ABSTRACT
In her smart east London shop, Bubby Mahil drew as she listened to her customer, a young Gujarati Muslim woman. The designer captured in the sketch’s rough lines the shape of neckline and collar, length and style of top, skirt and dupatta, and noted down colours, fabrics and embroidery. Through the eloquent lines of the sketch emerged a new formula for fusion bridal wear-a bit of salwaar-kameez, a bit of lengha, a bit of sari, with influences of the traditional European white bridal outfit. Once the customer had gone, Bubby elaborated the sketch, faxed it to her production site in India and made several follow-up phone calls to check details. The outfit would be ready for the customer to collect from the shop within two weeks, price £250.
