UK’s most expensive Asian wedding dress is made in Birmingham

It has a price tag of £100,000 and is the most expensive Asian wedding outfit ever produced in the UK.

Encrusted with diamonds, the sumptuous white wedding lengha weighs more than 30 kilos has been made by celebrity couturist Sati Takhar.

Sati, who is based in Soho Road, Birmingham, will reveal the outfit at The Asiana Bridal Show in London on Sunday.

The traditional Asian bridal outfit is so valuable it will be kept in a kept in a glass box and watched over by a security guard.

“We’ve created the ultimate fantasy – an outfit that is so exquisite, we’re placing it inside a glass box!” says Sati, 32, who has been a bridal designer for more than 10 years.

His inspiration came from watching the Victoria Secret lingerie show last year where Brazilian models Alessandra Ambrosio and Adriana Lima took to the catwalk at London’s Earl’s Court wearing $2 million Dream Angels Fantasy Bras.

The bras featured 16,000 rubies, diamonds and sapphires, all of which are strung together with 18 karat gold.

“I’ve seen and heard everything when it comes to weddings and the Victoria Secrets show got me thinking,” says Sati.

“I have clients who have flown in Kim Kardashian’s make-up artist in from New York to do their bridal make-up.

“The Asian wedding market is worth a lot.

“I was inspired to try something similar to the Victoria Secret show in bridalwear.”

The decadent white silk lengha (a traditional skirt and top) is being kept under wraps until Sunday but Sati can reveal that it features an embroidered strapless corset and full-flared skirt, finished with a veil around the head and shoulders.

It is a collaboration with elite Indian jewellery brand Dhir Diamond Jewellers, who have provided the jewels for the gown.

London-based jewellery designer Vansh Dhir says: “Diamonds aren’t just meant for wedding rings!

“In this creative collaboration we are showcasing innovative ideas for combining your jewellery with your outfit.

“It’s a masterpiece that sets the benchmark for what is possible in the world of weddingwear.”

Sati Takhar

Worth over £3billion a year, the British Asian wedding industry is the second most successful area of entrepreneurship among South Asians living in the UK after the restaurant and catering business.

New research by Asiana Wedding Magazine shows the average Asian couple in the UK spends upwards of £50,000 on a wedding with lowest figures being around £25,000 – well above the average price of a British wedding which is currently £21,000.

Some spend more than a million pounds on their nuptials.

These extravagant occasions can be celebrated for several days and attended by upwards of 1,000 guests.

All of Sati’s designs are bespoke and normally sell for around £3,000.

“I do get some unusual requests,” says Sati, who went to the London College of Fashion.

“Sometimes they are for sentimental reasons. One lady asked if we could create embroidery to match her mum’s jewellery as her mum had passed away.

“Others ask for beautifully coloured fabrics. Some have known how they want to look on their wedding day since the age of five whereas others know what they do and don’t like and I design something unique for them.

“My family are of Indian origin but I was brought up in England so my outfits are a fusion of the two.

“The embroidery is done in India but the rest of the work is done in England, which makes my boutique different to others. It’s a completely different way of working.

“Also the fit and the cut of my lenghas is very modern. It means the silhouette is modern but often the embroidery will be vintage Indian. I like to embrace the two.

“I chose white for this one because it’s a popular colour in western weddings.

“From a guest’s point of view, they care most about how the bride looks and the food on the day so it’s really important we make sure the bride feels confident on the day.

“Not all our outfits cost £100,000 but we say that when a brides puts on one of our outfits she feels £100,000.”

Sati goes through the entire process with each bride, from choosing fabrics and sketching designs in front of her to making a toile mock-up of the outfit in cotton for her try on ahead of the final fitting.

“I get to know the brides quite well throughout the process,” he adds.

“One brought her dad to the toile fitting the other day and he recorded it with a camcorder. It was sweet.”

For Sati, the logistics of displaying a £100,000 gown have been just as intense as coming up with the design.

“I’ve never done anything like this before,” he adds.

“It’s a large amount of money so we’ve had to make sure we’ve got all the relevant insurances and security for it on the day.”

Sati’s design will be seen by 10,000 visitors who expected to attend The Asiana Bridal Show at The Lancaster Hotel in London on Sunday.

• For more information, visit www.satitakhar.com and www.asianabridalshow.com

The cost of an average Asian wedding in the UK

Average guest numbers: 700

Venue: £10,000

Catering: £20,000

Photographer videographer: £7,000

Make-up: £800

Outfits: £3,000 (bride) £1,000 (groom)

*source Asiana Wedding Magazine

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This Valentine’s Getaway Packing Guide Pulls Out All the Stops!

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The best part about Valentine’s Day this year is the fact that it falls on a weekend. The perfect excuse to pack your bags and head to a romantic getaway on Friday night instead of going in for the usual dine-and-party routine. While you dedicate some time to choosing a romantic destination, we’ve made things easy for you. Print out this list of must-have packing essentials to make sure you are V-day ready (and we aren’t talking about sexy lingerie and hot dresses).

 

A good playlist: Nothing like music to set the mood for a romantic night! While you may not want to carry a separate iPod or MP3 player make sure you save a good playlist on your phone before you leave for the holiday, which includes songs you both like.

Floor length cardigan: A floor length cardigan in black, white or grey is the perfect accessory to dress up or dress down your outfit. It will keep you warm and cosy while adding a stylish element to your attire.

 

Bath salts: While it’s important to get your outfit just right, don’t forget to pack some romance too ;). Some bath salts and maybe a few candles can make for some great V-day activities.

 

Dangling earrings: Long, dangling earrings are the red lipstick equivalent of accessories. They immediately add a touch of class to your attire and they go with almost any kind of dress or skirt that you are wearing. So save yourself the hassle of picking the right accessory and just pack your pair of dangling earrings.

Massage oils: We don’t really need to state why you need this. Pack a bottle of massage oil and give your man a TLC session on V-day. Packing tip: If it’s a used bottle just put a piece of foil over the mouth of the bottle before screwing the cap on to avoid spills.

Bathing suits: If you are going to a beach destination or staying in a hotel with a pool, avoid packing two bathing suits but one reversible one instead. This way you’ll save some space too.

 

Reading material: If you both love reading, make sure you carry a book and spend some cosy time reading out passages from the book. If you want to liven things up pack some erotic literature and enact a few bits (time to dig out that copy of Fifty Shades of Grey).

 

Suitcase surprise: Here is a practical gift idea for your man. Think of something that he would enjoy using on the trip and hide it in the suitcase for him to find on V-day. While the tip is practical, use some creativity while thinking of gift ideas – no deodorant or socks please!

 

A top: Simple yet perfect! Pack a basic light coloured, wrinkle-free top to sport during the day. In case you are not sure about what you will be doing, a top becomes the perfect item of clothing simply because it is so versatile. Pair it with your shorts and show off your sun-kissed skin or simply tuck it in your straight fit jeans along with boots and those dangling earrings.

 

Others: The items you pack for your holiday also largely depend on the type of relationship you share. If you are the lazy kind who love to spend time lounging around, pack a pair of silk robes, scented candles and some DIY spa accessories. For an adventurous trip, a cosy blanket you can cuddle under while stargazing would be perfect. Pack a ‘truth or dare’ game or some ‘couple dice’ too to stir things up.

Image courtesy: Shutterstock

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• Valentine’s Day,
• travel for women,
• holiday

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