LAHORE: The fifth consecutive PFDC L’Oreal Paris Bridal Week commenced at the Faletti’s Hotel on Wednesday with an impressive three-day line up of trousseau designers boasting names that comprise the who’s who of the country’s bridal fashion. Hair and make-up trends will also feature prominently during all shows.

Opening Day One was Karma Red with a collection comprising classic reds and pinks in short shirts, dazzling sequins and structured sleek and slim silhouettes. It denoted an exit from the affair with flair and volume, while the menswear remained traditional with screen-printed polka dots on candy-coloured kurtas.

Ali Xeeshan’s bold and gold applique, yellow-on-beige heavily worked bridals were classic of the designer’s fashion aesthetics presented in his signature style with pomp and splendour, replete with elegantly crafted kites and accessories. He also showed pink-on-grey numbers along with a rather extraordinary segment even by his standards in which models sporting Mickey and Minnie Mouse oversized masks were put on the ramp to the utter shock and confusion of those present. Meesha Shafi also made an appearance in a long bridal coat with variations in colour and cuts.

Saniya Maskatiya weaved a story pattern in embroidery and embellishment and an oriental print sleeveless long coat.

The Bank Alfalah Rising Talent featured emerging designers Maheen Ghani Taseer, Zarmisha Dar, Faiza Saqlain and Hamza Bokhari. Maheen showed outfits from her collection titled Valiant and dedicated it to her husband Shahbaz Taseer, while Zarmisha showed roses in different shapes in borders. Faiza’s outfits were inspired by the gorgeous hand-embroidered gowns of Queen Elizabeth and Hamza showed Russian dolls in embellished motifs as cross cultural influences.

This segment seeks to recognise, revere and reward upcoming talent with a cash prize of Rs500,000 to the winning designer through online voting and a display of the work of the four participating designers at its lounge set up within the show premises.

Republic by Omar Farooq featured, besides the menswear, a capsule collection of women’s wear titled Rosa. There was bling galore with magnificently sculpted gowns and classic eastern wear with baby pearls. The menswear featured sherwanis and a classic midnight blue tux.

The Legends segment featured models given a makeover as screen icons Madam Noor Jehan, Tahira Syed and Babra Sharif through hairstyles and hair colour for Elan meets Excellence Crème by L’Oreal Paris. Later, Khadija Shah of Elan closed Day One with a collection featuring animal and insect patterns on classic bling bridals besides the more traditional motifs and patterns.

The next two days of the bridal week will feature Ammara Khan, Asifa and Nabeel, Fahad Hussayn, HSY, Misha Lakhani, Nickie Nina, Nomi Ansari, Saira Shakira, Sana Safinaz, Shamaeel Ansari and The House of Kamiar Rokni.

The event has been directed and choreographed by HSY and his team with hair and make-up by Nabila’s and N-Gents.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2015

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