Ready-to-wear saris becoming popular in India, says designer

Kolkata, Nov 24 : Ready-to-wear saris are fast gaining popularity in India, said Kolkata-based fashion designer Radhika Singhi here Monday.

"Indian women are becoming more inclined to use ready-to-wear, hassle-free party-wear saris and lahengas. There is a growing demand for cocktail dresses like gown-cum-saris as well," Singhi told IANS at the launch of her new bridal wear collection at her boutique Threads.

The designer said women today want to wear dresses similar to what Indian celebrities wear at international events like the Cannes Film Festival.

"Women today want to wear Indian dresses similar to those worn by Indian celebs at Cannes and other events. And hence instead of traditional heavy bridal wears they prefer to wear gown-cum-saris," she added.

Singhi, who has been designing bridal wear for the past three years, said besides bright colours, brides these days prefer pastel colours.

"Besides traditional colours like red and maroon, today's brides are also choosing pastel colours like peach, powder blue, off-white, rusty red and muddy greys - that are very English - for their shaadi ka joda (bridal dress)," she said.

The designer added that young brides and bridegrooms are laying more stress on comfortable fabrics, patterns and colours rather than on embellishments.

"The trend for wedding dress for both man and woman is minimal embellishments on comfortable fabric like silk, chiffons or organza," Singhi said.