The Desi Bride's Survival Guide: Spring couture trends for brides-to-be

KARACHI:

Thanks to our booming fashion industry, this year’s bridal weeks have set the ramp alight with glittering bridal ensembles. While they may not completely change the face of bridal fashion in the coming season, there are certainly some modern and bold tweaks to the otherwise conventional bridal looks.

For the longest time, red has been a trademark for the Pakistani bride. But as we get more and more aligned with the international fashion scene, both brides-to-be and designers are ready to challenge the norms. One of the most conspicuous budding trends is the addition of black in bridal wear. Closely associated with mourning, wearing black on any wedding function was once taboo. However, the modern-day bride is bold, edgy and contemporary and is brave enough to defy orthodox superstitions. Unless you prefer living on the edge, there is no need to upset your grandmother by going head-to-toe black. Instead, use its intensity as an accent in borders and embroidery.

Directly opposite to this dramatic change, bridal fashion has shifted towards subtlety and delicacy with pastel hues and lighter shades of gold. “While there will always be a steady demand for the traditional red bridal, color trends are significantly leaning towards soft feminine hues such as chai pinks, salmons, corals and peaches,” says current bride-favourite designer Farah Talib Aziz. “White has made a huge comeback, with the classic ivory and gold combination complemented with brighter coloured dupattas. While purples have been in the shadows, we’re expecting a revival of the color with orchid being Pantone’s color for 2014.”



Young designers like Misha Lakhani and Sania Maskatiya also flaunted lighter tones of green and pink in their creations for the recent bridal week. Another major development in the bridal-wear domain has been a growing emphasis on the shirt as a focal point. It’s time that you save all the shimmer for the shirt rather than the lehenga or the dupatta. “Where once the dupatta was given utmost importance, it has now been completely discarded. We see details directed to the shirt, made in straighter, classic cuts,” reveals designer Ayesha Sohail of Ayesha-Somaya.

A major development in the bridal-wear domain has been a growing emphasis on the shirt as a focal point. Designs by Ayesha-Somaya

However, if you are one of those brides who have been dreaming of a wedding day similar to one of your favourite overly emotional Bollywood movie, then luck is on your side. B-town has not only swamped the entertainment industry but has also sneakily trotted into our couture preferences with the gutsy cholis. “It is a daring move to wear a midriff bearing choli to a wedding function, but the trend has made a raging comeback. Although most of our brides wear the embellished choli under a sheer jacket, peshwas or angharkha, the choli trend is here to stay,” adds Aziz.

Red is still as hot and fiery as always. Designs by Farah Talib Aziz

Incase you are fond of tradition and heritage and want to stick to a truly desi bridal look despite the current trends, red is still as hot and fiery as always. Pair it with ivory or embellish it with antique tilla and dabka work to really bring out that vintage look you have been dying to flaunt.

One of the most conspicuous budding trends is the addition of black in bridal wear. Designs by Ayesha-Somaya

We realise that designer bridal wear prices have skyrocketed, so there is no harm in being creative. Head to the old Saddar town in Karachi or the Indian bazaar near Wagah border and be your own stylist and designer. Our couture guide will surely give you some jumping-off points for your big day.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2013.

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