The best of bridal wear on show

Models displaying collections of various designers from India and Pakistan at the Bride & Groom Show in New Delhi on Wednesday.
THE THREE-day Bride and Groom Exhibition that began at Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi on Friday has much to offer for all -- the bride, the groom and their families. Organised by the International Trade and Exhibitions India Private Limited, visitors to the exhibition can not only have a face-to-face interaction with reputed designers and buy their colourful collections, but also choose from a wide assortment of items on display.
Designer Renu Dadlani -- synonymous with her label "Prateeksha" -- is exhibiting her collection "Colour Dreams". "The lehengas are ethnic and traditional. Earlier I used to make them with cotton thread. Now I have given them a contemporary touch by making them with silk threads."
Up for grabs are lehengas with sequences like Swarovski and stones. Each piece requires about two months' time and ten karigars are needed to create it. Renu's work has been accentuated by intricate chikankari.
With friendship replacing hostilities between India and Pakistan, eminent Pakistani designers are also participating.
Unlike Indian designers who excel in chikankari, Pakistanis dressmakers show their unique craftsmanship with zardozi.
Syed Afzaal Ali -- whose label "Lajwanti" is famous not only in Lahore but also in England -- says: "My forte is in zardosi. I am responsible for cuts and motifs while my better half does colour schemes."
In Afzaal's creations -- lehengas, shoes, purses -- lots of traditional work like salma sitara, resham and Western elements like crystals and metal wires have been used. "Both our countries have almost the same culture. I can incorporate some changes in my collection to suit the needs of the Indian market."
Famous Kanpur designer Ragini Singhania is displaying her "Attiraante" collection at the exhibition. "It is a decent opening. I have come out with Italian designs and European colour combinations. My bridal dresses have delicate and sophisticated touch," she says.
Renowned designer Najeeba Zulfiqar is also showcasing her collection.
"My bridal collection is a fusion between Victorian and Morroccan. This is my fifth visit to India and I have a number of high-profile Indian clientele like Shilpa Shetty, Shabana Azmi, Daler Mehendi and Sunidhi Chauhan. Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar while doing a video with our actress Resham wore a dress designed by me."
According to Najeeba, about ten per cent of the proceeds from the sale of this exhibition would go to her charity "Fatmi Foundation" that works for patients suffering from thalessemia.
From Delhi's bustling Chandni Chowk, the Balujas -- known for their elaborate footwear-- are displaying their shoes and attractive purses. According to Mouj Baluja, "Chandni Chowk has become a wedding hub. The idea is to give the customers an idea of the varieties of shoes we have in our shop. Our shoes are manufactured in leather and synthetic. We have shoes from Hong Kong also. Though our shoes are not for sale as it is difficult to get different sizes, we have both Indian and imported purses on sale.