pallavi Jaikishan 'lehenga saree' presented during Pearls Infrastructure Delhi Couture Week Fall 2010

Pallavi Jaikishan's signature floral embroideries come alive, like on this delectable black net saree, presented during Pearls Infrastructure Delhi Couture Week Fall 2010

Crisp and sheer tissue saree with applique motifs from Rehane, at Lakme Fashion Week - Winter Festive Fall 2010

This bronze and gold liquid drape from JJ Valaya looks statuesque and contemporary

JJ Valaya gorgeous gold embroidered applique saree, presented during Pearls Infrastructure Delhi Couture Week Fall 2010

Presented during Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, this light Spring Summer 2011 saree still manages to create a sedate and elegant statement with the gold border and fringe

Shaded peach chiffon saree with light embellishments and fringe from JJ Valaya at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Spring Summer 2011 - You can offset the simplicity with a standout clutch and/or statement jewellery.

This lightly embroidered shaded peach and pink Spring Summer 2011 saree from Meera & Muzaffar Ali presented during Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week is a classic that will 'last' you for seasons to come

Classic white and gold from the master of drapes Tarun Tahiliani, presented during Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week  Spring Summer 2011

Simple and elegant in sheer onion pink - Tarun Tahiliani at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Spring Summer 2011

Royal/Inky blue is a perfect colour for fall winter as Tarun Tahiliani proves with this Autumn Winter 2010 saree  

Varun Bahl's velvet trimmed saree with velvet blouse - at Pearls Infrastructure  Delhi Couture Week Fall 2010

Classic red net saree with gold work from Varun Bahl at Pearls Infrastructure Delhi Couture Week Fall 2010

Ruffle elegance from Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla presented during Pearls Infrastructure Delhi Couture Week Fall 2010

The classic red, white and gold 'Bengal' saree from Anand Kabra at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Spring Summer 2011

Discounting the blouse in the picture, take a cue from this chic and versatile Masaba saree, pair with  jewel tones or silver colour blouse and create a new look each time. - Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2010

Easy breezy georgettes from AbhiRahul presented at Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive Fall 2010

AbhiRahul net saree with long jacket - Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2010

One of the hottest shades this season - Arpan Vohra's caramel confetti at Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2010

Sexy and simple - Shrivan Narresh's fuss free pre-stitched  Resort 2011 saree presented at Lakme Fashion Week Winter  Festive, it's the perfect saree to party in!

Classic yet contemporary - from designers Gautam & Asha Gupta's Autumn Festive 2010 collection at Punjab International Fashion Week

The red and white embroidery pops out wonderfully in this sheer pistachio mint saree from Gautam & Asha Gupta's Autumn Festive 2010 collection presented during Punjab International Fashion Week

Tulle+Lace+Swarovski+ Floral motifs in Gold and Pink = This Anjali & Arjun Kapoor saree has all the right elements. Presented during Amby Valley India Bridal Week Fall 2010

Tulle and net madness, from Anjali & Arjun Kapoor's Fall 2010 collection at Aamby Valley India Bridal Week

Anjali and Arjun Kapoor Fall 2010 Collection at Aamby Valley India Bridal Week

Anjali and Arjun Kapoor's uniquely draped saree at Aamby Valley India Bridal Week Fall 2010

Sweet and saccharine in white with pink, from Falguni and Shane Peacock at Aamby Valley India Bridal Week Fall 2010

Green gold allure from Satya Paul at Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2010

Can't go wrong in hot pink with orange! Satya Paul at Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2010

Minus the blouse, this Shyamal & Bhumika saree is a classic, presented at Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2010

Here comes the bride! Shyamal & Bhumika's version of the tradional red 'lehenga saree' with velvet palav presented during Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2010

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