LAHORE: It was the Nomi Ansari who painted the ramp with his merry colours in the opening segment of the third and final day of the PFDC L’Oreal Bridal Week at the Faletti’s Hotel on Thursday.

In the first few outfits, he did away with metallic embellishments and took the silk route to introduce silk thread embroidery and shimmer sequins to give a new angle to the element of bridal bling, and it set the mood for all that followed. The mood remained classically eastern and the kaleidoscopic saris and menswear sherwanis were strongly reminiscent of his debut patchwork collection.

Digital floral prints on lehengas, shararas and solid gold work on a stunning turquoise number with a Chinese collar worn by model Sunita kept the focus on what was new and different, and traditional with a twist. Sequin clusters on sheer fabric, a powder-pink Shanghai fabric vest worn by model Mohammed were some of the standouts while the bridal wear was interspersed with complimenting groomsware. The entire collection played itself out like a love affair on the ramp with Mehwish Hayat as Nomi Ansari’s fitting showstopper.

The Ghalib Collection by Nida Azwer drew inspiration from the works of the ghazal master in a collection that encompassed chaddars, shawls and stoles with miniature Mughal art borders with Persian symbolic influences such as birds, peacocks, elephants, and horses depicting hunting scenes. The mute colour palette also showed off what can best be described as the paisley-lotus motif, besides cutwork and animal borders.

Misha Lakhani put forth a drab set of outfits with hardly anything new to offer. The designer needs to up her game and so far she is consistent in being predictable with her limited range of designing skills.

After the break, Nickie Nina showed off Rumi to Raj – The Hameeda Banu Collection, a regal take on the Mughal Rajdhani and encompassed outfits to fit every occasion related to the big fat Pakistani wedding.

Closing the show were the legendary Sana Safinaz with their take on bridals which continue to be sought after by brides all over Pakistan and is the envy of many a bridal wear competitor. Humaima Malik was the showstopper in this segment.

The three-day PFDC L’Oreal Bridal Week had show production and choreography by HSY and his team with styling credits shared by Maram Aabroo, Nabila & N-Gents and Khawar Riaz; front stage management by Maheen Kardar Ali, logistics operations by Eleventh Retail and media management by Lotus.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2014