They’ve come a long way from their original label, Magnetic Rag. Designer duo Gauri-Nainika’s elaborate dresses and gowns are a throwback to old Hollywood glamour, and their vivid silks are a big hit with our own Bollywood A-list, with Aishwarya Rai and Priyanka Chopra being recently spotted in their clothes. Critics may sneer at their styles as mostly Galliano rip-offs, but it is clear that Gauri-Nainika have created a market for ultra-feminine formal dresses that is here to stay. For the forthcoming India Fashion Week, they’ve made a departure from the romantic, prom-queen look to come up with a more striking collection in purple, acid green, black and white. “We’ve used a lot of silk and duchesse satin which has been folded, darted, pleated, bunched-up and even ballooned. The glamour is all there, but with a very structured look,” explains Nainika. While they never use embellishments like stones or embroidery, preferring to focus on the fabric, now velvet bands, lace and net will make an appearance on their range of gowns and tweed dresses. Look out for their show on March 12.
