Cleopatra and Bollywood inspired brides

Stylists prepare for the upcoming L’oreal Paris PFDC Bridal Week 2012.

LAHORE:

As L’oreal Paris Pakistan Fashion Design Council (PFDC) Bridal Week 2012 approaches, curiosity rides high about what our designers and stylists have in store for the bride of 2012/2013. Will she portray a soft romantic look or a dramatic vixen one? The Express Tribune speaks to some stylists as they prepare for the trend-defining bridal week.

“This is our business so we have to cater to what the client needs and likes,” says Khawar Riaz, who won a Lux Style Award for best hair and make-up in 2009. “I want to make each bride look pretty.” Riaz believes that he will not be attending the bridal week as an artist, but rather as an entrepreneur. He proposed three looks he would be working with for the upcoming season: the liner look, soft eyes with blood red lips and the powdery-pink lips effects.

Inspired by the classic Josephine Baker look, Riaz intends on reviving and incorporating Hollywood glamour and style into this season’s bridal look. In addition, the runway will witness an intriguing blend of Cleopatra’s dramatic eyes (strokes of eyeliner) and the luscious lips of a traditional Lucknow bride.

“When going vintage, be sure to give it a modern touch in order to not make it look too dated,” says Shammal Qureshi of Toni & Guy, who also plans on revisiting the classic glamour and style of Hollywood but with a more bold vintage look. “I will use shades of vintage red and wine to really give that classic Hollywood-Bollywood feel.” In order to create a more romantic appeal, he will experiment with all kinds of braids. “From fish tail buns to braid bands, anything will work as long as it keeps the romance alive.”

The addition of smokey eyes, on the other hand, will serve as an integral part of the whole package. “Since winter is on its way, we predict that dramatic smokey eyes will come back into style,” says Qureshi, with regards to the upcoming season. “Dramatic smokey eyes, soft highlighted eyes, and even champagne, brown, or purple smokey eyes are most popular.”

Maram & Aabroo, a make-up and photography duo in the fashion industry, also gave an insight into what the audience should expect this year. “We’ve observed that looks are being inspired from the ‘20s, ‘60s and ‘70s this season,” Maram reveals, adding that their make-up will be inspired by the ‘40s and ‘50s instead. “Women in this era did their own make-up on their wedding days — applied face cream as foundation, kajal on their eyes, and a pinch of moisture-enriched lipsticks as blush on their cheeks.”

“We’ll be using subtle liquid foundations that give close to a natural finish along with kohl pencils and liners to define the eyes,” says Maram, adding that the modern bride doesn’t want to be caked with layers of foundation, powder and eye shades and they are simply keeping their preference in mind.

They will retain their focus on what their expertise lies in — creating a sheer natural look, which appeals to women in Pakistan. “Sheer and neutral colours as eye shades will be used instead of a kaleidoscope of colours along with pink and peach shades to give a natural blush — and moisture-enriched lipsticks from reds to nudes, to finish the look.”

A lot can be expected from the stylists this season as they plan on experimenting with various looks and genres of make-up for the upcoming L’oreal Paris PFDC Bridal Week.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2012.         

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