India Couture Week: Anita Dongre brings couture for 'bride on the go'

New Delhi: Defying the norms of Indian bridal wear, designer Anita Dongre's bohemian, casual and chic collection was no less than a breath of fresh air at the ongoing India Couture Fashion Week.

"Mine is a bride, who has a busy work schedule. She is a gypsy princess. She wants her attires light," the designer said just before her spectacular show.

True to her words were the extremely wearable, smart and simple outfits on display in her line titled, "Epic Love", showcased here last evening.

The show, which had guests like Shabana Azmi, Manish Malhotra, Bhumi Pednekar and Pernia Qureshi seated in the first row, opened to a plush garden of a Rajasthan palace, recreated on the runway, on a free-spirited, lighter note with chintz-inspired printed lehengas, teamed with Bohemian blouses.

The classic Indian styles blended seamlessly with contemporary long, column tabards which give the wearer a beautiful illusion of height.

From all-red lehenga-cholis to maxi tops shining in dark hues of blue, the collection radiated a celebratory mood. The striking feature about the clothes was its light weight and gotapatti work, two things Dongre's label swears by.

"The first section was beautiful vintage prints, inspired by Mughal garden, Rajasthani gardens, flowers... It was all silk with gota work. Anita Dongre as a label does a lot of classic Indian and also contemporary silhouettes. I design in such a way that my clients can always mix-and match these outfits," the 52-year-old designer told reporters here post show.

Her collection also included bohemian tops combined with long skirts, kurtas, palazzos and sarees. The bohemian gypsy tops can be paired with a printed lehenga just as beautifully as it would go with a pair of silk pants.