Monsoon wedding

City store launches festive sari collection from Vikram Phadnis, Raakesh Agarvwal

Monsoon wedding on your calendar? Though the season may not be the most fashion friendly, a city designer store is launching a sari festival to help customers find the right drape. Fuel on Chowpatty, Girgaum, launches their collection of specially commissioned saris by leading designers like Vikram Phadnis, Rabani & Rakha, Charu Parashar and Raakesh Agarvwal.

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Festive shopping

The date was chosen keeping in mind festivals like Raksha Bandhan and Ganesh Chaturthi that take place in August. Says store owner Falguni Jhaveri, "Lately, it’s become chic for young women to wear saris during the festive season. The collections have all been designed keeping this trend in mind. These saris are different from traditional options because they’re funky and elegant, just right for girls in their 20s."

One designer to look out for is Neeta Bhargava, whose forte is hand-printed saris. She lists the key trends for the season, saying, “I’ve used tulle and georgette as fabrics for my saris, making them suitable for women of all ages. The prominent colours in the collection are red, orange and rust.” Designer Gopi Vaid also believes warm colors are the way to go.“ I’ve used a lot of burnt orange, red and aubergine in my garments. The vibrancy of these colors is apt for the festive season,” she says.

Her saris, which extensively feature two-toned chiffon and net variants, have been designed specifically for pre-wedding parties and events. Special features of the collection are the frill lehengas and colour-blocked saris.

“The lehengas have a layered look and are very popular with young girls as they are light and easy to wear,” she adds. Apart from trendy saris for young girls, the exhibition, on from June 30 to July 2, also features bridal saris for wedding trousseaus.