Indian Clothes in Dallas – Custom Designed Dresses and Menswear

Author: Admin

Five must-have requirements for great wedding pictures
Let’s see…it’s your special day and you and your family have been preparing for months. You have picked a beautiful location, have it setup with gorgeous decor, are decked up in your finest outfit (preferably from Silk Threads!) – but who will be capturing these special moments to last you forever?

Yes – the wedding photographer…

Selecting the right photographer can make all the difference – so based on our years of interacting with a range of wedding photographers, here are the 5 things you must consider:
1. Hire a professional – it goes without saying that you should check out the portfolios of at least a couple of professional photographers to see which one suits your style. Price is a factor, but should not be the first one.
2. Can you do two? – How big will be the team covering your events? Can they have multiple people stationed at different parts of the location? If you can afford it, you can see if you can two different companies can shoot the events for you to give better viewpoints?
3. If you like the photographer, book as soon as you can. Enough said.
4. Make sure you brief the team on what they should be looking for. Yes, the creative juices need to flow from everyone involved – but it is your wedding! If you have certain ideas, work with the team to see what the best way they can implement them.
5. Assign someone to work with the guests – if the guest need to be photographed, assign one of your friends or relatives who knows them to make sure they are ready and giving their best shot – and make sure to brief the photographer…
Check out the picture above of #RealBride Sunny Patel – what an excellent shot by Z Molu Photography…(and shows off her beautiful outfit designed by Silk Threads too…)

Good luck…
February 26, 2016
How Bollywood influences South Asian American Weddings

“Karan Johar has probably had more impact on our weddings than anyone else in recent history” – states a recent article in The Hindu.

For those of you who haven’t heard of Karan Johar, he is a prolific Bollywood producer/director/writer and talk show host, who films show over the top wedding glamour – which in turn has shaped the nuptial ideas of a whole generation of South Asian Americans.

A great quote in the article from a wedding planner: “In fact, I once organised a Tamil Brahmin wedding where the bride was so influenced by Bollywood movies that she wanted a Punjabi jago as part of the event. This is where the aunt dances with a pot of lamps on her head. We had to bring in dholaks and train the aunt to dance…”

We asked Ruby Bhandari, Chief Designer at the Dallas-based fashion company Silk Threads, about what she sees trending with new brides and grooms.

“South Asian wedding culture is ever evolving”, Ruby says. “We see new brides on a weekly basis, and most of them are second generation South Asian Americans – they may have had infrequent trips to India when they were younger, but now they rely on popular Bollywood movies to guide them from a fashion perspective. In addition, these movies are also heavy on so-called wedding customs (or Rivaaz) – which creates a co-mingling of the culture and traditions behind the wedding – leading to some interesting outcomes. We also get a lot of inter-racial weddings, where we factor in choices of both sides for their wedding trousseaus and menswear”

In fact, Bollywood has created a whole ecosystem around South Asian American weddings – a visit to any of the South Asian American themed Bridal Shows will show a host of vendors showing beautiful wedding decor – from traditional to minimalistic modern – as well as standard, but fusion, trappings of any wedding – from wedding cards to favors to food.

As the article concludes, “Irrespective of the kind of marriage — interracial or within communities — one thing is clear. while the path to marriage in the Indian-American context can be distinctly different from a true Indian matrimonial experience, at the end of the day the quest for a “happily ever after” remains the same…”

Now all we need is ShahRukh Khan…

February 22, 2016
Modern garden meets South Asia – Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi Wedding – #RealBride Tareen

Bride: Tareen Alam
Groom: Tariq Thowfeek
Wedding Date: November 27, 2015
Location:Dallas/Plano Marriott at Legacay Town Center
Photographer: Nida Rehman

They say that marriages are made in heaven – so we asked one of our recent brides Tareen to share her thoughts on what made her Bangladeshi-Sri Lankan wedding perfect. (and her thoughts about the gorgeous cream reception outfit we designed for her)

ST: Your pictures look lovely, Tareen. What was your vision for your wedding?

