It’s very important that all our artists understand and value the power of work by hand. The craft by hand should be there we feel there should be a human touch to it. SS: Craft is the most important element that we like to maintain, whether it’s hand-weaving, printing, or embroidery. GS: What sort of traditional elements do you like to maintain in your garments? They know what pieces they want, and they screenshot pictures of them and e-mail these to us. Now, because of social media-Instagram, Facebook-brides are very much in touch with what the hottest trends are back in India, what garments they should get, and what the latest collections are from designers. There are very few stores, and they’re usually selling commercial merchandise rather than stocking designers. She would have to travel to India and get something that was available there-and that would always be a last-minute thing because they wouldn’t be able to see it before-or she would have to buy something that’s available here but may be from a few years back in fashion. SS: I think, previously, the Indian or South Asian bride abroad didn’t have much of a choice. GS: How have you seen preferences for South Asian bridal wear shift in recent years? It’s a collaboration between our artists and us, and what we are thinking of, what they are coming up with. It’s heavy on investment as well, because it’s all handmade.įor our garments to come out this way, they need a number of skilled people and a very good creative director and fashion designer on board: we have all of that happening in one building. The intricate designs that we have are very difficult to do and very time-consuming. SS: The mixture of different embroidery techniques, materials, and motifs is something that sets apart. GS: What makes Shyamal & Bhumika’s designs different from others in the South Asian bridal market?
We have picked out pieces from our latest collections to cater to all of these functions, so that everyone can try those looks on and find something that suits their colour, size, and religious requirements. And then there’s the wedding ceremony and reception. Then there’s the sangeet, for example, which involves musical performances-that’s where the Hindi film industry comes into the picture. There are typically four to five functions, starting with the engagement and then something called the mehndi, where the bride’s friends and family put henna on. Shyamal Shodhan: We have a really nice mix of various styles for each part of a traditional Indian or South Asian wedding. Georgia Straight: Tell us about the pieces you’ve brought to House of Raina.
We caught up with Shyamal during a recent visit to House of Raina to chat South Asian bridal-wear trends, the art of handmade, and how social media has changed the game for brides-to-be. One of the boutique’s newest additions is Shyamal & Bhumika, an Ahmedabad-based bridal-wear and couture label founded by husband-and-wife team Shyamal and Bhumika Shodhan, who are often touted as the “Vera Wang of Indian fashion”. Opened in February, House of Raina is home to fashion houses such as Payal Singhal, Rohit Verma, and Tarun Tahiliani. Think of it as the Nordstrom or Holt Renfrew of Indian designer clothing-or as Johal says of the shop’s labels: “This is more like Gucci or Prada, as opposed to high-street brands.” So when Raman, Johal’s daughter, had trouble finding attire that suited her tastes leading up to her nuptials last year, the duo decided to open their own store that would help other Vancouverites access one-of-a-kind and well-crafted big-day attire that melds Western and South Asian influences. “There are a lot of Indian stores that sell Indian clothing, but they either design it themselves or they buy from a market in India where anybody and everybody can go and pick up clothing and sell it,” Rita Johal, co-owner of House of Raina (111–8028 128 Street, Surrey), tells the Straight during an interview at the boutique. From embellished saris to intricately embroidered lenghas in jewel tones of red, green, and gold, the options are endless.Īnd while Metro Vancouver boasts one of the largest South Asian populations in Canada, it wasn’t until recently that brides-to-be could access designer South Asian bridal-wear in the region. Western and traditional South Asian weddings have their differences-if you’ve been lucky enough to attend the latter, you know the vibrant, song-and-dance-filled, and multi-day affairs are hard to top-but they do have one thing in common: the bride’s search for the perfect dress.
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