Twin brothers who run a bespoke boutique in Bradford have dressed the stars of Bollywood Carmen, to be performed in City Park this weekend. Akeel and Jameel Amini own Ranis Bradford on White Abbey Road and were approached by producers of the Bollywood opera to dress A-list Indian film star Abhay Deol for the opening sequence of the show. A Bollywood twist on Bizet’s opera Carmen, the show stars actress and writer Meera Syal, EastEnders actress Preeya Kalidas, Waterloo Road actress and former Strictly Come Dancing finalist Chelsee Healey and former Coronation Street actress Rachel Lescovak, who is from Bradford. The hour-long show, featuring dance sequences to a Bollywood score and Bhangra mash-ups, will be broadcast live on BBC3 tomorrow from 9pm. “We were shortlisted by production and wardrobe and were delighted to be given the final go-ahead,” said store manager Akeel. “The production team came to the shop with Abhay. Jameel, who is the creative director, showed them some garments and initially they just wanted one suit for the opening scene, but they ended up taking two. We have also dressed other cast members; bridalwear for a dream sequence and some brightly-coloured outfits for dancers.”

Jameel said Abhay was impressed with the clothes he tried on. “You’d think as a man coming from the hub of Indian fashion, in Mumbai, he’d be used to seeing garments similar to what we offer, but he paid high compliments to the outfits,” he said. “Had we been given slightly more time, I’d have sketched and designed bespoke pieces for the production wardrobe, but we are sure those that have been handed over will do us justice.” The brothers are thrilled that their clothes will be given a showcase on national television.“It will be great exposure for us. We have been invited to watch the show in City Park. It’s going to be a big, glamorous night in Bradford,” said Akeel. “We are born and bred in Bradford. We had the opportunity to open branches in other cities across the UK, but declined. They say home is where the heart is, and this city goes through our veins.” Ranis Bradford opened in 2005, and was billed as ‘bringing Bond St to Bradford’ with its high-end interior design and South Asian fashions.  The brothers, who are from a textile family in Bradford and are graduates in PR, marketing and fashion design, offer bespoke, made-to-order garments and off-the-peg pieces, and have clients in the Middle East and South Africa. The boutique provides specialist fabrics, casualwear, formal and evening wear, and bridalwear.“We style weddings across the region,” said Akeel.