India is a country where designers have a vast playground to experiment with a variety of fabrics and colors especially for an occasion like the extravagant Indian wedding! Recently in 2017, the ultimate influencer for the entire fashion fraternity was fusion clothing. Indian clothing was incorporated with western designs and vice-versa, from cutting short to making it long, we have seen designers portray an array of new and innovative designs. Indian traditional bridal wear and acceptable Indian party wear has been modified to suit the new generation, keeping the essence of the dress as customary as possible but still giving a global feel. Off shoulder blouses, mixing jackets with sarees, capes and ponchos have all become widely accepted in the society.

There are many designers in India that have contributed to the wedding fashion industry nationally and internationally. But only a few have been able to connect with the masses emotionally, keeping in mind and influencing the middle class as well by retaining the tradition and culture in every Indian attire they display.

• Manish Malhotra– A well known entity in the industry, Manish Malhotra is one of the most influential designers in the country. He has a way of expressing himself through his clothes like none other. Intricate gowns with long trains make for a memorable entry for any bride on her big day, with capes and ponchos being a suitable outfit for the nearest and dearest.

• Gaurav Gupta– Mixing the essence of the global effect with Indian wear is sort of an expertise for this designer. You yourself have to be bold enough to try and actually do justice to his amazing bridal strapless/off shoulder gowns, or go in for his proprietary saree gowns, lehenga sarees or half sarees being the best friends of the bride – respecting and keeping the tradition of the dress intact, but fused with a modern touch for the modern Indian.

• Gauri and Nainika– Hailing from the capital, these sisters have embraced the Indian fashion industry with all its glory and established themselves in the hearts of Indians and foreigners alike. Inspired by European fashion history, music, theatre and their mother’s pictures from the 70’s the duo creates stunning off-shoulder and asymmetric gowns which are a beauty in themselves along with the layered/ruffle gowns for the bride to feel the best she ever has!

• Rohit Bal – Beautiful and very well know peacock and lotus motifs cover some of the designs spun from this designers yarn. Rohit Bal, originally form Jammu and Kashmir, is deeply inspired by Indian grandeur and royalty, creating masterpieces often made with rich fabrics like velvet and brocade. Looking classy at weddings and other occasions is never an issue with the jacket gowns, full sleeved gowns and empire waist gowns designed by him.

• Samant Chauhan – Also hailing from the capital, Samanth Chauhan designs and works mostly with hand woven Indian textiles. His lines of design are simple and clean-cut. Off shoulder and asymmetric gowns designed by him are renowned world over. His use of capes and ponchos to suit formal and informal events along with a huge collection of bridal gowns, he is sought after by a lot of people!

With such a vast country comes and even larger task of designing for it keeping everybody in mind! The idea is to create a unique design, but, it should also be able to influence the country as a whole and not only the niche class. The outfit should be accepted in all levels of the society to be truly inspirational.