BRINGING TOGETHER EVERYTHING from designer wear, bespoke jewellery to wedding planners, photographers and caterers — all under one roof, the ladies wing of JITO (Jain International Trade Organisation) is launching The Bridal Story, a curated wedding exhibition. “There are a lot of lifestyle exhibitions happening in the city every week. We wanted to put together something as niche as a wedding exhibition by featuring top exhibitors of the country,” says Sonali Dugar, chairperson of JITO, who conceptualised the two-day showcase.
The event will feature top designer labels like Falguni Shane Peacock, Anju Modi, Gaurav Gupta, Rahul Gandhi + Rohit Khanna, Shantanu Goenka and Evoluzione with their bridal collection. Among jewellers, Mehta & Sons, Preksha Gems, Challani jewellers, Zahav, Silver Emporium and PMJ Jewels will be part of the showcase. “JITO is spread across over 70 chapters in and outside India. After the show’s launch in Chennai, it will be taken to Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and London,” shares Sonali, adding that they plan to host The Bridal Story every year.
Designer dream
One of the main highlights of the event is Mumbai-based designer label Falguni Shane Peacock with their collection Bonjour Amer. “At the event, we will be showcasing our bridal line. The collection will also include a few pieces from the India Couture Week. Predominantly, there will be lehengas, anarkalis, and kurtis alongside some resort wear for those who don’t have a wedding coming up but have travel plans and such. We are bringing a mix of everything we have,” says Falguni. “The pieces are with a lot of crystal and applique work and we have used dreamy pastel colours. The collection is inspired by my travels to Jaipur and we have created our own version of festoons and the city palace and integrated it to the collection,” she adds.
Kolkata-based designer Shantanu Goenka, who is showcasing his collection in the city for the first time says he is bringing a mix of saris, lehengas and gowns. “The collection we are bringing is going to be a mixed bag of our traditional and modern cocktail lines. We will be featuring capsule collections of everything we have,” shares Shantanu.
Pearls & polki
Bringing a trousseau of over 270 items, from toe rings to nail ornaments, Mumbai-based Jewellers Mehta & Sons will also be part of the exhibition. “This is our first showcase in Chennai and we are bringing our high-end bridal jewellery. There will also be some unique sets of earrings, a fabulous range of solitaires and some exquisite designer bridal jewellery,” says Narendra Mehta, owner of Mehta & Sons.
Their collections such as Eternal Embrace (wrist ornaments crafted in filigree pattern and encrusted with princess-cut rubies, emeralds and white diamonds), Rajwada (necklace-and-earring set with polki diamonds and blue takkar stones and pearls) and Nizam-i-Baali (earrings encrusted with uncut diamonds and pearls) are pieces to look forward to.
September 14- 15
10.30 am to 8 pm at Taj Coromandel.
fathima@newindianexpress.com | @fathiimaashraf