Bridal twist to Goa fashion do

Destination weddings are all the rage at beach fashion week.

Despite Indian fashion's potential for beach and resort wear, desi designers have taken to catering to the overwhelming obsession with destination weddings. The Gionee India Beach Fashion Week that took place in Goa over the weekend was a strong indicator of the same.

The show began with Delhi designer Anupama Dayal, who brought alive her bohemian spirit in a range of salwar kameezes, lehengas, long kurtas and dupattas for easy-breezy wedding wear. Meanwhile, Day 2 continued with the predisposition to traditional silhouettes and destination brides. Actor Neha Dhupia walked the ramp for designer Sangeeta Sharma in a red lehenga with golden foliage embroidered on the skirt, teamed with a plain red blouse and matching dupatta draped across her torso. Keeping her hair tightly pulled back into a bun, the actor sported striking gold statement earrings and looked smart as the showstopper.

The other 'lady in red' for the day was Main Aur Charles star Richa Chadda, who walked for designer Mayyur R Girotra's cocktail couture collection. She wore a deep red lehenga with an embroidered blouse and net dupatta with embroidered roses on the border. Also spotted during the shows were TV host Maria Goretti, who wore a smart tie-dye maxi skirt and Amyra Dastur, who wore a baby blue lehenga and croptop ensemble.

In contrast, deconstructed silhouettes and asymmetrical hemlines were the other extreme of inspiration, as was seen in outfits by Hyderabad-based designer Asmita Marwah. Inspired by SH Raza's paintings, the monochrome ensembles were in natural fabrics and featured frayed edges and large bindus or circles.

Actors Anjala Zaveri and Tarun Arora walked as showstoppers in traditional garments, but Bahubali star Rana Daggubati was the highlight of the show, as the imposing star strutted down in black harem pants and acid-green panelled kurta and a dupatta. One of the smarter lines of the first two days was by label 'Advitiya by Esha Sethi Thirani'. It had a grey and blue-toned sweeping maxi dress paired with an embroidered cape, and a high-neck concept blouse with cutout panels that was paired with a grey and cream long skirt.

Meanwhile, designer Shweta Puthran presented some summer-smart separates with printed chiffon skirts and kimono jackets paired with swimsuits and crop tops. The inspiration for the prints was south Indian temples and dances, and made for an interesting collection. Actress Divya Kumar Khosla walked as the showstopper for designer Babita Malkani in a flared one-shoulder top, paired with wide legged pants.

The finale slots for Day 1 and Day 2 were taken by established names. Designer James Ferreira showcased his skill for construction in a range of printed dresses, tops and skirts in the muchawaited last show of Day 1. Talking to MAILTODAY, he said: "The fabric takes a shape of its own because it is based on the Issey Miyake pleat. It was a lot of fun to do this show, as it should be." In true spirit, James ended his line with his signature dance on the ramp.

Finally, the last show on Day 2 was certainly a test of commitment to fashion, as it began around midnight. Rocky S continued with his penchant for glimmer in a sporty line of hit-and-miss pieces. While a sequinned heavy dress and lame sweatshirt with sequins embroidery on the neck were passable, the faux-leather pants and pleated mini-skirts were questionable designs. VJ Anusha Dandekar walked the runway in a golden sequins shift dress with a smart pair of strappy shoes and beach-wave mane.