Tareen: If it were up to me, there would only be one big event. Finding a balance between what family wants versus what the new couple envisions is the toughest balance for Desi Weddings. For our reception, we wanted an ideal harmony of modern garden meets traditional South East Asia (since our families are Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan).

ST: What was the most magical or memorable part of your day?

Tareen: Making sure everyone had a great time was our main priority. The most incredible part of the wedding was when we got to step off the stage and onto the dance floor. Surprisingly, I was able to do the first dance medley and dance with friends the entire night in this dress.

ST: Why did you choose your reception dress from Silk Threads?

Tareen: I wanted something warm, flowy, and elegant – something that signified both my American and Desi heritage. But more than choosing a dress, I was focused on choosing someone I connected with and could trust. Ruby was that person. I don’t think it makes sense to choose vendors based on solely their work but rather their passion for their work. You may want the best decorator or caterer but if they don’t show up on time, none of it even matters. Decor, food, photography, outfits, and music have one thing in common: creativity. People need to love what they do so that your pictures, the stage or the songs all turn out incredible because they themselves were allowed to have fun with it. I think Ruby and her team has fun with every piece she designs and creates.

Thank you Tareen and Tariq – and congratulations once again!

February 10, 2016
Five Things you need to know when shopping for a wedding dress or bridal lehenga

Yes, this post is inspired by TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” show (and suggestions based on that in the Brides magazine) – but these are some practical tips based on our interaction with brides every week.

In addition, see additional interviews with brides on this blog to see how they approached wedding dress shopping.

First – wedding-dress shopping is an art – and you need to perfect it to keep your sanity. From who to take with you to what gowns you shouldn’t try on, here are 5 things you’ll learn from watching every girl’s favorite bridal show, overlaid with our practical observations.

1. Don’t bring EVERYONE with you for dress shopping. We have had cases where both the bride and groom bring their extended family members for suggestions and approvals. It. Does. NOT. Work.

As most of you know, you can seldom get everyone to agree, leading to frustration and angst for you. We suggest getting a parent and maybe a close friend who knows your taste and the theme of the wedding. A secondary person who an give limited feedback is your wedding planner – for example, if it is a destination wedding in Cancun, what would be the temperature, color scheme, etc. – which can be factored into the dress (and groom’s clothes) design.

2. Have at least a rough idea of what you want – you have been thinking of your special day, and oh by the way, you loved Priyanka Chopra’s outfit in Bajirao Mastani – if that is what you want, talk to your groom or best friend, and come with a rough idea – we will help you transform that dream into reality – but we have to start somewhere…

3. Know your budget. Yes, bridal-wear is expensive – and for good reason…(Kim Kardashian’s gown cost almost half a million dollars, FYI!)

We have made dresses which took over 4 months to make, with the embroidery being done with a team of over 15 people – which translated into a beautiful, but expensive dress. You can decide what you want to spend on the dress – and for data points, come to your bridal appointment and get a rough idea of what dresses cost by looking at some of our unique dresses in stock. Being open about what you want to spend saves time and heartache for everyone…

4. Don’t forget the accessories. A very important fact, which a lot of brides forget, is accessories – and how they impact the design of the dress. If you already know you will be wearing heavy jewelry, reduce the embroidery on the dress. Or once you have selected the dress, match it with the right kind and amount of accessories. Click here for some tips from Brides magazine.

5. Don’t forget the man. Even though choosing the clothes for the groom is easier, don’t forget he has to match you for every one of your occasions – so depending on your theme, try matching color palettes, as well as matching embroideries on his clothes and shoes…

We are here to help – and have the experience and resources, including a team for bridal hair and makeup. Contact us to setup your Bridal Consultation today…

February 8, 2016
What are the latest Indian Bridal trends?

A Talk with Ruby Bhandari, Chief Designer of Silk Threads on the latest Indian Bridal Trends

Changing fashion and trends act like a mirror for the changing cultural norms and mind sets. Today’s brides are have specific designs in mind and do not shy away from asserting their preferences. The new age bride can be a career woman, fashionista, social butterfly or reserved book lover – who needs a bridal wear or outfit that will suit her individuality and enhance her personality.

