Exclusive Interview: Natasha Dalal on Designing Her Own Bridal Outfits, Hosting an Intimate Celebrity Wedding and More!

''For the sangeet event, I wanted the lehenga to express something that the both of us—Varun and I—really loved; which is the sea and the beach! Hence, I chose to incorporate that theme in the embroidery for my lehenga.''

Actor Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal’s wedding has been the talk-of-the-town—especially since it was an intimate affair with solely 50 guests in attendance, away from media glare. 

And while fans were cognizant of specific wedding details—including the dates, the wedding venue and a portion of the star-studded guest list—what seemed to intrigue them more was which designer the bride had donned for her big day! 

Was it the celebrity favourite Sabyasachi or an eclectic, standout piece by master couturier Anamika Khanna? Well, it happens to be neither. It was a Natasha Dalal creation. 

In an exclusive interview with Brides Today, the newlywed opens up about curating her own bridal ensembles, the mood for bridal couture in 2021 and five essentials every Indian bride must own. 

Brides Today: What was the inspiration behind each of your stunning bridal looks? 

Natasha Dalal: Given my Parsi heritage, I've grown up seeing brides wear hues of gold, ivory and pink. So, I always knew that these were the colours I wanted to wear at my own wedding. For me, it's all about the minutest of details—each outfit followed a theme that was implemented with exquisite detailing in terms of the colour palette, fabrics and embroidery.

For my mehendi function, I wanted to adorn the necklace that my mother wore at her own wedding. It was a gorgeous gold jadau necklace that we revamped with light pink tourmaline stones dangling from the layers, and paired it with uncut diamond jhumkas and a maang tikka with tourmaline accents. Since I wanted the mehendi look to have a traditional feel, I designed a raw silk lehenga with multi-coloured floral motifs. In fact, we went far enough to match the venue décor, to set-off the ivory with cream and pink floral details.

For the sangeet event, I wanted the lehenga to express something that the both of us—Varun and I—really loved; which is the sea and the beach! Hence, I chose to incorporate that theme in the embroidery for my lehenga. The piece featured sea horses, turtles, shells and waves, in layers of organza. The embroidery was a mix of threadwork, kundan, sequins and beads in shades of gold, pink and white. I accessorized my look with a ruby necklace that belonged to my mother-in- law; it was a diamond setting, heroing the ruby at the centre.

For the wedding ceremony and dinner, I designed a light gold tulle lehenga which was inspired by one of my favourite design styles of the 20s Art Deco. The design details featured geometric and abstract florals. It had two dupattas—one floor length head dupatta with delicate floral details, and another draped dupatta with geometric triangular motifs. My favourite aspect of the outfit was the back of the blouse—a cut-out back mimicking butterfly wings, a shape that was again a nod to the deco era. To compliment the ensemble, I paired it with a diamond and emerald set. 

I had my chooda and kaleeras designed by Mrinalini Chandra, and we worked closely to come up with a design that went perfectly with the contemporary style of the lehenga. We picked ivory choodas with pearl and diamond bangles, while the kaleeras were silver dome -shaped, highlighted with crystals and diamantes, in the tassel. The wedding decor featured soothing hues of peach, ivory and green, with a canopy of dangling pampas and fairy lights.

Brides Today: Can you elaborate on the fabrics and embroideries used to create each of these looks?

Natasha Dalal: I wanted each bridal ensemble to have a different vibe, while staying true to my personal style. Each of the three looks were hand-embroidered, all being very close to my heart. 

The traditional mehendi look was made in ivory raw silk, with pastel-hued floral embroidery. The sangeet outfit, on the other hand, was in rose pink organza with rose gold and shades of pink. The embroidery showcased a mix of sequins, beads, threadwork and kundan work, with the detailing featuring some of my favourite underwater elements. Lastly, the wedding lehenga was prepared in layers of light gold tulle, with shades of gold and silver embroidery. It had alternate layers of floral and geometric embroidery in sequins, beads, and crystals to create a shimmery effect. It took nearly 6 months to complete! 

Brides Today: What are the 5 must-haves in every bride’s trousseau?

Natasha Dalal: According to me, the bridal essentials include a lace sari, gold hoop earrings, a fitted gown, a statement day bag and most importantly, a complete makeup kit!

Brides Today: How did it feel to marry the man of your dreams, away from media glare?

Natasha Dalal: Really amazing. It was everything we have ever dreamed of, and more so because it was intimate. We got the opportunity to bond with every single guest and for the families to get to know each other better. Plus, considering it was a small affair, we were relaxed and had so much fun!

Brides Today: Why did you choose to opt for a non-traditional, pastel-hued lehenga for your big day?

Natasha Dalal: I think I've always known that I would go the pastel route for my wedding. It was not about breaking away from tradition, but these are the colours that I feel comfortable in, and which represent me as a person. I really do believe that every bride should be able to express her own individuality on her special day, and feel happy and comfortable in whatever she chooses to wear.

Brides Today: What is the mood for bridal couture this year?

Natasha Dalal: A lot of brides are having only one event this year—owing to the government-imposed Covid-19 restrictions—and are looking for an outfit that goes from the ceremony to the reception party. This year we have done a lot of ombré lehengas which are dressy yet comfy—perfect to dance the night away! Besides, most of my clients are inquiring about the repeat value of their bridal lehenga as well. 

Since weddings have moved from the big-fat-event to more intimate gatherings, brides are also willing to experiment with colour and style for the occasion. They desire something that is heavy, while being comfortable too. Last but not the least, smaller weddings mean more personalization. 

Brides Today: How was the experience creating your own bridal ensembles? 

Natasha Dalal: It was truly a special experience to create my own outfits for the wedding. It was also insightful to experience first-hand the desires and emotions of a bride-to-be, and I‘m certain this will help me better gauge the requirements of brides who will entrust me with designing for their special day.

Brides Today: What is the brand identity and inspiration behind Natasha Dalal Label?

Natasha Dalal: Traditional Indian clothes, from every part of our nation, are so beautiful—from the chikankari of the North to the kanjivaram of the South. I try my best to draw elements from every part of India and add a contemporary spin to it. The main aim being creating something that transcends time and is an everlasting investment in one’s wardrobe. The colour palette is a mix of pastel and jewel tones, with intricate, subtle but statement embroideries which are a mix of multiple styles and materials tocreate classic ensembles that are fit for a multitude of occasions.

My inspiration comes from different experiences and stages in my life—from trips to the books I’ve read and the movies I’ve watched. I’m always inspired by nature, flora and fauna, impressionist paintings, the magical underwater world, cities like Florence, Jaipur, Goa and New York, and a lot more! Sometimes something as simple as a picturesque sunset, an Art Deco building or even an interesting photograph can spark inspiration.

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