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Indian designer dresses

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Hindustan Times
by Rochelle Pinto
May 21, 2010

First Deepika Padukone wore a Rohit Bal sari on Cannes red carpet. Now, Delhi-based designer Varun Bahl’s sari will be draped around singer Shania Twain, for the Swiss Red cross Ball in Geneva next weekend. Chosen to represent the fashion fraternity at this year’s India-themed ball, Bahl will also be presenting a couture show for the attendees, and dressing Twain, who’s the event’s honorary chairperson.

Draping the diva
“We communicated over email and I suggested she wear a sari, because that is the most beautiful garment that India has to offer,” Bahl says. “She was very open to the idea. I’m carrying a number of options but my favourite is an ivory sari, which I’m hoping she will pick.”

Bahl is excited to be dressing the international country singer and plans to gift her the sari if she loves it. “If she likes it, I would be glad to gift it to her,” he grins. “And I’d be open to designing for her in the future too. She’s the kind of woman who can adapt to anything, so she’ll have no problem wearing a sari.”

Promote the sari
While his love for the sari is evident, Bahl admits that it still needs to be promoted on an international scale. “The sari has recently come into focus thanks to Aishwarya Rai and Deepika, wearing saris at Cannes. It is a very difficult drape to wear, which is why it hasn’t been picked up globally. But this is an opportune moment to show Europeans that foreigners too can wear the sari.”

Bahl has selected a number of India-based foreign models to be a part of the show, along with Indian stalwarts like Sonalika Sahay, Candice Pinto and Pia and Binal Trivedi.

The collection
“The clothes will feature ancient Indian embroidery and jewel colours, but will have a European touch in the show’s Victorian styling. The music has been prepared by Gaurav Raina of Midival Punditz and will be choreographed by Alison Kanuga,” he reveals.

Bahl will also be holding a trunk show at the jewellery sponsor Bogh-Art’s store to retail his couture garments. “Depending on the response to the show, I will think about expanding my presence in Switzerland. Right now, I’m just happy to be one of the only Indian designers to have their own solo show outside of India.”

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