Aashni + Co Wedding Show

Really excited to share this very special post with you all. Have to warn you that it is a long post but I had lots to share too! Last weekend I went to the most awaited Asian wedding show in London courtesy Aashni + Co. I think it’s probably the first time in London we had so many Indian fashion luminaries under one roof. I was in designer heaven – from top tier designers like Sabyasachi and Tarun Tahiliani to new emerging talent like Anushree Reddy and Arpita Mehta.

I have to say that the event was very grand. It presented high-end bridal and occasion wear to the UK audience.

The event took place at The Dorchester Hotel London and was designed and produced by luxury wedding planners Zouch & Lamare. I was really pleased to see how well the venue was styled and presented. Here are some glimpses of the venue styling.

My first designer stop was fashion royal Sabyasachi Mukherji. He is one of my favourite Indian designers and I honestly believe that owing a Sabyasachi creation is like owning a piece of Indian Fashion history. Sabyasachi’s design philosophy is simple – personalised imperfection of the human hand. I consider him the master craftsman and was privileged to be in his company. I asked him if he thinks London brides are demanding and he jokingly said “ Oh yes very”. Sabyasachi is India’s fashion royalty yet he is so humble and grounded. He describes his own collection as “an International styling with an Indian soul” and his creations were very popular with event crowd.

It was a packed event and I was glad to be a part of it. Here are some of my favourites.

Shehla Khan – Shehla was exhibiting in London for the first time. I asked her about her collection on display and this is what she had to say: she has two collections on display – one the signature Shehla Khan collection and the other a very feminine, delicate, and pastel bridal and trousseau collection specially designed for the event.

Arpita Mehta – She describes her styles as easy, fun, glamorous and fresh, the label concentrates on understated, attractive and detailed silhouettes. The collection on display was extension of her signature mirror work presented in a modern way.

Nikasha – I was glad to discover Nikasha at the event. I found her collection very fresh and really like the interesting use of colours. The collection was young and amusing, specially for brides who want to experiment and have fun with their choices. The collection featured gota patti embroidery and sequin work.

Anushree Reddy – Her label stands out for its bursts of vivacious colour, glamour, and easy-to-wear garments. She has envisaged a label that creates breath-taking, feminine Indian wear with a hint of Nawabi royalty.

Monisha Thahryamal – Monisha’s clothes reflect a lot of Indian charm and has a traditional touch to them. The collection uses a lot of aari and gotta patti work. I personally loved her style, its traditional yet modern in appeal.

Image source – Monisha Thahryamal  facebook 

Tarun Tahiliani – Tarun Tahiliani Design Studio creates couture, diffusion and prêt-a-porter that are Indian in their sensibility, yet international in their appeal. His designs were again very popular with the crowd and he truly engaged with his audience.

Anamika Khanna – Fashionista Sonam Kapoor loves her clothes. Her designs and her dhoti drapes are to die for. Such a focus on cuts and drapes makes her clothes stand out. She is definitely on my wishlist of designer outfits.

Aashni + Co Wedding event presented established, A-list fashion houses to the crème of new gen talent, namely. Some of the other featured designers were Ashima-Leena, Elisha W, Jaipur Gems, Kotwara by Meera and Mufazzar Ali, Manish Malhotra, Pallavi Jaikishan, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Rimple and Harpreet Narula, and Varun Bahl.

Other wedding realted business represented at the event were The Photo Emporium, Cakes by Krishanti, Ambreen Make Up Artist and Aamir Naveed Hair.

In the end I had a quick chat with Aashni Shah, Founder and Creative Director, Aashni + Co. She shared that she is really humbled to have all the esteemed designers come to London to display their collections and their work speaks for itself.

Aashni + Co concept store Notting Hill stocks all these featured designers. The store stocks haute couture, ready-to-wear collections, jewellery and accessories.

I had a great time browsing the collection and interacting with designers personally. My experience got better as I enjoyed the afternoon with my fabulous bunch of Asian fashion Bloggers who were out there in full swing.

Asian fashion bloggers – Desi Dossier | London Ki Ladki

I hope you enjoyed reading my experience. Please do share who is your favourite Indian designer with me here.