For those of you who don’t know what India Couture Week is, it is an exclusive fashion week where top Indian couturiers display their latest couture collections. Before the pandemic had hit the country, this fashion week used to take place in Delhi but for the past two years, we’re seeing the digital edition of the fashion week take place.

This year’s ICW 2021 lineup included top couturiers such as Manish Malhotra, Falguni & Shane Peacock, and Gaurav Gupta to name a few. These couturiers presented some of the most beautiful bridal pieces we’ve ever seen and if you’re a to-be bride or someone who has to attend a close wedding, we have found the most gorgeous outfits from these collections.

Scroll below to check out our top picks!

Bridal Couture At India Couture Week 2021

1. Nooraniyat by Manish Malhotra

The ICW kickstarted with ace designer Manish Malhotra. ’Nooraniyat’ is the latest collection of the designer which consists of immaculate traditional bridal outfits for all to-be brides who have dreamed of donning a quintessential red or golden bridal lehenga while growing up. You will find magnificent colours in Malhotra’s latest collection such as sacred reds, plush peaches, scintillating golds on his signature trails, sheer veils and layering drapes.

2. The Eternal Story by Anju Modi

Paying tribute to generational legacy, Anju Modi’s latest bridal collection, ‘The Eternal Story’ revolves around the concept of personal values, and cultural traditions in the form of family heirlooms nurtured from generation to generation. The brand’s focus with this collection was to preserve the heritage and they rightly did so with their collection of vintage textiles, block prints, unique designs and surreal colours. From the bride to the mother of the bride, there’s something for everyone for the big day!

3. Vision Quest by Kunal Rawal

Kunal Rawal is known for his dapper styles and unique designs. Every grooming who is set to tie the knot wants to don at least one outfit from Rawal’s collection because of how well it makes them look. For his latest collection, the designer wanted to bring freshness to tradition and he did so by introducing metallic tones, new hues like lilac and lemon, and one-of-a-kind glow-in-dark embroideries.

Talk about revolutionising Indian men’s fashion, huh!? 

4. Artisanal Dawn by Tarun Tahiliani

Famous Indian bridal couturier Tarun Tahiliani for his couture collection presented six capsule collections; each of which displays an Indian modern design aesthetic. From craftsmanship work to intricate embroidery work, all the bridal pieces are stupendous. You'd find contemporary designs as well as modern ones which can help you achieve your dream bridal look. 

Scroll below and see for yourself!

5. Alchemize by Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna

Known for their sharp silhouettes such as tuxedos, dresses, gowns and whatnot, this year designer duo Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna focused on cutwork. They also used a lot of sheer fabric to show the female’s silhouette without making it seems odd or vulgar. This also happened to be the designers’ first couture collection. Ladies, we think you should check out their collection for your cocktail or reception function!

6. Zuri by Reynu Taandon

‘Zuri’ means inner beauty. With her latest bridal collection, designer Reynu Taandon celebrated a beautiful amalgamation of a floral dream & feminine pristine. Her collection consisted of exquisite silhouettes, some of which had unique designs, embellishments and floral motifs. From light and breezy outfits which are perfect for your intimate functions to grand and puffy bridal outfits for your more formal functions such as cocktail or sangeet, Reynu Taandon has made sure that there is something for every single bride.

7. Metanoia by Amit Aggarwal

Famous Indian couturier Amit Aggarwal’s couture collection consisted of 35 designs; each outfit better than the last one. From unique hues such as moss, sage, forest green to innovative new designs like 3D hand embroidered lehengas and sarees, Aggarwal has gone above and beyond with this collection. So, to all you millennial and fashionista brides, trust Amit Aggarwal’s latest collection for your bridal needs!

8. Universal Love by Gaurav Gupta

Gaurav Gupta was probably one of the first couturiers in India to revolutionize bridal fashion so when we found out that he is displaying his collection at the ICW, we knew it was going to be amazing. ‘Universal Love’ is glamorous, glittering and so fabulous that you cannot help but fall head over heels for GG’s outfits. Ranging from soft hues such as candy pink to darker ones like a Neptune blue, the designer has again presented a dreamy collection. If you’re a hardcore GG fan like us, you too are gonna be drooling over ‘Universal Love’ and will be going with one of the outfits for your upcoming wedding!

9. Noor by Suneet Varma

Suneet Varma with his latest collection aimed to fulfil the bridal needs of all those couples who have always dreamed of having a lavish wedding as well as those who would rather go with an intimate one. He aims to please the younger crowd aka the millennial couples who simply want to celebrate their love together. The collection ranges from hues like bright pink, mint, ice blue to yellow and silver. This time Varma also played around with his standard silhouettes and introduced off-shoulder necklines, ruffle detailing, scalloped backs and whatnot. Indeed an ideal collection for all the millennial brides out there.

10. Love is by Falguni Shane Peacock

Designer duo Falguni & Shane Peacock made history by filming their bridal collection at the Taj Mahal, Agra. The first designers ever to do this, the duo crafted a collection that is so magnificent that you’ll get the whole package- a traditional look, intricate embroidery, a chic silhouette and lots of drama! 

‘Love is,’ is inspired by the monument of love – the Taj Mahal. The details of the collection seek to translate the visionary saga of love by borrowing from the beauty of the Taj Mahal. From transcribing the innumerable motifs of the architectural gem on ensembles to varnishing them with refined adornments of Swarovski crystals, pearls, mirrors, sequins and beads. The collection is a medley of colours that scale from mellow muted tones such as baked beige and pearl ivory to pastels like rose pink and mint green, even extending to deeper tones like emerald green, royal purple, turquoise and valiant poppy. A splash of metallic hues viz. silvers and gold elevate the grandeur while adding a dash of glamour. The intricate crafting techniques replicated the structural marvel on the fabric via architectural motifs of domes and minarets, the filigree of foliage, and motifs of the century’s fauna and birds. The line is innovational in terms of method but strongly rooted in terms of approach, a signature aesthetic of the label. The cuts are traditional yet au courant, think trailed Lehenga, fitted-and-flared silhouettes, and ball gown-style Lehengas that make for a befitting wedding day bridal trousseau.

