Faraz Manan returned to the PFDC platform with an ode to Alhambra while HSY, in a fresh grand finale, paid tribute to the lioness in every woman.
This year’s bridal week wrapped up with some of the best names in bridal fashion showing along with a PFDC sponsored showcase for the young and talented Hira Ali. Over the course of the three days, bridal bigwigs like Sania Maskatiya, Sana Safinaz, Fahad Hussayn, Zara Shahjahan and Elan were conspicuously absent but the industry now has many established designers to keep the proverbial wheels of the bridal fashion bus turning. Here’s what took place on the ramp…
Nickie Nina
Nickie Nina’s Noor Mahal collection had them tap into chunri, block print and gota like their PLBW outing last year. Although most of their outfits did feature this sensibility, some went the heavier worked route and weakened what could have been a decent traditional collection. It would be good to see Nickie Nina look into sparsely worked ensembles and develop them further.
HSY
HSY’s show was dedicated to the women of KPK and opened to the drum and beat of Khumariyan’s music, the band who comes from the region and is featured on Coke Studio 11. It was great to see older models take to the ramp for Sheru, including Nooray and Cybil since most of them had chosen to sit out this fashion week. The collection was signature HSY with motifs and patterns that have been a recurring theme in his collections. The finale show, however, didn’t manage to stir up the same excitement in the frow’s as some of the earlier shows had. Could it be the feeling of dejavu the clothes evoked? But then again, it’s the signature the designer is known and celebrated for. Now that’s a point to ponder over…
Faraz Manan
His much anticipated return to the PFDC platform with Alhambra was a chance to be reminded of why Manan’s offerings are faring so well in international markets. Not only were his 40 designs unabashedly glamourous, structurally sound, well fitted and finished but he had also managed to strike the right balance between both worlds. Small design tweaks like mermaid cut and tapered lehngas immediately set his designs a class apart, giving them a modern edge. Two of his standout numbers were a blouse with ruffles and an emerald green gown that could easily be transported to a red carpet attendee in Cannes, a celebratory party in the Middle East or to the local bride who wants to make a style statement. His menswear was equally strong, featuring well-constructed cuts and subtle colours.
Republic by Omar Farooq
As the only designer with a full menswear collection, expectations always run high with Republic. Hunar ran the entire gamut of wedding related menswear from sherwanis, Nehru jackets, Mandarin collar jackets, tuxedos and suits and experimented within fabrics and embroidery. The collection was sharply tailored but one has come to expect that with a designer of Farooq’s caliber. The only thing it was missing was Fawad Khan and his charm, which usually elevates Republic’s presentation up a notch.
Hira Ali Studios
Hira Ali came to the fore with PFDC’s rising talent slot and emerged strongest the year she showed. In lieu of that, PFDC sponsored her debut bridal show – a much needed breath of fresh air. Snaptrapped was by the young, for the young and featured a milieu of experimental silhouettes like a mesh cape, an organza shirt with a bodice along with net layering and a smattering of her signature 3D embellishments. There were Pride jackets thrown on shoulders, thin glasses and braids with wraps making it a refreshing take on bridal fashion. When asked where she pictures her clothes being worn, the designer replied: “We’re not just targeting the local market with these clothes. The concept of bridal fashion needs to evolve and we’re all here for it.”
Photography by Faisal Farooqui and his team at Dragonfly