Let us discuss with Ruby Bhandari, Chief Designer at Silk Threads, about some of the designer Indian bridal wear that will suit every modern woman and respect her unique tastes throughout wedding journey.

How does a New Age Bride dress-up for Pre-Wedding Ceremonies?

Ruby Bhandari Says…..

Subtle and Chic Outfit for Haldi/Mehendi Ceremony:

The Haldi ceremony kicks off the Indian wedding events. In this casual wedding event, a bride can wear relaxed light Indian attire in shades of yellow or orange. Comfortable and lightly embellished subtle Indian fashion suits and lehngas will be perfect for Haldi ceremony.

Mehendi is another pre-wedding event, which is a casual fun affair. For this event, a bride can wear an outfit that will suitably get along with the Mehendi theme – but not too heavy and elaborate. Brides should choose relaxed outfits and avoid longer sleeves, practical for applying mehendi (henna), as well as the dancing which is sure to follow…

What should be the look of a Bride for a lively Sangeet Ceremony?

Ruby Bhandari Says…..

Look Vibrant on Sangeet Ceremony:

The modern Sangeet ceremony has families of both sides performing choreographed dances to the tunes of Bollywood songs. This requires the bride to look vibrant and radiant just like a Bollywood beauty. For this ceremony, brides can dress-up with traditional lehengas, designer anarkalis, salwar kameez or Indian Saree. Pleasing colors, interesting cuts, right amount of shimmer and some attractive offbeat touches to the Indian bridal outfits will enhance the look and will make the bride to stand out in the sangeet ceremony.

What should be the Attire of a Bride for a Modern day Pre-Wedding Cocktail Party?

Ruby Bhandari Says…..

Indo-Western Look for Cocktail Party:

For cocktail parties before the wedding, some brides have a dress code or a themed event. Incorporating cocktail parties into Indian wedding gives an alternative to the brides for ditching the traditional outfits to adorn a gorgeous look in Indo-Western gowns or cocktail dresses. Remember, minimalism is the key but your subtle jewelry and accessories can make you stand out.

How can a Bride look gorgeous on her Wedding Day?

Ruby Bhandari Says…..

Adorn a Dazzling Look on the Wedding Day, and match it!

Brides can shine, dazzle and make a statement on the wedding day by creating their favorite Indian bridal wear, and matching it with the groom, as well as the rest of the families. We at Silk Threads can help you create the custom look you desire – be it traditional, contemporary or a hybrid.

Silk Threads creates beautiful flair, drapes and gorgeous hemlines that will suit every requirement of a modern Indian bride looking for a dream outfit. Give us a call today at 972-432-9599.

Silk Threads Understands the New Generation of Fashion and Strives to Deliver the Best!

January 25, 2016
Whose Sari Now?

Sometimes, a catchy headline draws you into an article, and you realize that you may have missed some interesting movements, which while are not publicized widely, could create an impact in the society.

One such article caught my attention while browsing – which brought to light the movement by some Indian women to bring back the Sari (or Saree) into an everyday wear garment for the Indian women worldwide – started interestingly enough in California!

“She’s part of a movement of Indian women who are bringing back the everyday wear of the sari through the 100 Sari Pact, which claimed Dec. 21 as World Sari Day.

The pact required Appanna and others to wear 100 different saris throughout 2015. She did that, celebrating the wearing of her 100th sari at a Dec. 20 “sari party” at Amber Cellar & Lounge in Los Altos. She draped invitees with saris she made.

“I love the sari,” she said. “I feel anyone can wear it – size, age, race, social standing – no bar.”

The sari (also spelled “saree”) is a South Asian garment that dates back thousands of years. A drape of cloth ranging from 5 to 9 yards long, the sari is usually wrapped around the waist with one end draped over one of the shoulders. They come in a range of fabrics, colors and designs…”

Fascinating! Good luck to Archana and team – and remember, Silk Threads not only can provide you beautiful saris in a variety of designs fore all events – from parties to weddings, but can also provide you video training on how to tie a sari.

