The stalls were professionally presented with a number of stalls making an extra special effort in décor and displaying their goods and services. The especially printed, full colour, free magazine, “Eastern Bride” this year had 192 pages and proved to be very popular.

The fashion show / extravaganza was performed 9 times over the week-end with every show drawing capacity audiences. The fashion shows were choreographed by Kshitij Vaishnav and Khushbu Jadav of the world renowned Shiamak Davar Insitute for Performing Arts (India). The distinguished presence of fashion designers, Vikram Phadnis and Payal Singhall, exhibiting their exquisite designs brought a touch of class to the show which featured 80 local performers.

The highlight of the show was the appearance of Meenal Jain and Vishal Kothari of Sony’s Indian Idol fame who performed in all 9 fashion shows and had members of the audience dancing with them.

A new successful addition of this year’s fair was a Young Designer section where talented local designers were given a display areas as well as a model ramp to showcase their creations at no charge. The large attendance of these fashion shows was indicative of their popularity.

Sunday Times also went the extra mile by setting up a special exquisite “Theatre of Food” at the fair where the popular Asha Maharaj and other chefs demonstrated cooking of exquisite dishes.

While the curtain is drawn on another successful Fair in the 12th year history, planning now begins for the 2012 Sunday Times Eastern Bridal Fair.

The 11th fair in 2010 was the biggest ever and was a resounding success with over 13,000 visitors. The fashion show and dance extravaganza was performed 10 times and boasted the attendance of internationally renowned fashion designer, Vikram Phadnis as well as the very reputed Indian fashion designer Bennu Sehgal displaying their couture. The show was choreographed by Tripti Master and Ankit Tanna from the world famous Shiamak Davar’s Dance Academy of India.

The Fair also hosted Zee Star, Dev of the famous TV series “Karole Bagh”. The highlight of the weekend was Bollywood’s youngest superstar Darsheel Safary. This 13 year old who has acted in the popular Bollywood movies, “Taare Zameen Paar” and “Bham Bham Bhole” wowed the audiences with his dialogue and dance steps.

It is NOW time for the 12th Fair and this year there will be 150 exhibitors, and a 400 seater exquisitely decorated restaurant serving exquisite cuisine. This is also the first time the Fair will showcase 6 young local designers boasting their talent. They will be able to display their creations in their own stalls and parade these wonderful garments on an especially created ramp.

Ladies will receive the 12th edition of our 200 page full colour glossy “Eastern Bride” magazine.

There will also be a Sunday Times demonstration area where visitors will be able to attend cooking, make-up, mehndi and hairdo talks and demonstrations.

DSTV Indian has arranged a kiddies area where children will be able to play and be occupied whilst parents enjoy the fair.

The highlight of the Bridal Fair is always the Fashion Show and Dance Extravaganza that will be performed 10 times over the week-end.

This year’s show will boast the participation of the following international personalities :-

Meenal Jain: Sony TV’s Indian Idol, famous singer, recording artist and stage performer.

Vishal Kothari: Also, Sony TV’s Indian Idol, famous singer, recording artist and stage performer.

Kshitij Vaishnav: Reputed choreographer and top dancer from Shiamak Davar’s Dance Academy of India. He has performed at Bollywood shows in India and abroad.

Khushbu Jadav: Reputed choreographer and top dancer from Shiamak Davar’s Dance Academy of India who will come to Durban directly from the 2011 IIFA Awards in Canada.

Vikram Phadnis: Internationally renowned fashion designer also will come in after participating at IIFA in Canada.

Payal Singhal: One of India’s most popular fashion designers who has numerous boutiques in India.

In addition to the international component we have the participation of over 100 local cast and crew in the show taking part in the dance, modeling, technical, make-up, hair, choreographing and co-ordination portfolios of these fashion shows. The international participants blend well in training, assisting and empowering the local members of the team to participate in a most professional manner.

Entrance fee is R60 and this includes entrance to the fair, attendance at the fashion show and free magazine.

Please diarise 15, 16, 17 July 2011 as the event is not one to be missed.

Watch the local press or website, closer to these dates for exact times of each show or demonstration over these 3 days.

Here’s a behind the scenes look at the stunning dancers from the Shiamak Davar Dance Academy as they prepared for the Sunday Times Eastern Bridal Fair.
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Mendhi (also Mehandi, Mehendi, etc.) is the application of Henna as a temporary form of skin decoration in South Asia, Southwest Asia, North Africa and the Horn of Africa, as well as by expatriate communities from these areas.
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