KARACHI: Day Three of Pantene Bridal Couture Week 2013 at the Expo Centre boasted big names in bridal couture such as Hasan Sheheryar Yasin, Deepak Perwani, Nadya Mistry along with the Haute Couturiers show besides the standard fare. The hair and make-up was by Saba Ansari and her team at Sabs Salon with choreography on all the days by HSY.

Earlier, Lahore-based design house Lajwanti had opened Day Two with an earth-tone collection that encompassed superlative embellishments with fantastical cuts and superlative silhouettes. The palette branched out into greens and traditional reds with a classic showstopper that was a feast for the eyes. Newcomer Madiha Nauman was next to show her take on bridal couture. The stylist for Day Two was Laiqa Hassan.

Jewellery designer Maliha Sheikh showed her collection of exquisite pieces comprising pendants, necklaces, earring and more with outfits by Sania Maskatiya. The chunky pieces fared fairly well on the ramp.

During a brief chat during the break, Indian designer Anjalee she said that it’s the first time she’s showing in Pakistan and that she was approached through her store in Dubai. The label operates from four international outlets catering to couture and specifically global couture. “Indian designs are mostly wedding-oriented while my global couture is red carpet, detail party stuff also featuring white gowns. Pakistan designs appeal to Indians very much as they are fabulous and Indians are crazy about Pakistani silhouettes. Our elite simply adore them and it’s favourite as street fashion too. At PBCW I have bridals, anarkalis, menswear, couture gowns, bridal lehengas, etc. I’m approached regularly by people in Lahore and Karachi through my Dubai store. Both our countries have remarkable cultural similarities. It’s fabulous working together as we come from similar mindsets which haven’t changed at all and it’s a beautiful thing.”

Show Two on Day Two featured Teena by Hina Butt and Yasmeen Zaman’s exceptional cuts and silhouettes which impressed all round. The day concluded with Anjalee & Arjun Kapoor from India in what was possibly an education for the future direction of bridals. As the duo sent down one gorgeous gown after another down the ramp the crowds erupted in thunderous applause.

Day Three First timer Sana Abbas showed straight pants, Dhaka pajamas, shararas with silver mukesh thread work and the fusion of metal and resham thread embroideries on a base of traditional colours and fabrics. She also worked with layering. In stark contrast, Nadya Mistry’s Stardust collection appeared to be a rather edgy take on bridal fashion, risqué, unorthodox and highly experimental.

A dance medley by Hasan Rizvi and his Body Beat dance troupe rocked the house next. It featured Hum TV hosts as showstoppers, namely Anoushay Ashraf, Suha, Kiran Khan, Waqar, Tipu and many others.

Mifrah’s eastern silhouettes and traditional embroideries on a mute palette with shots of brilliant, vibrant colour opened the show followed by full-fledged glamour quotient. A silver-on-black sari with a border worn by model Rubab was outstanding and the entire collection stood out as simple, elegant and classy.

Aijazz Aslam, Faisal Qureshi and Amber Khan were the showstoppers for the designer who got the critics’ nod of approval for her design sensibilities and to looking forward to even better collections from her.