You’ve got to see this designer’s floral bridal collection

Perfect for the summer bride
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It's a moody Wednesday afternoon, and the living room of veteran designer Pallavi Jaikishan's sea-facing apartment resembles spring in full bloom. An abundance of artfully arranged flowers (which Jaikishan painstakingly put together herself the previous night) have taken over taken over the space for the designer's latest campaign shoot.

The campaign in question is for Jaikishan's bridal 2016 collection, and marries opulence with elegance. And the designer, who is famously known to have her most zealous cheerleaders in her ménage, has turned to them—namely daughters-in-law Roohi Jaikishan and Priya Jaikishan and family member Farah Oomerbhoy—to play her muses. “I hadn't shot with my family in a long time. Moreover, all three of them are confident and carry my clothes beautifully,” she explains. Roohi believes that the shoot at their family home is a celebration of love, friendship and family, and also a testimony to the respect they have for each other. “It's about my mother-in-law's legacy and her honesty towards her craft.” Priya confesses that she wouldn't be preening in front of the camera for anyone else! “Their heirloom quality and the romance of the outfits draw me towards them,” she adds. Jaikishan's floral saris have an ardent fan in Oomerbhoy, who rarely wears another designer when it comes to Indian wear. “My association with the brand goes back a long way, and all my wedding clothes were designed by her.”

Created in unexpected soft colours, Jaikishan has taken special care to keep the entire collection extremely lightweight despite the ornamentation. The ethereal ivory pieces, such as a ruffled sharara set and dramatic trailing lehenga with a cowl cape, are bedecked in spangles and sequins. The pastel blue and silver lehengas and saris have been embellished with sequins, ribbon work, French tapes and cords, while the vivid printed ensembles take a detour and resemble “a crazy quilt,” according to Jaikishan. “We sourced antique Russian prints and transferred them on lurex georgette with embellishments like velvet collars and antique lace for it.” Giving the collection a whimsical twist is the absence of any jewellery, with floral hairpieces serving as the only accessories. “I believe the clothes should be able to make an impact by themselves without any crutches.”