PICS: Valaya opens Bridal Week with Kangna, Kabir Bedi

The Aamby Valley India Bridal Fashion Week 2013 kicked off its Delhi edition last night with a grand opening show by JJ Valaya. We bring you the best of runway.

India's biggest bridal fashion do was off to an opulent start in the capital yesterday, with JJ Valaya performing opening honours in what was as much a theatrical production as it was a fashion show.

With a stunning ethnic collection entitled 'The Maharaja of Madrid', the ace couturier drew on both Indian and Spanish inspirations for a six-segmented show that involved a professional movie-style set, nearly 50 models and 30 artistes and commenced with a dance performance.

The first line centred around Spanish lace and Indian jewels; the second around traditional shawls from both Spain and India, Manton de Manila and Jamawars; the third around the works of Mexican artist Diego Rivera (Mexico was once a Spanish colony and Rivera studied under Spanish master Eduardo Chicharro) and Indian miniatures; the fourth by armours of Spain and India; the fifth by matadors and Indian Thewa jewellery and digitally printed Matka silks; and the sixth by bridals.

The overall theme of all six collections centered around a fictitious monarch's voyage to Spanish shores, accompanied by his beautiful daughter, hence the title ''The Maharaja of Madrid'.

In the following pages we bring you a glimpse of the best garments off the ramp, as well as showstoppers Kangna Ranaut and Kabir Bedi...take a look!

The Aamby Valley India Bridal Fashion Week 2013 is set to last from July 23 to 28 in Delhi, followed by a schedule in Mumbai this coming October.

Seen here is model Deepti Gujral in a stunning empire-waisted gown that flows from a fitted, embroidered bodice to a sea of blue pleats.

Shruti Agarwal sails out in a stunning rose-embellished lehenga and contrast choli in teal.

A model strikes a pose in another gorgeous blue, red and gold floral-themed ensemble.

Ravishing red and hues of tangerine come into focus with this exquisite number.

Rich crimson hues and luxurious fabrics encapsulate one segment of Valaya's gargantuan six-part collection.

The palette shifts to ethereal ivory with this lovely ethnic gown

A knee-length Indian jacket adds a sophisticated touch to this pale gold-edged sari.

The designer offers up a ballgown-like silhouette in white and nude.

Its simple appeal enhanced by a keyhole choli and belt purse, another pale drape takes centerstage.

Churidaars and a kurta are complemented by a slightly oversized sleeveless jacket.

Nethra Raghuraman leads the pack in a gorgeous emerald and ivory creation with gold accents.

Sucheta Sharma stands tall in a one-shouldered dip-dye anarkali dress.

For the guys, we see a sherwani with its intricate embroidery sporting the same dip-dye theme.

Anjali Lavania walks the ramp in a see-through tulle skirt with panels of velour, embroidery and laser cutwork.

Models come together in a vision of red and black for one of the six segments from the collection.

Kangna Ranaut is the cynosure of all eyes as she steps out in a beautiful dip-dye printed lehenga and deep blue velour blouse, complete with jewelled turban.

In the role of Valaya's Madrid-obsessed Maharaja himself, veteran actor Kabir Bedi is as handsome as ever in his maroon and gold sherwani.

The veteran designer takes to the runway accompanied by his two muses.