The collection Love is, has been crafted completely by hand to showcase the distinct handwriting and talents of a cluster of about 250 craftsmen from the FSP-adopted villages of Malihati, Islampur, Midnapore, Kharagpur and Marhtala in West Bengal with the couture signatures of Falguni Shane Peacock. The intricate detailing juxtaposed against the backdrop of the Taj Mahal presents a mesmerising tableau of Indian craft traditions and couture expertise to the world at a time when the spotlight on travel and conscious support towards artisans is shining brighter than ever before. Heritage jewellery brand ‘Narayan Jewellers’ by Ketan and Jatin Chokshi, is the official jewellery partner for the show. 

Oh! And, Shraddha Kapoor is wearing a deep red-based, intricately embroidered light golden Lehenga with floral motifs and geometric details, that is adorned with beads, crystals and sequins. The handcrafted, full-sleeved blouse is replete with foliage and grid work details and completed with tassels. The ensemble is styled with a scallop-bordered Dupatta encrusted with crystals and beads.

One look at the collection and you too will be dazzled by each and every single piece. From your cocktail function to your wedding day, there is an outfit for each and every wedding function of yours.

11. Couture Collection by Anamika Khanna

Anamika Khanna's couture collection is an emotion, a way of rejoicing beauty. It is an acceptance of what is, and a celebration of what we are given. This way we pay homage to the most intricate crafts of India, take from there, the spirit of what was and what will be for eternity. The designer's collection is full of bright colours, intricate embroidery, and whatnot. If you're looking for traditional options with a twist of style for your upcoming wedding, look no further than Khanna's couture collection.

12. Memory/Mosaic by Varun Bahl Couture

Varun Bahl's couture collection is known as Memory / Mosaic and this collection happens to be one of his more millennial-friendly collections. The designer has put his focus on prints that will instantly transport you to a bohemian time. From the capes to the printed lehengas, there's so much for not just a to-be bride but also her sister and her other bridesmaids! 

13. Oasis by Shantanu & Nikhil   

Oasis by Shantanu and Nikhil is an amalgamation of gipsy prints with flowy silhouettes. The designer duo is known for their bridal outfits for men but with this collection, they've included a few outfits for the to-be brides too. Shantanu and Nikhil's outfits are ideal for all those couples who are looking for powerful, crisp and well-constructed bridal outfits for the big day. These are no conventional Indianwear pieces. 

14. Scintilla by Amit GT Couture

Amit GT Couture's latest couture collection Scintilla is a celebration of nature's small things like dewdrops, vivid colours, natural light, bright blooms, etc. The collection consists of surreal gowns and grand lehengas full of details such as ruffles, sequins work, feathers and tulle. So all you to-be brides out there should give this collection a good look because you will find something for your Roka, cocktail or reception function!

15. Nazm-e-Mahal by Ashima-Leena

With their latest couture collection, designer duo Ashima and Leena has proved that no matter what day and age, there is a certain charm that will always be there with it comes to traditional wear. Yes, we're talking about heritage designs which have been around since the beginning of time. The designers have presented a lovely collection which comprises of traditional lehengas, straight suits and graceful sarees which will remind you of the times when your grandmother and mom used to get ready and you used to dream of looking so beautiful like them someday!

16. Afterglow by Pankaj & Nidhi

Designer duo Pankaj and Nidhi have been known to present structured clothes which you can wear on any normal day but this time the designers participated in the India Couture Week and stunned us all with their couture collection. We witnessed drop-dead gorgeous pieces like shimmery gowns, lehengas with statement shoulders, co-ord sets with a long drape in the back and so much more. This collection is for all you millennial girlfriends out there who have a wedding to attend or play the role of a bridesmaid. This collection is surely going to make heads turn in your direction! 

17. Ambrosia by Siddartha Tytler 

 Designer Siddhartha Tytler's couture collection is unlike anything you've seen before. Get ready to check out an all-white collection that is not just perfect for your intimate functions but will also look kickass on your grand functions. For the to-be grooms, Tytler has introduced sequins work which will help our dapper men stand out on their wedding functions. The silhouettes are grand, flowy and look super comfy. One of our favourite couture collections, indeed!  

18. Kam-Khāb by Rahul Mishra

‘Kam’ translates to ‘less’ and ‘khaab’ refers to a ‘nap’—‘Kamkhab’ is a sequence of dreams woven together like a garland of artistic musing, of emotions and of instances that we’ve subconsciously lived through, multiple times in our minds. As an emotion of personalised artistry, it is the hand painting of frescos on the walls of a family home. The vision of its inhabitants adorned on its lime plaster surfaces with vegetable and stone dyes, immortalised in craft and beauty. Similar to love poems, hand-embroidered on a piece of clothing, delicately holding together dreams and reality.

Rahul Mishra's Kamkhab is a collection of garments developed at our atelier during two lockdowns, through the breaking and rebuilding of hope, resilience and the fluctuating strength of love. When sometimes, a khaat (embroidery frame) would be abandoned for months to remain and be resumed later by a different person. Much like a garden after the process of seeding—soaking its sun and water. Each sapling taking its own sweet time to produce flowers. And the clothes, emerging out of a different verse of the same poem, each tell a different part of the same story.

So brides & grooms, which is your favourite couture collection from the above list? Head to our Facebook page and tell us!

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