PHOTOS COURTESY: Faisal Farooqui/DragonFly
Ahmed Sultan, J&H Studio, Tayab Moazzam Studio and Asma Aslam were among those who made their debut on the fashion platform with their bridal collections. Sofia Loren also walked the ramp for Aslam. The effort was made but couldn’t impress us with silhouettes or craftsmanship. Out of these, the duo of Tayab and Moazzam managed to uplift the mood of spectators, offering exciting and innovative creations on the runway. Mawra Hocane served as their showstopper, closing the show in an embellished silver gown, heavily encrusted with sparkling crystals.
Saira Rizwan
Collection: Aaina
PHOTOS COURTESY: Faisal Farooqui/DragonFly
Mirror and gota work with techniques of chevron and linear designs in bold hues of red, gold, silver and pastels dominated her collection. The silhouettes included elegant yet modern cuts in the form of floor length gowns and ornamented lehenga cholis paired with five yards of equally embellished dupattas. Some contemporary trousers paired with net asymmetrical shirts were spotted on the ramp, making them a suitable choice for cocktail parties. However, what caught our attention was the menswear which comprised of block-printed long jackets and waistcoats. A sherwani with an unusual neckline and embroidery certainly led the pack.
Rizwan is the only designer who introduced something new for to-be grooms. Actor Sumbal modelled in a bright red lehenga choli completed in gold embroidery.
The House of Kamiar Rokni
Collection: Golestan
PHOTOS COURTESY: Faisal Farooqui/DragonFly
The brand did complete justice to the much-hyped show. The collection was bright, vibrant and festive. Rokni used rich fabrics including tissue nets, velvet and hand woven silk, all of which were hand embroidered and embellished using gota kinari, zardozi, tilla and chatta patti. It played with both bright colours such as maroon and red as well as pastel shades like ice blue, coral and light pink. The traditional gota work on most of the pieces added sheen to the collection.
It was refreshing to see an old-fashioned gharara teamed up with a short shirt after having an overdose of lehenga cholis. The most interesting pieces, however, were the lime green net skirt, the multi-coloured short blouse with structured fringes on the shoulders and the white embroidered trousers matched with a short, high-collar jacket. The attached veil called for brownie points! It was definitely something that can be worn to any wedding event.
Misha Lakhani
Collection: Pairidaeza
PHOTOS COURTESY: Faisal Farooqui/DragonFly
Touted as the most-awaited show of the evening, Lakhani’s collection exuded modernity and nostalgia at the same time. The showcase featured the ace designer’s signature craftsmanship with an emphasis on subverting traditional motifs and reinterpreting them in a manner that was contemporary yet classic.
The colour scheme ranged from ivory, lime, pink and coral to bright red and black. What we loved about the collection was that it had something for every occasion, be it an engagement, wedding or trousseau. Versatile separates included crushed lehengas paired with long embroidered shirts and cropped tops. Anarkalis made an appearance and so did izaars coupled with velvet hand embroidered shirts.
PHOTOS COURTESY: Faisal Farooqui/DragonFly
My favourite was the lime green lehenga which was fully embroidered with resham and paired with an ivory gota and mirror worked dupatta. It was a timeless piece which can be dressed up or down according to the occasion. Pairidaeza was an inspiration for every type of bride, allowing them to be themselves. It entailed hand-embroidered miniature and jewelled backless khussas, created in collaboration with Miaasa. It truly added something unique to an evening of varied tastes.
Sania Maskatiya
Collection: DILARA
PHOTOS COURTESY: Faisal Farooqui/DragonFly
Maskatiya’s bridals boasted of the perfect blend of soft pastels and bold jewel shades. Her collection offered a take on modern silhouettes with eastern style. What caught the eye, however, were intricate animal miniature motifs that took on art forms such as zardozi and resham and were incorporated on everything including crushed lehengas, embroidered crop tops with jackets, long embellished gowns, peshwases and ghararas.
The beige sharara paired with a long flared shirt and generously splashed with zardozi, crystals and cutwork made for a classic statement piece. Overall, DILARA was graceful and did not disappoint in the wedding wear trends department for this festive season. The menswear comprised of prince coats and sherwanis.
Sonia Azhar
Collection: Timeless Pieces
PHOTOS COURTESY: Faisal Farooqui/DragonFly
She presented a striking display of patterns and cuts in ultra-feminine silhouettes like strapless gowns, structured trousers with short tops and flamboyant lehengas paired with a variety of shirts and blouses. Sonia used a lot of ruffle, which is so last season! The showcase was limited to a clientele that would opt for extremely modern cuts in wedding wear. Mansha Pasha was clad in a red and gold heavily embroidered show-stopping lehenga and halter blouse.
Mahgul
Collection: Tales of Bijin
PHOTOS COURTESY: Faisal Farooqui/DragonFly
The design house closed the evening displaying a collection that featured a mix of traditional ensembles and understated glamorous pieces. Those that stood out from afar were long dresses, some paired with stately jackets, velvet kurtas, hand embroidered lehengas and various styles of trousers and separates enhanced with thread work, gold wire and zardozi.
The silver long dress, bare from the midriff and attached with a broach, was a treat for sore eyes. It was paired with an embellished jacket made from tissue fabric. One of my favourites was the plain red sari dress with a gold chunky border that was worn with a short cropped blouse. Saving the best for last, the scene-stealing outfit was a glittering gold and ivory lehenga with resham, zardozi and crystal work, sported by supermodel Mehreen Syed. Mahgul’s collection embraced designs that celebrated the individual and brides who would embrace traditions in their unique way.
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