Indian designers watch out! Pakistanis are now eying the Indian bridal wear market with their ethnic lehngas, sarees and embroidered suits.

The Pakistanis may not be as bold as our desi designers in creating the outfits but their bridal creations are very much in demand in India, says Nadia Lakdawala, a Pakistani designer.

“Our mehndi and bridal collection, trousseau, lehngas, shalwar kameez are all very traditionally made, with lot of hand embroidery, which Indian women like a lot,” says Lakdawala, who was here recently to participate in an exhibition.

“Cost is also a big factor in favor of our designs. Most of them start from Rs 4000 and go on to Rs 14000. But the range of Indian bridal wear is very high. No bridal lehnga is less than Rs 25,000,” she says.

Also, craftsmanship holds lot of importance in Pakistani designs… In bridal wear, embroidery, bold prints and bandhini are in demand there, she says.

Lakdawala says a renaissance is taking place in Pakistani fashion. “Our designers are also becoming fashion conscious and know what’s in vogue even outside. But ramp shows and unveiling of new collections is still not very popular there.”

“India is ahead of Pakistan when it comes to experimenting with fashion, art and culture and the designers here are creating bold outfits… Compared to those in our country, it is still traditional designs and dresses which are made by fashion fraternity,” says Lakdawala.

However, many designers go to international fashion weeks and unveil the collections there. Our designs, especially bridal are also a great hit with Indians living in US and England, she says.

Ranjana, who imports suits and sarees from Pakistan, feels even in daily wear, Pakistani designs are becoming popular here.

“Whether it is in cotton, chiffon or silk, the embroidered Pakistani suits are a big rage here,” feels Ranjana, who claims her lot are an instant sellout.

“Their USP is their embroidery… The intricate thread, gold and glass work which is done by village women. It is a household industry there. Then their colors and prints are also bold, which are very much in fashion here,” says Ranjana.