January 17, 2016
Miss Nepal, Nisha Kalamdani, Walks the Runway for Silk Threads

We are very happy for Nisha Kalamdani, a resident of New Jersey, who was crowned Miss Nepal US Ambassador 2015. She is the first Indian American ever to win the crown, as well as the first American of Indian descent to get this high honor.

Last year, Nisha was selected as the TOP 5 finalists at the Miss India USA 2014 pageant, where she also won the Miss Beautiful Hair award. Later, she also won the Miss Photogenic at the IMIFF 2015. In addition, she has walked the runway at the exclusive Glorious Gujarat 2015 fashion show in New Jersey as a Showstopper for Silk Threads by designer Ruby Bhandari.

Silk Threads was established 24 years ago and specializes in custom creations, casual tunics, bridal trousseaus and men’s formal wear. The brand has been described as opulent, luxurious and striking and attention to detail of designs and quality hand-stitching are the cornerstone of our focus and success.

The 5th Miss Nepal US was organized by Event Planet Inc. in association with Consulate General of Nepal in New York & Nepalese American Foundation. The theme of the star-studded affair was “Rebuilding Nepal” and the focus was primarily to provide charity for disaster relief in the hopes of recovering and rebuilding after the earthquake in Nepal. Nisha will be representing the USA as she meets with the Government officials in Nepal, including the President and the Prime Minister of the country to formulate a plan to work on her project related to support Rebuilding Nepal campaign.

December 3, 2015
I LOVE My Dress! – #RealBride SHELINA

OUR LOVE STORY IN THE LOVE GARDEN

Bride’s name: Shelina Virani

Groom’s name: Keith Rodenhuis

Wedding date: August 31, 2014

Location: The Prado @ Balboa Park in San Diego, California

Photographer: Robin Swanson Photography.
(www.rswansonphotography.com)

ST: What was your vision for your wedding?

Shelina: The vision for our wedding was “Our love story in the love garden”.

The most memorable part of my day was When the Reverend announced us “man and wife!” Celebrating life’s major milestone with our loved ones. Their presence in our lives is a blessing and we cherish our special day full of memories with them!

ST: What was the most magical or memorable part of your day?

Shelina: I envisioned a simple, yet elegant dress that didn’t come off the racks. I chose Silk Threads because Ruby has been a dear family friend for decades and it only made sense to go to the best in the industry! The Silk Threads team worked tirelessly to accommodate my vision and exceeded my expectations. I LOVE my dress and how special it made me feel on our special day.

“You were a beautiful bride, Shelina! We loved working with you in creating your stunning Indian wedding dress! the perfect outfit for your wedding day!” – Silk Threads Team

November 16, 2015
Fusion Themed Wedding: #RealBride NIMRA

Nimra Chowdhry and Scott Meadows
Married August 14, 2015 at the Dallas Palms, Dallas TX

Photographer: Greg Blomberg

Fusion weddings are gaining popularity as multicultural couples are exchanging vows. Nimra, who is Pakistani and Scott is American chose to express both their cultures on their wedding day.

Nimra worked with designer Ruby Bhandari and her team to create the perfect reception dress out of gold tulle with emerald and gold embroidery. It was the ideal wedding attire selected also to compliment the lush landscape of the Dallas Palms.

ST: What was your vision for your wedding?

Nimra: Our wedding theme was Fusion—a combination of vintage, and contemporary with both Pakistani and American cultural styles. The most magical part of the day was whirling around during our first dance!

ST: Why did you choose Silk Threads to create the outfit for your special day?

Nimra: I choose Silk Threads because I wanted a reception dress that was expressly desi-inspired but with a western touch. I did not want to wear a traditional Pakistani dress nor did I want to wear a traditional American/Western style dress. Silk Threads designed a dress that was complex in both style and patterns, and it incorporated all of my dress ideas.

