Anita Dongre’s latest bridal collection ‘There She Glows’ is a love letter to Indian crafts, marrying contemporary silhouettes with motifs inspired by nature. The line is inspired by the designer’s forever muse: the modern bride whose roots are inherently Indian but her spirit is transient across geographies.
Luscious fabrics are dipped in a palette seen by a bird in the sky, from midnight to sunrise. Inky blues that shift into shades of daybreak. Rich ivories and soft blushes of dawn, a hint of sage before the rising sun echoes in a lineup of signature reds and a never seen before intense hue of garnet, sparking joy in our Avani lehenga.
‘There She Glows’ celebrates century-old craftsmanship, a key pillar of the brand, where every detail is hand-placed and every ensemble is one-of-a-kind. The Urvara skirt set is a glorious showcase of their signature Pichhwai hand-painted on a contemporary silhouette, a technique that took 3800 hours to complete, while the Nayaab skirt set is glorified with Lippan mirror work that hails from Kutch, Gujarat. Pastel looks from the Alakana lehenga line are all elaborately hand-embroidered by the women of SEWA (Self Employed Women’s Association), a movement Dongre actively advocates for, with workmanship that takes 2200 hours per piece. A delectable combination of resham, sequin and zardosi work all come to life in this collection, with the addition of Gota patti as a tribute to Dongre’s Rajasthani roots.
With a modern mindset, our bride is unafraid to experiment with unconventional cuts, crops and silhouettes, from pantsuits with veils to lehengas with pockets. The Kusha corset, the Mihika pleated cocktail dress, the Akila longline jacket are all evocative of the playful mood and nowness of this collection. Even the classic lehengas make a loud statement in quiet luxury.
Says the designer, “I wanted this collection to resonate with the eternally graceful, fuss-free bride who wants to celebrate her big day, joining in all the fun while looking effortlessly graceful. It has been a joy to work with the women artisans of SEWA, learning from the crafts they use to make everyday living beautiful– a gift of craft culture handed from one artisan community to the world.”
