New Delhi, March 11 -- Watching 81 models walk along a 500ft-long runway, wearing heavily embellished creations by Tarun Tahiliani last weekend at Mumbai's Bayview Lawns, it was hard to miss the background: the Arabian Sea. This was perhaps the first time the sea-facing wedding venue on the docks in Mazgaon was used for a fashion show.

And what an idea it was, more so because the evening waves and twinkling lights, besides adding a sheen to Tahiliani's beige capes, ivory white coats and silver gowns, reflected his philosophy of fluidity in clothes.

The choice of a venue can make or break a fashion show, and designers are putting more thought into its selection for their stand-alone shows. They are looking beyond the basic hall-with-ramp...