My fashionistas, those of you have following this blog closely, know that I had been to Croatia in August to attend my friend’s wedding. This was my very first experience attending an European wedding outside the UK. When asked what to wear on her wedding both my friend and my partner suggested I wear a saree. He took it further and said, he is coming with me to Croatia just to see me in Saree. Flattering! Many of you on Facebook also have voted for Saree over a long gown/dress. Unlike UK and USA, Croatia is not a country where you see immigrants overflowing from Indian sub-continent. My friend and her family assured me that they have not seen anyone wearing a saree in a Croatian wedding before. So, there I went to my friend’s traditional Croatian wedding in Zagreb in this beautiful Indian-princess-like deep purple and light lilac velvet and tulle embroidered saree paired with designer embroidered long sleeves saree blouse from Indian designer Ajay Agarwal.
Letting the saree do all the talking, I kept the accessories and make up minimalistic. A purple swarovski chain tassel earrings were worn to match the velvet Pallu and the gold tassels complemented the border so well. This double-duty ear ring have already graced my Indian outfits (last seen here) and yet to ornament my evening gowns and dresses in future.
Although bought in two separate years, this Lovetobag clutch matched the heavily embroidered blouse. I have been in love with Lovetobag since I first spotted this black iris clutch featuring a black pure silk base square box clutch hand embroidered with zardosi. While the diamante clasp will keep your vanity safe and secure in it, the long chain handle will give you options to style it different ways- hanging down the shoulder, cross-body or simply placing it on your palm with poise. It won’t be overrated if I make a statement that currently, Lovetobag makes the best party clutch to pair with your traditional Indian outfits.
I had been eyeing on a Champagne gold stilletos for ages. After searching and browsing throuh all possible high-street stores and online, I spotted this Champagne colored highlife lurex strappy sandals by Dune. This is also the only piece of accessory from high-street of this entire look which is otherwise a designer-affair. This is surely versatile to style- I will wear it with cocktail dresses, glittered or beaded skirts in the evening-do, cropped cocktail trousers, with my Indian partywears; Anarkalis and sarees and the list is long. I was warned by my friend to wear comfortable shoes on the wedding day as the ceremony was a long day-to-night celebration. And then there is ‘Dancing with the bride’ which is an old Croatian wedding tradition. It gives the opportunity for all guests to dance with the bride for a short while, usually not more than ten seconds per person. All of the guests are invited to participate, both ladies and gentlemen. So, I had to put my dancing shoes on! Dancing shoes? Stilletos? To your surprise, this pair is actually 10cm high but it is super comfy and I spent 15 hours in it dancing, standing, walking up and down from the reception venue to the church and back. The open toe and slim heel make this pair a perfect style for wedding and other glamorous occasion.
Known to do my own hair and make-up always, suddenly I wanted a change, more because it was my bestie’s wedding; I wanted to feel special and even more because I was on a holiday there, in a mood to be pampered which is justified when you had walked miles in the old town of Dubrovnik for the past three days, driven for 18 hours at a stretch from Dubrovnik through Split, Trogir, Zadar and then, to reach Zagreb for the wedding just the night before. My friend- the bride had booked me in at the same salon where she was getting ready for her D-day. Sweet! Honestly, I was unsure in the beginning. I did my research on all possible hair and beauty salons in Zagreb before I finally gave it a go. As soon as I had arrived at the Renata Kérastase frizerski saloni, I was warmly welcome by the owner. She could just manage to say few words and phrases in English. She kept repeating how beautiful my outfit and accessories are and that I’m someone special. Kind Croates! The hair and make-up artists there were friendly and pretty. Great for a first impression that their hair and make-up looked impressive too but what was most important for me that they speak good English. Relieved! I could explain properly what exactly I wanted, how my look should be noting the outfit and accessories- I envisaged a glow on my face with nude make-up that will enable my skin to look flawless and evenenable. Blessed with big eyes, all I wanted is to keep them expressive by simply doing a light-smokey-eye. As this saree is a combination of both pastel and dark shades, the entire look was accentuated by adding a lil’ color on the lips and nails. Matching your lipstick to your nails has long since been considered gauche and out-of-date–sort of like that old cliche style “rule” about matching your handbag to your shoes. But as old-fashioned as it sounds, match-oh-much nails and lips are actually something I love and worn many times. Keeping the coordinated theme of the same color family, I chose to go with Coral. It also matched the blush used on my face. Although I’m more satisfied with the hair-do than my make-up in spite of me guiding them through this entire 3 hours I had spent at the salon.
Styling my hair on this black full sleeves blouse with embroidery over the neck was easier than any other things. It gives you an obvious but safe choice to opt for an up-do, after all you would like to save yourself from getting the strands of your hair stuck to the embroidery on the blouse again and again. Softly curled with side-parted and then, pinning them high in a messy bun was the most soft and romantic hair-style to complete this look- it is nearly perfect for an evening out or a big event like wedding.
Voilà! A very Indian look well put together with the help of people and accessories from accross the world, donned in a dreamy European city- Zagreb, conceptualised & styled by none other than moi- Tanusree of One Time Fashionista.
A full-fledged post on croatian weddings is on the way with beautiful pictures from this fairytale wedding of my friend.
Stay tuned, stay stunned!
Wardrobe:
Saree by Amit Agarwal from Raa Studio
Lovetobag Black Iris Clutch from Pernia’s Pop-up Shop
Prerto Swarovski Chain Tassel Earring from Pernia’s Pop-up Shop
Dune Champagne colored Highlife Lurex Strappy Sandals from House of Fraser
Hair & Make-up by Renata Kérastase frizerski saloni
