Talking to Pallavi Jaikishan about her designs is like turning the pages of a book of bridal
fashion, beginning with vintage styles and moving forward to more modern trends
and evolved colour palettes. With over four decades of experience in the world
of bridal wear design, Pallavi, 72, knows just what goes well on a bride.
One of the most desired designers for
Indian bridal wear, Pallavi has been a part of the world of fashion for 45
years now. Her journey into it was personal, but interestingly, not associated
with her own wedding day. “My marriage was decided in one day. I actually
eloped so I had half an hour to select my saree. That was it! Since I personally
didn’t have much of a choice, I’m seeing to it that every bride’s dream comes
true.
My first designs were done years ago as my husband was a music
director (the late Jaikishan Dayabhai Panchal of the legendary duo Shankar-
Jaikishan) and we had to attend film premieres, where everybody associated with
the industry would dress up in style. I used to design my own clothes and even
embroidered my own sarees by hand,” she informed.
Speaking about working exclusively with brides, Pallavi said,
“Almost every girl grows up with dreams of her wedding. Many of my clients come
to me with an idea of what they want, but still, as a designer, I first present
to them the look that would bring out the best in them. That is the duty of the
designer.”
In Goa for the Indian Beach Fashion Week (IBFW) that concluded
on Saturday, she showcased a collection titled Pristine. “I am known for
designing classics, but this time, I played with a lot of silhouettes, giving
it a very modern touch. I had cape dresses, pants and a top, with dupatta… All
ideal for destination weddings. The colours that stood out were pearl with
silver and ruby, representing the sand, and another set is blue, for the sea.
These designs were created with the IBFW in mind. I chose not to go with showstoppers
as the designs stand out on their own,” said Pallavi. Adding a bit about the
fabric she uses, she said, “My clothes don’t weigh a ton; all the material for
the embroidery comes from France and Italy. It is ‘Eurex zari’ so the brides
are very comfortable. A garment that would normally weigh 8-10 kg, weighs
around 2-3 kg. The bride has to wear it for over seven hours and look her best,
so it has to be comfortable.”
The designer, who regularly showcases her collections in the US,
is also working on a book. “It is a lifestyle book on what I believe in, how I
entertain my guests and photos of my collection. I have requested my old
clients to let me photograph the garments that I designed for them. I also love
cooking so the book will feature the recipes I love,” she revealed.
Summing
up her journey so far, she concluded, “It has been fun and it is my passion.
I’m blessed to have got the opportunities to do what I believe in.”
