BRIDAL SPLENDOUR: Threads of Love

When it comes to offering timeless masterpieces for brides-to-be, nobody does it better than JADE. This year, Monica Shah and Karishma Swali have brought out their bridal couture collection ‘Threads of Love’ - a hypnotic coming together of EkTaar, a painstaking craft form that has become synonymous with JADE with new age silhouettes. The duo has taken their commitment to craft a step further by bringing a long-held dream to life: a collaboration with The Gondwana Art Project, a community of artists under the aegis of Craft and Community Development Foundation (CCDF). The collaboration sees an integration of artworks from The Gondwana Art Project across different creative expressions such as Gond, Bhil, and Warli. Here, Monica tells us more about the collection:

- Monica Shah and Karishma Swali

Every bridal collection has an inspiration or a story behind it. Tell us what it was for Threads of Love?

Threads of love is a coming together of two art forms – couture and indigenous arts, much like marriage is the coming together of two individuals and families. Our aim was to not only bring out the beauty of Indian folk art for all to see and cherish, but also convey to brides-to-be that their bridal ensembles are works of art themselves. We wanted to have pieces that they will treasure as such and also give them the opportunity to have their own heirloom pieces.

What is it about the EkTaar technique that makes the outfit stand out from the others? Also, how has the technique been applied and incorporated into the collection?

The detailing, the intricacy of the craft, but above all, its versatility. EkTaar can be interpreted across medium and aesthetics and can be effortlessly adapted into just any style, making it perfect for the women of today, who appreciate their roots but also have a global sensibility. We have used it in our traditional lehengas as well as modern jackets.

Can you elaborate on some of the fabrics and colours that form the mainstay of the collection this time?