Actors Ali Fazal and Aditi Rao Hydari turned heads in their traditional avatars as they walked the ramp for designer Raghavendra Rathore at the ongoing BMW India Bridal Fashion Week in New Delhi.
While the 27-year-old Fukrey actor wore a pink sherwani (knee-length coat) teamed with dhoti (long loincloth), Hydari rocked a golden bandhgala (formal evening suit) jacket worn with white saree and gold jewellery.
“I would really consider wearing a dhoti on my wedding because Raghavendra has styled me so well. I feel so good wearing a dhoti because it is our traditional wear,” Fazal said.
Hydari also praised Rathore’s display of dhotis, saying he has taken an initiative to make them look trendy. She said his collection reminded her of her grandfather, who used to wear jodhpuri clothes a lot.
“The outfits he has put together are so interesting and I am a huge fan of his menswear, so I feel amazing in this bandhgala jacket. The biggest thing is that he has brought dhoti back to mainstream fashion, which is commendable,” the 28-year-old actress said.
The collection comprised dhotis, which were given a modern twist by combining it with jackets, kurtas and sherwanis in hues of peach, golden, white and red. His women’s collection was dominated by bandhgala jackets worn with pants, pajamas, pallazos and lehangas (skirts).
“My collection is inspired by patriotism. There has been so much written about the dhoti, that I wanted to include it in my display. It feels great to know that simple clothes are back in fashion and not just heavy ensembles,” Rathore said.
The designer added spunk to his traditional collection by playing western tunes as the models walked in Indian bridal ensembles.
“I recently designed a whole wedding in Paris with ethnic wear, so I feel it is always nice and important to throw in cross-cultural ideas. It took me three days to decide on the music,” he said.
It was a packed house for Rathore’s show, with guests including Congress lawmaker Jyotiraditya Scindia, former cricketer Atul Wassan, sarod brothers Amaan and Ayaan Ali Khan, socialite Priya Chatwal and actress Karisma Kapoor’s estranged husband Sanjay Kapur, among others cheering the designer.
