Shantanu Goenka tells The Telegraph about his showcase and talks about all things wedding.
How are you preparing for the showcase?
We are preparing a wholesome look for the entire wedding. There are different sections in the line comprising looks for engagement, Mehndi, sangeet, cocktail and of course the wedding. Besides, there is a timeless trousseau line which has our signature embroideries and classic silhouettes. It’s not only about the bride and groom but about anyone attending any part of the wedding extravaganza.
Tell us how you’ve curated the whole wedding show.
The show has been curated keeping in mind the entire look of our outfits with the perfect jewellery, drape and suggestions for hair and make-up as well. Not only the ensembles but also we have designed the entire look of a wedding in sync with the collection, be it the floral decor, food, music, silverware and gifting options as well as wedding photography. We have collaborated with some of the best talents from Kolkata specialising in their respective fields for a unique shopping experience.
Our partners are Nemichand Bamalwa & Sons with their exquisite jewellery, Baisakhi Ghosh of Baisakhi’s for decor conceptualisation and design, Shashvat Dhandhania of To Die For for curated wedding cuisine, bespoke music by DJ Vicky (Vicky Metharamani), Dolly Jain for sari draping, silverware and gift items from Rivvaz by Rinku Choudhary, wedding photography by Lensocrat by Rajesh Gupta, social media by Ripple Effect by Sanjanaa Ajmera and event handling expertise by Emerald Events by Nidhi Poddar.
What is the core of the showcase?
Shalini (Nopany), Pooja (Goenka) and I had been going back and forth with the idea of doing something again like our fairy tale show. My wife Tripti was the one who came up with the idea of a wedding show and it came about from there. I wanted to make it the heart of Kolkata. We have the best artisans in Kolkata and I wanted to bring out the best of our craftsmanship through this show. It’s also a retrospective of all my signature works and celebrating more than 20 years in fashion. So here we are presenting The Haute Indian Wedding.
Who are your bride and bridegrooms?
My brides and bridegrooms are the ones who dress to bring out their personalities on their wedding days and not let the clothes overpower them. They are today’s youth who believe in sustainable fashion and cherish their wedding outfits even after a decade and believe and understand my craftsmanship.
The collection has a distinct youth feel...
Yes, because it caters to the youth of today, striking a balance between the classic and traditional with the modern. It’s not over the top and is toned down on bling with layers of embroidery. We have tried to get the sari back to the bride with a youthful and easy twist, which has become a forgotten essential in their wardrobe.
What, according to you, is the mood of a wedding this season?
The mood of a wedding this season is about going back to the pomp and show which was missed during Covid times. Brides are more practical and see their usability of heavy Indian clothes, hence the idea of trousseau has taken a back seat. It’s more about the need of the hour. It’s more about enjoying the wedding with close family and friends. People are also looking out for a curated wedding, which is personalised and just not going overboard with peer pressure.
Shantanu Goenka
My brides and bridegrooms are the ones who dress to bring out their personalities on their wedding days and not let the clothes overpower them
Shantanu Goenka
What: The Haute Indian Wedding
Where: 85 Lansdowne, 85B Sarat Bose Road
When: August 24 and 25; 11am to 7pm
Fresh and cool is the mood of this frame. Mohammed Iqbal is in a mustard sleeveless long bundi embroidered in fine Kashmiri stitches paired with matching kurta and dhoti pants. Tanisha complements him in a lemon tulle layered lehnga with applique and beadwork. The statement emerald and diamond earrings and cocktail ring and the emeralds and diamonds bracelet/cuff, complete the look
The colours on Iqbal and Diti lend the picture richness. While Iqbal is in a black pleated choga with fine Kashmiri embroidery, Diti looks beautiful in a burgundy heavily embroidered mochi lehnga with tiny mirrors and thread, matching blouse and dupatta. The 150ct emerald centerpiece polki necklace is a stunning accessory. The statement polki earrings and polki bracelet embellished with rubies are perfect partners.
The ivory double ikat vegetable-dyed patola sari with micro mirror-work embroidered border and matching blouse is an offbeat and chic statement for a wedding function. Pair it with a polki necklace and earrings with chunky emeralds, polki pachelis and polki and ruby ring for a dose of extra glam.
The ivory floor-length dress with applique and a pearl embroidered extended bodice, has fusion feels. It has been styled with emerald and diamond chaandbalis, an emerald cocktail ring and a rose-cut and briolette diamonds cocktail ring.
Iqbal looks the part of a royal groom in his raspberry silk kurta, the coordinated shawl embroidered in fine Kashmiri threadwork, lending it simple elegance.
Pooja Goenka and Shalini Nopany at 85 Lansdowne.
Picture: Pabitra DasIt is not about the celebrations and spending any more, rather it is an age of smart weddings pivoting around the bride and the groom with customisation, thoughtfulness and bespoke experiences. With its fair share of challenges, next normal weddings are looking at technology, sustainability and convenience to a large extent. Online shopping is in. Personal shopping is in. Repurposing is in. Heirloom is in. Multipurpose sustainable attires are in. Hashtags are in. E-invites are in. Memories are in. Happiness is in. Stress is out
Shalini Nopany, director, 85 Lansdowne
Thanks to the pandemic, weddings have become more intimate and interesting
Pooja Goenka, wholetime director, 85 Lansdowne
Pictures: Rashbehari Das
Jewellery: Nemichand Bamalwa & Sons; Floral decor: Baisakhi’s;
Hair and make-up: Prasenjit Biswas
On the cover:On Iqbal: Ivory silk gara-embroidered sherwani with matching accessories,1,700cts of Zambian emeralds. On Diti: Raspberry red silk lehnga embroidered in fine thread and zardosi, statement classic polki set, and maangtika.
