Say Yes to the Dress India review: Wholesome enough for even the fashion averse to enjoy

The reality series, hosted by popular stylist Divyak D'souza, is a spinoff of the American show of the same name

Story:

Stylist to the stars Divyak D'souza takes it upon himself to help Indian brides pick out the wedding dresses of their dreams. But even for an industry professional, it’s easier said than done. He must not only cater to the needs of the blushing bride to be but also her family and friends, who all have a lot to say about his choices. The reality series is a spin-off of the American show of the same name.

Review:

Typically, makeover and fashion-centered reality shows do cater to a specific kind of audience, someone fashion-forward, knowledgeable about the latest fads and of course, in this case, brides-to-be. But even if you’re someone without a lick of fashion sense to save your life and frown when you hear the word ‘wedding’, re: me, Say Yes to the Dress seems to offer something beyond your run-of-the-mill fashion shows for viewers to enjoy.

Divyak D'souza, as stylist and fashion guru to potential brides, was a smart choice to carry the show, which he does gracefully and with charm. D'souza presents a very healthy version of what fashion experts should be like, making sure he gets his clients exactly what they want, as opposed to what he thinks they should wear. He and his team of well-qualified consultants walk the viewers through the whole process of how they go about getting a bride the ‘perfect wedding dress’, be it for the actual ceremony or any of the events that go with it.

First, they are introduced to the bride, who has a clear understanding of what she wants. Then a brief is prepared based on her requests and then D'souza and his team get to work on it. After getting a clear picture of the bride’s decision, they pick out a designer who they think can produce an outfit that’ll match the vision. The show has works of popular designers and fashion houses such as Zara, Raw Mango, Varun Bahl, Rahul Mishra, Anju Modi, among others. When a bride decides on a dress, they are at times introduced to the designers too.

The clients come from different backgrounds and parts of the country, ranging from Jammu and Kashmir to places in South India, and viewers get a peek at an assemblage of outfits spanning cultures as well.

When it comes to actually trying out the array of stunning dresses that D'souza and the designers have carefully curated, a bride's opinion alone does not matter. Along with her, comes her trail of loved ones, and viewers can see that they have as much to say about the designer display as she does. So suffice to say, D'souza has his work cut out for him, as even when a bride likes the outfit she picked, she is seen changing her mind the next instant, cajoled by her friends, family and at times, even disapproving fiances.

It is with the interactions with the bride and the family that the show takes on hues of being more than just a regular fashion show. The women on the show are not celebrities, they are regular people and throughout the course of their appearances on the show, viewers are even offered a peek into their insecurities and struggles. Although it might seem frivolous to some, a dress does seem to make a huge impact among the women, some of them even get emotional when they find ‘the one’.

But of course, where there's family, there’s bound to be drama too, and when there’s a difference of opinion on a dress, it leads to squabbles. And here too the proof that the show chose an impeccable host becomes clear, as D'souza elegantly handles the disputes and he ensures what gets picked in the end satisfies everyone involved, although his first loyalty, naturally, goes towards the bride. He is also seen shooting out witticisms over family comments, albeit not to their faces, and also fiercely fighting for the bride's wishes when their family feels differently, adding to the show’s overall appeal.

Verdict:

Say Yes to the Dress is in no way the best of the best in terms of fashion content, but it sure has its wholesome and, at times, heartwarming moments. And if nothing else, it does have a selection of gorgeous, eye-popping outfits, spanning different cultures, that will definitely hold your attention.

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