Red & Ivory Dreams

Introduction

Marriage (Vivah) is a traditional custom. It is not only a bond between two individuals but also a relationship between two families.

In any kind of festival or ceremony, food holds a foremost place in Bengali culture.

In Bengali cuisine, fish is one of the most crucial ingredients — so much so that there is a popular saying: “Maachhe Bhathe Bangali” (Fish and rice make a Bengali).

Inspiration

I have cherry-picked those ideas that the Bengali wedding holds. The way the bride is adorned, the symbolism behind each of the rituals. The flamboyant colors, decors and cultural designs paint the picture depicting celebration, inclusion and culture. The artworks are all based on the eternal beauty of the Bengali bride, the fun atmosphere, and the relations between food, family, and festivities. My designs should be able to reflect not only the beauty of a single picture, but the feelings, the people, the tales, which reveal these traditions to be memorable.

Fabrics: Silk, cotton, and muslin — valued for elegance, comfort, and cultural heritage.

Weaving: Traditional handloom techniques for authentic texture and durability.

Embroidery: Intricate zari work and kantha stitching to add fine detailing.

Printing: Block printing and hand-painted motifs for unique, artisanal designs.

Blend of Styles: A fusion of heritage artistry with modern silhouettes.

look – 2

Modern Asymmetry
Her blouse with asymmetric sleeves is combined with a high-waisted skirt making her outfit look both fluid and structural. The groom balances her out in a very plain outfit printed in ivory with touches of deep red drippy accents.

Look – 3

Floral & Folk fusion
The bride slides in a hand-block styled prints that are actually based on folk designs with the addition of modern pleats to give the perfect merging of old and new styles. The groom completes her in a contemporary half-coat with a trailing dupatta, to complete the relative effect, the look is stylish and up to date.

look -4

Heritage Royalty
The bride is incredibly beautiful in her symmetric skirt, heavy prints and layers adorned with bold colors on her skirt and drapes, but with a modern touch her outfit resembles old-fashioned wedding photographs. The kurta worn by the groom has a special back design that gives it a more modern touch to this royal style.

The accessories are key in this — they are what connect the modern cuts to Bengali tradition. Everything from the mukut/bride’s crown, to the topor/groom’s hat, to the shankha/shell beads, and haath paanch/hand accessories have a tale of culture to tell.

For shoes, we kept it simple & classic – leather sandals for groom & simple heels or flat sandals for bride so as not to distract from the outfit.

It was one of the collections that I will never forget it’s presentation on the stage. “Agra was the first place that sent my collection out to walk on the ramp and it was such an awesome feeling, like a dream come true”. The clothes became animated by the music, the lights and the swaggering walk of each model. The ombre shades, the swoosh of multi- layered skirt and the ease of the drapes was all underscored at every step.

Backstage opinions all appeared identical to opinions backstage every skirt needs final pulling on of hem threading of button but once on stage all was forgiven.

Through the Red & Ivory Dreams collection, I wanted to combine the essence of Bengali weddings with the imagination of contemporary fashion. It’s a reminiscence but also an invitation to experiment. These clothes, whether for a grand wedding or a culture-based fashion show, are meant to honor love, life, and being who you are. The trip was made even more memorable when I was awarded the Best Handloom Collection for this work. It was an incredible honor and it all made the work and the devotion worth it.