Bridal Asia exhibit celebrates recesion!

Bridal Asia paves way for the ultimate recession-hit wedding gala!

New Delhi: Weddings can defy recession. From the looks of it, that`s what the Bridal Asia exhibition here next month is out to prove, bringing big names in couture and jewellery design along with mehndi artists, planners and travel companies under one roof.

"We cater to many brides and grooms who are out shopping for that dream wedding and serve as the perfect platform where bridal dreams come true and a perfect wedding gets planned," Bridal Asia founder Divya Gurwara told IANS. The 11th edition of Bridal Asia will be held at Ashoka Hotel from Sep 19 to 21. Gurwara insists that weddings make for a recession-proof industry and people don`t mind splurging for good designs. "I have always believed that wedding is a recession-proof industry. Last year people were cautious buyers but still we did exceptionally well. This time the tables have turned upside down, the condition is improving and I am sure people would again shop with enthusiasm," explained Gurwara. No reliable figures are available for the Indian wedding market but various estimates place it at Rs.500-600 billion, with an annual growth of 15 percent. This year the designers participating in the event include Rina Dhaka, Reynu Taandon, Pallavi Jaikishan, Falguni and Shane Peacock, Siddartha Tytler, Prashant Verma, Nikki Mahajan, Anjalee and Arjun Kapoor. "This is the best wedding affair and people love to show off for a wedding, especially if it is a Punjabi wedding. They are extravagant and love to wear colourful clothes. I will be showcasing my couture collection - a mix of saris, heavy embroidery suits and lehengas," said designer Reynu Taandon. The event will also boast of lifestyle designers, gift-packers and choreographers among others. Apart from bridal wear, jewellery and handbags, various accessory designers too will be exhibiting at the show. There will be dazzling options in jewellery provided by Notandas and Sons, Falguni Mehta and Sangeeta Javeri among others. For accessories and bags, designers Malini Agarwalla of Malaga and Crimzon Accessories by Sonali Dalwani will showcase their collections. Other than this, the exhibition will also have various stalls for silver furniture, home furnishing, wedding packages and a chocolate and date stall. "Chocolates are slowly replacing mithai and dates too are very popular during weddings. We always thought they are passe, which is not at all true. These small things play a pivotal role in a wedding," Gurwara said. Describing Bridal Asia as an event focussing on quality, Gurwara said: "Our USP is that we don`t compromise with quality. It`s only because of this we have an impressive list of designers with us. We have got many international buyers for this event as they too like the quality of products that we offer to people." IANS