Bridal Trends

There comes a day that is deemed as the single most important event of a person's life; a new beginning and a new chapter.

And how involved was the generation of the early 80s and earlier for this momentous occasion? Zilch, I would say. I remember sleepwalking through my nuptials, did everything I was told because in those days we didn't know that 'no' was a word that could be exercised.

In all the hustle and bustle, everyone forgot to dress the bride; no hair-do, no makeup, no nothing. The bridegroom arrives, cousins come up to accompany me down and I'm still in my track pants watching Wimbledon on TV. After a minor hullabaloo, I made a ponytail, put on some 'kajal', lip gloss and threw on my 'ghararah' and jewellery and rushed down in 15 minutes.  

I was vain in those days and didn't think I needed make up anyway. Let me not say anything about the photographs for obvious reasons.  Those were the days when we were so indifferent to our situation and surroundings.

Thank God things are a little different now. Most order their own clothes or are at least hugely involved in its procurement. I was exposed to a lot of brides early on, when I had just started La Belle, who were in tears because they hated their sari or the blouse was totally ill-fitting or the jewellery was obnoxious and sometimes I'd have to silently agree. When so much money is spent on clothes and jewellery, it only makes sense to involve the bride so she is happy with herself. Everyone of course has a budget to work within and given that there is enough time, the most suitable outfit or bauble can be purchased.

But the bride's involvement hasn't ended there. Make up trends are improving and moving into a new sphere. Gone are the overdone caked-up brides. They have been replaced by a generation of accomplished young ladies who know exactly what they are looking for, are aware of what suits them and what does not. A lot of thought is put into the styling of each look for each occasion with the makeup artist. This helps make everybody's job a lot easier.

All of this wonderful change with makeup is welcome; the girls are open to experimenting with new hair styles, new makeup techniques and seem to feel a lot more comfortable in their own skins. Jewellery is also coordinated to go with the clothes, instead of being worn all at once, irrelevant of whether it matches or not . Usually, different sets are worn on different occasions making so much more sense.

The change in makeup techniques and products available has also made our job as makeup artists so much fun. As the trend moves to the natural, La Belle put into gear the air brush technique that is sprayed on to the face giving it the lightest possible coverage with a glossy finish.

Liquid foundations, stick foundations, wet/dry compacts, pancakes adding as much cover as required.
The trend for clothes is still tilting towards the traditional, which I am secretly quite happy about. Hold on to our culture yet be brave to experiment with the look.

I am of the opinion that a wedding should be a tad formal and ideally traditional as far as clothes and colours go. The reception could be non-traditional, with colours, clothes, jewellery and make up. Slightly trendier, more modern possibly with a western touch.

At the end of the day, whatever one chooses to do as long as it's done with confidence and élan, it will look good. It's really not about 'what' you wear, but 'how' you wear it.

Wardrobe and jewellery: Sadia Moyeen's personal collection