A STYLIST'S GUIDE THE BRIDAL LOOKBOOK

With the wedding season in full swing, Brides Today assembles Tanya Ghavri, Shaleena Nathani and Aastha Sharma—the trinity endorsed by the icons of Bollywood—to help you build your bridal trousseau.

- HUNAR BHATIA

In the digital age we live in, where everything is made for everyone and lasts forever, brides have found the perfect solution to their myriad needs— bridal stylists. They undertake everything from decoding a bride’s personality and vision to curating ensembles tailored to their events, budget, body type and complexion. As the demand for bespoke ensembles and assiduous aesthetics grow, bridal stylists have emerged as both guides and catalysts for self expression, curating couture that fuses high fashion with personal narratives, enabling each bride to tell her story through every stitch and silhouette.

In conversations three celebrity favourite stalwart stylists—Tanya Ghavri, the visionary behind The Dhoom Dhaam Company; Shaleena Nathani (think Shibani Akhtar and Deepika Padukone’s wedding looks); and Aastha Sharma of The Wedding Style Project—Brides Today brings you their insights on everything bridalwear.

UNRAVELLING THEIR VISION

Essentially, it’s perfect styling when the bridalwear of choice brings out the woman’s essence and echoes her personality, rather than seem forced. For our trinity of stylists, “decoding the bride” was the unanimous answer to their starting point. Shaleena says, “For me, it’s vital to spend a good amount of time with my brides to understand their preferences, and then come up with something fresh and go beyond the stereotypes of what one can and cannot wear.”

And for anyone starting their bridal attire venture, the advice is simple—research, research and research. “From the location to the weather, everything comes into consideration while building the mood board, which is an activity I make all my brides do,” Tanya explains. “Being organised and discussing each and every aspect of the wedding refines the look we’re trying to accomplish.”

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