The wedding day is one of the most treasured and unforgettable days in a brides life. Whether she chooses a traditional ethnic saree, designer Indian bridal lehnga or fusion gown, it has to be unique and made to compliment her. Silk Threads offers a variety of custom styles and designs to choose from. – The Silk Threads Team

October 14, 2015
I FELT LIKE A PRINCESS! – #RealBride Neetha

Bride’s name: Neetha Devdas

Groom’s name: Sanjay Sharma

Wedding date: June 27, 2015

Location: Sheraton Dallas Hotel

Photographer: Lomesh Patel Photography

Here are some thoughts and tips from our #RealBride Neetha:

ST: What was your vision for your wedding?

Neetha:
When we first started out we really didn’t know what exactly we wanted. But, after talking with our families, our decor designer and wedding planners, and of course, just thinking about who we are, we went with a traditional Hindu wedding with a modern fairytale garden theme. Between the breathtaking mandap with the hanging vines and gorgeous flowers, the shimmering tables and candles, and the stunning gown I was wearing…I felt like I had stepped into a fairytale. I felt like a princess and I will never forget that feeling.

ST: What was the most magical or memorable part of your day?

Neetha: I think the most memorable part of the day was seeing everyone out dancing and enjoying themselves. I can’t describe how wonderful a feeling it was to look out and see all the people from different parts of my life coming together. There were so many family members who love me unconditionally, friends from childhood and on, and so many new faces all in one place at one time dancing and laughing, and celebrating with us. It is a moment I will never forget. And, I think it’s what makes weddings so wonderful.

ST: Why did you choose your wedding dress from Silk Threads?

Neetha: There are so many reasons why I chose Silk Threads for my wedding attire. First, Ruby Bhandari is amazing to work with and she has a great eye for fashion. She is honest and cares deeply about what she sends you out into the world wearing. I felt like she was excited about making me feel beautiful and comfortable in my clothes for one of the most important days of my life and she was invested in making sure things were perfect.

Secondly, there was a lot of attention to detail not only in the making of the dresses, but even the jewelry and how to pull off the draping of each dupatta. All of this helped me to really put it all together and envision how things would turn out.

Lastly, the main reason I trusted Silk Threads was seeing my sister Geetha’s beautiful reception outfit a few years back and knowing others who have been very happy with their wedding attire. It was easy to trust that my outfits would turn out great having seen it happen before!

September 23, 2015
Taste of Cultures – Fashion, Food & Fun!

The Taste of Cultures fundraising event was a spectacular evening of food, fun and fashion!

Hosted by the Multi-Ethnic Education and Economic Development Center (an affiliate of the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce).

Guests sipped cocktails and sampled nibbles from various ethnic cultures. The silent auction featured a fantastic array of items and services including; Gift certificates for hotels restaurants and spa services as well as home decor items, original art, jewelry chef services. And the fashion show, featuring Silk Threads and Jonathan Truong, ended the event with beautiful, bold and exciting collections from both designers.

Husband and wife duo. Raj and Ruby Bhandari of Silk Threads.

(Left) Tie-dye georgette zip front dress with asymmetrical hemline and 3/4 length sleeves;
(Center) Lace sheath with gold leaf embroidery, high neckline and attached draped shawl;
(Right) Red kaftan dress, softly draped with gold neckline embroidery.
*All styles by silkthreads.com

(Left) Elegant ballgown in a vibrant shade of orange with black lace applique and inserts;
(Center) Red knit gown with gold lace and embroidery accents;
(Right) Show finale, ivory bridal gown with rhinestone and pearl hand embroidery.
*All styles by silkthreads.com

MEED Center provides services to over 300 individuals representing various minority groups of Dallas including refugees and new immigrants.

September 4, 2015
Behind the scenes of Ruby Bhandari’s Elegant Boho photo shoot

It was a perfect day for a photoshoot, with gorgeous models, the amazing photographer Doli of D. Oli Photography and Clint Griffin of UNI Magazine. They all came together for a day of fun and creativity!

Ruby B Collections is making its mark in the fashion industry with as the go to company for women seeking bold prints and vibrant color palettes merged with easy to wear silhouettes including tunics, kaftans and handkerchief dresses.

See more Kaftans here

July 8, 2015