The bridal fashion in season 2 was truly 'made in heaven'

Without positioning the fascinating phenomenon of the Big Fat Indian Wedding as the focal point, Made in Heaven still manages an adept and accurate portrayal of the splendour and lavish celebrations that entail a union between the uber-rich. One of the most integral components of this near-perfect depiction of the insanely opulent and grand wedding ceremonies of the Indian elite is the extravagant display of designer bridal couture that is bound to come with a hefty price tag.

The trousseau that costume designer Bhawna Sharma lovingly collected for the fictional brides-to-be this season is just as beautiful, if not more, as the wardrobe from its first season. As some fashion critics and commentators speculate whether the fashion on display this season was meant to serve an elaborate and strategic brand placement campaign, others like us will set aside that debate and focus on appreciating some of the gorgeous garments worn by the brides as they walk down the aisle.

1. The traditionalist

Episode one shows bride Sarina Kapoor, played by actor Zayn Marie Khan, trying on a rose-pink signature Sabyasachi Mukherjee lehnga-choli, which ends up being ‘the dress’ she chooses. Despite concerns over the soft shade of pink possibly 'enhancing' the bride's dusky skin, Sarina’s ultimate decision to wear the dress becomes a symbol of self-acceptance.

The design itself is not a unique take, but it is one that perfectly captures the famous couturier’s defining aesthetic. The pink fabric of the lehnga and the choli are covered with a sprawling jaal (web) of vines and flowers, embroidered and filled with gold tilla thread. Since tilla work tends to be a bit muted in terms of shine, the outfit is given additional sparkle as abundant gold sequins are strategically stitched onto the embroidered design of the skirt.

A thick and colourful border of resham (silky and shiny thread) embroidered flowers and a glistening trimming of traditional kiran lace lines the edges of the organza dupatta that Sarina drapes across her chest and takes over her head.

2. Classic bridal with a twist

Mrunal Thakur’s Adhira Arya is the only bride who dons a glorious red bridal in the season. However, her jora is not a rendition of the classic, albeit archetypal, red-coloured-and-gold-embellished bridal outfit. Instead, it is an ensemble that consists of a scarlet red choli, two matching red dupattas, and an ivory lehenga.

The mix of gold and silver embellishments on the choli and lehnga are kept minimal to allow the fabric to shine through. The patterned cloth that serves as a canvas for the fancy threadwork and beading appears to be a banarsi or jamawar fabric, characterized by gold and/or silver threaded motifs interwoven with the fabric's regular threads. The two dupattas — one pinned at the head and let loose at the back and the other fixed and draped at the side — are adorned with silver and gold embroidery. The belted lehnga-choli and the layering of two dupattas add dimension to the otherwise oft-seen silhouette in Indian wedding couture.

Adhira pairs her outfit with statement gold jewellery and diamond polki jewels with accents of dangling emeralds of her two-tier necklace stack. The bride’s exquisite diamond polki and emerald baajuband (armlet) are also worth mentioning here as a statement accessory that elevates her look.

3. The innovative bride

The third episode witnesses Naina Sareen’s character Gargi Raina’s walk down the aisle as she gets intercepted by scandal and a cheating fiancé. While Gargi never gets to experience the ceremonial festivities of holy matrimony, she does get to enjoy a fun Mehendi Lagayi. With henna tattooed across her hands and decorating her arms all the way up to her elbows, Gargi is truly a sight to behold.

What further captures the audience’s attention is the fuchsia pink lehnga-choli that she wears at the event. The signature Aisha Rao ensemble is devoid of any embroidery or embellishments, save for the colourful and interesting motifs appliqued on the choli and the lehnga and a few silver three-dimensional embellishments. Even though the Mehendi Lagayi is a pre-wedding event, Gargi does not compromise on pomp and luxury, pairing her vibrant outfit with a diamond-encrusted choker and matching earrings.

4. Modern-day, Bollywood-diva bride

For a destination wedding in the stunning locales of Italy between two fictitious film stars, Leila Shirazi and Sarfaraz Khan, the obvious choice for a bridal dress designer is shown to be none other than Bollywood’s favourite couturier Manish Malhotra.

Malhotra’s love affair with sequin work is displayed in its full technicolour glory in the saree that Elnaaz Norouzi’s character Leila, wears on her wedding day. The deep-red, almost maroon-coloured fabric, of the saree is covered from head-to-toe in colourful sequins.

The traditional Indian saree silhouette is not only modernized with the generous use of sequin work but also through the incorporation of a belt to tame the sequined pallu and the long, cape-style slit sleeves that create a small trail alongside the fall of the saree.

5. Recreating culture

Perhaps the most beautiful wedding ceremony witnessed by viewers throughout the season is the inter-caste and inter-faith marriage between Pallavi and Vikram. Pallavi is the picture of traditional elegance when she walks through an open courtyard and a shallow pond to the ceremonial altar in a muted white and gold Kanjeevaram silk saree by Gaurang Shah.

The dull gold of the blouse perfectly matches the gold threads interlaced with the white fibres of the handwoven cloth to create beautiful, intricate, and glistening patterns. With hair pulled back in a sleek bun that is decorated with motia phool (jasmine flower) strands, Pallavi’s look is one of grace redefined through the incorporation of tradition.

Her jewellery, especially the layered necklaces and maala (long necklace) and the maatha larri (headpiece) appear to be heirloom jewels and are yet another piece of Pallavi’s heritage that she never wishes to part with. According to Vogue India, designer Sharma worked with over 200 ateliers and fashion designers to curate a glamorous bridal wardrobe and help create the visual masterpieces that are all the wedding scenes in Made in Heaven season 2.

6. Nothing beats tradition

Parvin Dabas and Kallirroi Tziafeta’s characters, Wasim and Elmira are a biracial couple who are soon to be wed. Wasim is already a husband to Dia Mirza’s character, Shehnaz and together, they have two sons. Elmira wears bespoke Rimple and Harpeet bridal joras to embody the essence of an Indian bride and, ultimately, embrace her husband’s culture.

Elmira’s ivory skin and blonde hair are in stark contrast to her traditional green velvet bridal outfit, which is covered with gold applique work and other embellishments infused with colourful resham embroidery.