PLBW Day Two: New to the fore

Mahgul started the day on a high note with Shamsha Hashwani bringing it to an ideal end

LAHORE: This year, the PFDC L’oreal Paris Bridal Week (PLBW) dedicated its day two to designers new to the platform. Some were well established in their own right, others were starters but all of them were showcasing their first full bridal collections.

As expected, it was a night of hits and misses but Mahgul started the day on a definite high note, with Shamsha Hashwani bringing it to an ideal end. The Express Tribune gives a lowdown of what happened on day two.

Mahgul



Collection: The Trunks of Sabine

Mahgul’s journey to her first full bridal show is worth lauding and she has already set the bar so high that one can’t help but have high expectations. With this collection, Mahgul did not disappoint, by building on the exquisite 3D sculptural embellishments from her showcase last year. She incorporated some unusual layering with wide leg trousers and overlay kameezes, also employing impressive dupatta draping techniques. One for creating a whole look, she also designed belts, marble inspired clutches and hand harnesses for the showcase. Most of her ensembles were trousseau-wear and it’s evident  that’s where her strength lies as the final bridal outfit on Sadaf Kanwal was a bit of a letdown. The one on Farwa Kazmi, a slouchy angharka kurta with a dhoti shalwar was a standout number that the model glided down the runway in complete ease.

Shiza Hasan



Collection: Amos-e-Abrashami/ The Silken Bride

Shiza Hasan may be new to the PFDC platform but her name is  fairly well known in Lahore, considering she is the sister of famous tennis star Aisam–ul-Haq, who also walked as her showstopper. Her womenswear had various silhouettes from the famed sari-pant of last year, to an off-shoulder choli and paper bag pants but overall, the collection failed to hit the mark. It will probably do well commercially but the designer is yet to develop a signature aesthetic appeal.

Farah & Fatima



Collection: Shahnoor

The duo’s lack of experience was evident in their showcase, which offered an array of sophisticated bridal wear  but did not appear to be cohesive. They primarily played with fabrics such as net, organza, velvet and even brocade and even though it did appear to have some redeemable qualities, it did not bring anything new to the table. It will take Farah & Fatima some time to define their creative niche and evolve as designers.

Saira Rizwan



Collection: Mademoiselle

Saira Rizwan has been serving the Lahori clientele for some years but the brand does not seem to be growing design-wise. For someone who has done shoots with international models and dabbled in lawn as well, Rizwan showed a very typical collection with nothing exciting to offer. Staying in the pastels colour palette, she used threadwork, cutwork and crystals to embellish her outfits but it would have been great to see the designer experiment a little more. Her showstopper Hareem Farooq walked out in a net overlay lengha which was, in fact, Rizwan’s weakest look of them all.

Shamsha Hashwani



Collection: A Mughal Mirage

Shamsha Hashwani’s brand has been around for three years but this show marked her PFDC debut. A very dramatic Sohai Ali Abro opened the show, setting the tone for an equally dramatic and regal showcase. Using inspiration from a Mughal carpet and its motifs of horses, women fanning and turbans, the designer incorporated them into very exquisite hand-embroidered shawls. Fine craftsmanship and great attention to detail was evident in a collection that had muted elegance, with shades such as ivory and beige, offset by the traditional maroon. Hashwani’s collection was one that would look even better up close in a private viewing.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 1^st, 2016.

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