Pantene Bridal Couture Week Lahore 2012- Day 1

The brainchild of Style360, Pantene Bridal Couture Week (BCW) opened its doors to Lahore late on Saturday evening. This three-day event sees throngs of people from all walks of life coming to enjoy the show.

Kuki Concepts

Zahid Khan showed his collection based on Gulabjan, a courtesan from the 1930s. This collection was a pleasant surprise due to its overall cohesiveness. The embellishments may not have impressed most but the use of textured jamdani and gota was remarkable.

Asifa and Nabeel

The cousin duo showcased largely the same collection as they had shown recently at PFDC L’Oreal Paris Bridal Week in Lahore a week earlier, with a few tweaks and new additions. The addition of velvet trimmings and see-through backs for menswear was definitely different but not appealing.

Maria B

Before the first break, Maria B presented her Anarkali-inspired ‘Ara collection’, which was somewhat disappointing considering she has established a name for herself and has been around for years. While her collection doesn’t get our vote for structural design, some element did jump out.

Charu Parashar

This Delhi-based designer showed an embroidery-based bridal collection. While the Indian design aesthetic may not appeal to our crowd, their designers have mastered the art of fabulous cuts. Even in this basic collection, the cut of the mermaid lehenga and the pleats of the patiyala shalwar showed good craftsmanship.

Erum Khan

This young designer, who launched her label Medley in 2010, presented her debut bridal collection at BCW. While her concept of the cut-out pearl back sari blouse was refreshing, the lack of good craftsmanship slammed the design into the ground. Her use of colour blocking was unimpressive due to the unimaginative combinations, and the careless finishing at the seams did not help either.

Hajra Hayat

Hajra Hayat is another one whose clients are loyal to her work. While the designer did not push her innovative boundaries and chose instead to showcase a collection that continued the deisgns of days gone by, some elements did jump out. A black velvet bodice modeled by Fayeza Ansari caught the audience’s attention for being different from the typical ‘flare wali kameez’. Ayaan lit up the runway in a fuchsia pink sari paired with a silver blouse full of glittery sequins and crimson embroidery.

Amato

Dubai-based couturier Amato was the opening act of the evening. Amato’s Paris Spring collection comprised embellished evening gowns in mostly feminine pastel colours such as powder pink and mint green. Most gowns had a worked bodice in chiffon or tulle, with the dress ending in a trumpet-shape or A-line skirt.

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