Breakdown: PFDC Bridal week

There were a few glitches and misses which hindered a fluid flow of events. More established names needed on the ramp.

ISLAMABAD:

After four days of bridal fashion fever, PFDC L’Oreal Bridal Week came to an end on Saturday night. Overall, the event was a success with minor glitches; the PFDC accompanied by its sponsors and managing team pulled off the event incredibly well.

In these testing times, with a weak economy and a volatile security situation, the organisation of an event on such a scale is not a minor feat itself. That being said, there were a few glitches and misses which hindered a fluid flow of events. Here are things that can be improved to make the event a better affair. A more pleasant experience will be beneficial for the PFDC, associated designers and also the business of fashion in the longer run.

A better line-up

The PFDC is an institute of ample credibility and boasts of producing, nurturing and establishing one of the most sought after names of today. But this year’s line-up was quite a disappointment in comparison to what the PFDC is capable of.

Over the course of four days, there were some labels on display that left one questioning the quality of bridal showcase.

While stalwarts like Maheen Kardar Ali of Karma, Kamiar Rokni and Sara Shahid observed the show from the front row and opted not to have ramp presence, lesser known names like Sai, Teena by Hina Butt and Sonia Azhar with no or little prior experience left the audience underwhelmed with their uninspiring and predictable take on bridals.

One wishes to see more of the established names known for their quality of work. To keep the mix eclectic, the PFDC could involve more young promising names like Zara Shahjahan, Mohsin Ali and other fresh graduates instead of labels like Hina Butt and Layla Chatoor who may have the commercial success but left a lot to be desired in terms of creativity.

Better audience

Lahore by nature is a city fond of show and theatrics. A pass to an event like this is always a hot commodity up for grabs for the Lahori audience.

Housewives with infant babies and herds of designer acquaintances adorned the seats that should have been filled with buyers, retailers, celebrities and mainstream press. While the press for the most part was adequately represented, a lack of any buyers or retailers was greatly felt. With no opportunity of direct business generation, what is the incentive in showing for designers who go through the financial and physical hassle of producing a collection?

Time delays

This PFDC Bridal Week was the seventh PFDC organised fashion show. But even with all the experience and wisdom to their name, gruelling time delays remain a major issue.

An hour delay was a routine for each day. To top that off, every day was filled with a painful 30 minute break that usually expanded to longer during the shows in the guise of a security sweep.

More firmness with time will not only be a reprieve for attendees but will also allow PFDC to add another designer on each day if a strict time schedule is followed.

Lack of glitz and celebrities

Lahore may be a city of glitz and glamour, but this event lacked the oomph factor that one usually observes at fashion events in Lahore.

While last year’s event was pumped with celebrity appearances from “Humsafar’s” Fawad and Mahira to performances by the likes of Josh, QB, Bilal Khan and Sanam Marvi, this year lacked that glamour with just one performance by QB and an appearance by Meesha Shafi.

The black carpet was an equally dull affair with a lot of unrecognisable faces. Celebrity presence unarguably increases the show’s value and makes it more marketable, reportable and adds to the social buzz.

Runway trend report

Bridal Week comes to an end, and wedding season is about to start. On the runway of four days of bridal week, trends emerged as designers presented their looks for the wedding season of 2012. The Express Tribune takes a look at the trends that will be big in the upcoming wedding season:

Velvet

Velvet was one trend that was seen in abundance on the Bridal Week runway and is touted to be huge this wedding season. Velvet has an innate trait to look showy and tacky if it’s overdone as displayed at the Hina Butt show, so the trick is to incorporate it subtly in your wardrobe and use accents in your look. Asifa and Nabeel used velvet most intricately and tastefully with models wearing beautifully done velvet sleeves and bottoms; Misha Lakhani did velvet lowers with a sheer overlay. Velvet as a fabric could also be used for just the blouse as Sonia Azhar did or as bordering on a sari or an angarkha as it was seen for Ali Xeeshan.

Jumpsuits

A jumpsuit is the last outfit that comes to your mind when putting Pakistani bridals in perspective. But fashion is all about pushing the envelope and having fun while you are at it. From Nida Azwer to Misha Lakhani, designers offered plenty of jumpsuit options. To keep it ‘Pakistani wedding compliant’, the jumpsuit can be paired with a chiffon or net overall or with an embellished coat.

Mismatching colours

Gone are the days of having a head to toe look in a single colour. The fashion forward look is about mixing not matching. One trend that stood out was pairing a dupatta in a different colour as compared to the colour of the whole ensemble. A lime green silk dupatta with an organza jora or a tea pink with a green one is a striking look, and one that will make you look distinct from the rest of the crowd wearing conventional colours.

Shararas with broad embellished bridals

Embellished borders in a sharara or wide bottom pants were all over the bridal week runway. Models for Élan wore shararas with ethereal crystal work on the borders. This particular look dominated the Élan runway. The look can be worked by wearing a plain sharara in a light hue with a widely embellished border at the bottom underneath a long, heavily done shirt.

Separates

Bridals are mostly about a three piece trousseau. But at this year’s bridal week, designers offered more varied and diverse separate options. Instead of the usual blouse, gharara and dupatta combo, designers paired blazers with ghararas and net mukesh worked coats with pants and shararas. The look brought diversity, was fashion forward and is a lot lighter and easier to carry. There were plenty of bejeweled blazers, unstructured capes and embroided coats spotted at the Azza and Asifa & Nabeel show.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2012.

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