As Indian wedding fashion continues to change, there are several fabrics created that will remain timeless; however, velvet lehengas are currently trending very strongly and are now being considered an ideal outfit for both bridal and festive occasions. The current movement towards modern-day brides and celebratory attire featuring velvet lehengas is indicative of the increasing importance placed on creating an elegant look through texture, opulence, and vintage appeal combined with modern trends of luxury and comfort.
Velvet provides an inherent sophistication in its composition. It has a unique velvety feel with a heavy, short nap due to its construction; therefore, it also produces an entirely different tactile experience than any other type of textile; additionally, the color depth that velvet produces in hues is unlike any other fabric. Because the darker shades, such as sapphire, emerald, deep wine and ruby, absorb very little light and reflect most of the light, they allow the wearer to experience a vividness in their overall appearance. The lightweight nature of this textile creates an elevated level of opulence and formalness in the velvet lehengas overall look.
The elegance of formal attire is reflected in the appearance of a rich matte finish with a soft and plush texture created by velvet material. The deep, rich color of velvet is significantly different from the shine and fluid motion of either silk or georgette. Velvet provides a sense of foundation and weight to the body, giving instant regality to the individual wearing it, which is very desirable for the bride or groom during the ceremony and grand reception.
Velvet as the best fabric for celebration during a particular seasonal celebration
Because most of the Indian wedding season will occur over the winter season, the ability to stay warm while wearing a wedding lehenga is also an important consideration. Velvet will provide superior thermal insulation than any other fabric due to the natural properties of the fibres used to create the fabric. The bride or guest will be comfortable during long weddings held outdoors or to attend evening weddings due to the thermal insulation properties of velvet.
The heavy and detailed designs that are traditionally created using Indian craftsmanship (Zardozi, Dabka, Kundun, etc.) must be designed on a fabric that is stable enough to hold the weight of the embroidery and retain its shape. The stability of the woven structure of velvet will allow for the elegant display of intricate designs and prevent the fabric from becoming distorted or losing its silhouette due to its own weight. Therefore, the lehenga created from velvet will be an example of the highest type of structured artistry.
The combination of Traditional and Modern
The velvet lehenga represents the connection between the Classic Style of Designs of the Past and the Contemporary Style of Designs of Today. Velvet was historically a fabric used by Royalty and Nobility in many different cultures where it was regarded as a very luxurious and regal fabric, and therefore, it has an inherent grandeur. In modern times we take the historical connotation of velvet and use that along with the modern examples of contemporary designed lehengas.
Modern lehengas are generally designed with a more simplistic choli (the fitted top part of the lehenga) and are usually made with a lighter, more airy dupatta (the veil of the lehenga). Concerning the lehenga itself, the choli and dupatta serve to visually balance out the heavier weight of the lehenga and create harmony rather than make it look bulky or dated. The texture of the material gives the lehenga its primary ornamentation, resulting in less use of metallic embellishments while achieving a very polished and refined final result that parallels the concept of “quiet luxury.”
The Impact of Digital Spaces on Fashion Trends
The digital space has helped boost visibility for the velvet lehenga. The texture of velvet, along with its bright hue, is very photogenic and looks amazing in high-resolution images and videos. Additionally, because velvet shows light and shadow in three-dimensional ways, it creates an ideal silhouette on the wearer, while contributing greatly to the overall aesthetic of the bridal portraits or videos. The trend of the velvet lehenga is not simply a fad; it is thoughtfully planned around its aesthetic superiority, wearability through the seasons, and its ability to blend old and new styles with beauty and grace. This has established it as the premier choice of fine Indian bridal attire and continues to be the favorite of women who appreciate fine artistry.
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