LAHORE:Bridal Couture Week (BCW) 2016 concluded on Sunday, with day three going well past midnight and drawing the stars out. From singing sensation Momina Mustehsan to Arshad Khan aka Chaiwala, the night was indeed full of glitz, glamour and the who’s who of the Pakistani entertainment circles.
Some star couples turned heads on the ramp, namely Urwa Hocane and her fiancé Farhan Saeed. The recently-engaged couple drew in plenty of applause but sadly, the theatrics could not save the evening for most attendees and one couldn’t help but feel relieved that the fashion extravaganza is now over.
All said and done, the positive developments emerging from platforms such as BCW have reached saturation point by now.
Designer: Wardha Saleem
Collection: Rangraaz
Day three started off with the Karachi-based Saleem sending a vibrant collection down the runway. Multicolored angrakhas, layered tulip shalwars, embossed motifs and velvet shararas gave a regal look to the lineup. The lively kick off with dhol walas and traditional dancing horses gave an up lift to the show and set the pace for other designers to follow. Saleem’s manifestation of unusual colour combinations and block screen printing techniques made Rangraaz one of the highlights of the show.
Designer: ZIGGI Menswear
Collection: Zawiya
ZIGGI Menswear is of the few designers that you may want to keep tabs on this wedding season. Zawiya was inspired by the designer’s spiritual journey to mystical places which were depicted in his collection of very apt velvet tailcoats, Turkish caps, double breasted dress jackets and full-length embroidered sherwanis with Ottoman era baggy lowers to complete the look.
Designer: Faiza Saqlain
Collection: Soz Kesimion
Saqlain’s use of sheer fabric gave a whimsical and romantic feel to the silhouettes of her collection. It was visually pleasing, with additional features such as 3D tassels, mukesh and resham work. The men’s gota-embellished waistcoats in eccentric colours like mehndi green and burgundy stood out. TV star Mira Sethi walked for the designer in a lehnga choli and looked every bit a diva.
Designer: Umsha by Uzma Babar
Collection: Amore
This was a mix of modern cuts and designs which, unfortunately, failed to leave a mark.
Designer: Asifa & Nabeel
Collection: Crystalline
Asifa and Nabeel’s showcase started off with a vigorous performance by RDB. The Lahore-based designer duo created an ivory collection in feminine layering and cuts interspersed with threadwork strewn with crystals, giving the clothes a floating-on-the-clouds look.
Designer: Nickie Nina
Collection: Nouvelle Mariée
The line oozed royalty in luxurious brocades and rich detailing. One got carried away by the loose, short-hemmed kurtas teamed with fitted pajamas. Then there was the revival of classic shalwar, fully-embellished velvet jackets and shawls that were quite suited for winter weddings.
The grand capsule collections by Élan, Nida Azwer, Kamiar Rokni and Sania Maskatiya had already been showcased at PFDC Paris L’Oreal Bridal Week and Fashion Pakistan Week earlier this year. Élan also held a solo show in Lahore recently. But as BCW is a platform for reaching out to expats, it made sense for the designers to bring out their pieces on the runway.
The ready-to-wear and well-priced separates by Nida Azwer deserve a special mention. The designer displayed fusion cut gharara paired with a cut out shoulder wrap. The tapered tulip pants and modern take on shorter angrakhas with fitted pants, ponchos with intricate resham and zari embroidery made for some sensual pieces. ‘All separates can be paired with plain solids or bottoms which can be dressed up or down, according to the occasion,’ Azwer said.
House of Kamiar Rokni’s aesthetic have an infinite ethnic appeal with a strong focus on timeless classic bridal wear. We can always count on the label for adding the right details that can make a lasting impression. Élan, being the label it has come up to be, has always pushed the envelope with an abundance of luxury. The collection featured classic red bridals embellished with gold tilla and threadwork. Amir Adnan let out a mixed bag by experimenting with sheer body skimming saris and ghararas for women which didn’t work out too well, although his signature men’s sherwanis looked graceful.
