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IMAGES: Expat women dress in Indian bridal finery!

Last updated on: November 22, 2012 18:10 IST
Sophie Fontant from France as a bride from Orissa

Here's a look at some of the lovely ladies from across the globe who participated in the annual Beautiful India Expatriate Photo Competition in Chennai on November 18.

They were all dressed as brides from various states of India, but they weren't Indians.

At the annual Beautiful India Expatriate Photo Competition (India's biggest and only expatriate photo competition in Chennai, now in its fifteenth year), there was an amalgamation of cultures from around the world as expatriate women walking the ramp as Indian brides.

Organised by Global Adjustments, a service that offers relocation, realty and cross-cultural training to the expatriates in Chennai and the Hyatt Regency, the competition's 2012 'Indian Weddings' theme was well-received.

Twenty one nationalities -- among them British, American, French, Finnish, Italian, Korean and Thai citizens -- participated in the show, stating that they were paying personal tribute to the land they now call home.

Walking the ramp as Indian brides conveyed that they were symbolically married to India. One of the participants from Finland said, "I am in this programme because no other country we relocate to will offer us such a unique experience, of participating in a fashion show wearing traditional costumes."

The judging panel consisted of US Consul General Ms Jennifer Mclntyre, Director General of JETRO Shinya Fujii and National Award-winning cinemotographer, film director and producer Santosh Sivan.

Here's a look at bridal looks from across the country, showcased by ladies from another!

First up we have Sophie Fontant from France as a bride from Orissa.

Rajasthan

Last updated on: November 22, 2012 18:10 IST

Sylvia from Poland donned a traditional Rajasthani ensemble.

Coorg, Karnataka

Last updated on: November 22, 2012 18:10 IST

Karine, also hailing from France, was a bride from Coorg in Karnataka.

Traditional Muslim bridal

Last updated on: November 22, 2012 18:10 IST

From the USA, Leslie modelled an ethnic Muslim bridal.

Gujarat

Last updated on: November 22, 2012 18:10 IST

Frenchwoman Julie strutted her stuff in Gujarati finery.

Assam

Last updated on: November 22, 2012 18:10 IST

Nemu Takahashi-Madar of Japan set off this Assam outfit.

Kashmir

Last updated on: November 22, 2012 18:10 IST

From the UK, Charlotte wore what is part of the Kashmiri trousseau.

Tamil Nadu Brahmin bride

Last updated on: November 22, 2012 18:10 IST

German Franziska Lange arrived dressed as a Tamil Nadu Brahmin bride.

Andhra Pradesh

Last updated on: November 22, 2012 18:10 IST

Mari Kontio of Finland posed in Andhra Pradesh traditionals.

Bengal

Last updated on: November 22, 2012 18:10 IST

Olivia Gasser of France executed the look of a Bengal beauty perfectly.

Himachal

Last updated on: November 22, 2012 18:10 IST

Also from France, Dominique donned the opulent Himachal style.

Goa

Last updated on: November 22, 2012 18:10 IST

Jamaican-Canadian Janet was a traditional bride from Goa.

Kerala

Last updated on: November 22, 2012 18:10 IST

Edurne of Spain cut a cute figure in a Kerala sari.

Maharashtra

Last updated on: November 22, 2012 18:10 IST

German Monica Lange opted for the Maharashtra look.

Chennai

Last updated on: November 22, 2012 18:10 IST

Dutch damsel Babette Verbeek was dressed in a Chennai bridal.

Finale

Last updated on: November 22, 2012 18:10 IST
(L-R) Charlotte, Franziska, Olivia, Nemu, Julie, Dominique and Edurne at the Beautiful India Expatriate Photo Competition 2012

And finally, we have some of the ladies line up at the close of the showing.