BCW 2016, Day 3: Fashion through the ages

Day three of Bridal Couture Week was an ode to tradition and its relevance in modern times

KARACHI: The final day of the Bridal Couture Week (BCW) Gold Edition 2016 was an open invitation for young brides to set their imagination free, and experiment with styles of yesteryears. Designers set classic examples of how modern couture concepts can be amalgamated with traditional work to create stunning masterpieces  fit for royalty! The creative twist seemed to resonate with the taste of just about everyone in attendance.

Nickie & Nina

Collection name: Untitled

The dynamic duo gave us a bit of everything we love. Strolling away from their comfort zone, Nickie & Nina brought to the ramp some gorgeous lace culottes, kamdaani dupattas, and gota worked shirts, all sending those present into a reverie of the classic trends of the past. We witnessed superior quality, intricate craftsmanship on rich materials including jamawaar, silk, velvet and organza. Jumping straight into the spirit of the bridal season, the collection was all about regal Dhaka pyjamas, farshi ghararas and chatta patti worked ghararas embellished to perfection.

Rang Ja

Collection name: Mela

Rang Ja really did bring a whole ‘mela’ to the ramp, but we’re not sure if it is inspiring enough to rule the wedding season. Ideally suited for a pre-wedding function such as mehndi and dholki, this collection showcased vibrantly coloured shalwar kameez, lehnga choli and skirts. One particular motif of an embroidered parrot caught our attention.

Emraan Rajput

Collection name: The Royal Raj

Rajput’s was a men’s wear capsule collection comprising immaculately tailored sherwanis and waistcoats coupled with shawls, kullahs and handcrafted khussas. The delicate gold wire work on the sleeves and necklines was worthy of every bit of appreciation the collection received. Rajput has made a name for himself in the fashion industry with cuts and styles that truly stand out, and he did not disappoint us this time either!

Aisha Imran

Collection name: Untitled

It seemed as if ‘simplicity is beauty’ was the idea behind Imran’s collection. The designer used a palette of softer hues to create elaborate bridals. The lehengas, ghararas and long gowns all boasted detailed diamante and pearl work on shades of pink and dull gold. We loved how the designer combined heavy bridal trousseaus with tie-and-dye dupattas — certainly a first on the ramp for the event. The collection was perfect for the young bride of today, radiating elegance, charm and grandeur.

Asifa & Nabeel

Collection name: Lavender Fields

The moment Asifa & Nabeel’s collection was announced, our fingers crossed instinctively. The duo has previously failed to impress at fashion shows with over-the-top, utterly gaudy outfits. However, it seems they’ve finally gotten their act together. Their BCW Day 3 collection was a breath of fresh air that stood away from past disasters; the designers used contrasting shades of lilac, mauve, purple and grey to create opulent gowns and ghararas.

Amir Adnan

Collection name: Ceremony

With Adnan you can always choose to steer clear of the typical red khullahs and black sherwanis that most men don on their wedding days. The designer unleashed a collection of tastefully crafted short jackets coupled with Jodhpur pyjamas in varying colours, along with three-piece sherwani suits. Adnan, as always, proved that men too can play around with hues, themes and styles when selecting an outfit for the big day. The bridals were sans reds, but looked equally magnificent in beige and gold.

Sonya Battla

Collection name: Couture

Battla is known for her minimalistic approach and Western silhouettes accentuated with modern cuts. Her collection for the night was primarily in blacks, beiges and off-whites featuring lots of layering and frills. Perhaps in an attempt to stay true to her design aesthetics, Battla drove too far away from the theme of the show. The attendees looking forward to a bridal collection and was therefore noticeably disappointed.

Grand Couturiers

Grand Couturiers was a segment giving a glimpse into the design ethics of Elan, Nida Azwer, Sania Maskatiya, Shamaeel, Kamiar Rokni, Zara Shahjahan, Umar Sayeed and jewellery designer Sherezad Rahimtoola. The work of three designers stood out in terms of innovation and intricate workmanship. Elan for combining ghararas with velvet shawls, Rokni for those splendid, heavily-embellished Dhaka pyjamas, and finally Sayeed for his black and silver bridals.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2016.

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