Fresh off the boat of her first successful bridal exhibition in Lahore, designer Zara Shahjahan landed in the city by the sea to host yet another trunk show for the Karachi market, this Sunday. Held at her flagship on Khayaban-e-Bukhari, the trunk show attracted flocks of brides-to-be and fashionistas, despite it being Valentine’s Day, and deservingly so.
Fresh off the boat of her first successful bridal exhibition in Lahore, designer Zara Shahjahan landed in the city by the sea to host yet another trunk show for the Karachi market, this Sunday. Held at her flagship on Khayaban-e-Bukhari, the trunk show attracted flocks of brides-to-be and fashionistas, despite it being Valentine’s Day, and deservingly so.
Boasting a variety of traditional embellishment techniques including kora, dabka and gota intertwined with modern, floral design forms, Zara’s bridal collection echoed intricacy in craftsmanship. Unlike the dull and pastel colour palette that has become hugely popular with Lahore-based designers, the designer’s choice of emerald greens, deep magentas and mustard yellow were truly refreshing. However, while she retained her signature of floral vintage patterns in some of the lehngas paired with worked shirts, the overall aesthetic appeared very similar to contemporaries like Elan and Faraz Manan, who are known for their bridal couture.
“The work isn’t similar to a particular designer,” Zara responded to the prevailing criticism. “In fact, the work is typical to the whole of Lahore. Lahoris enjoy the bling and this kind of work. Lahore’s karighars are known for this work. You can call it the Lahori aesthetic.”
“My personal aesthetic revolves around anything that is vintage and not just florals. But we realized that a lot of the brides don’t want to wear floral or printed lehngas on their wedding day,” she added. “They would keep the shirt as is but change the lehnga or the sharara. So the clothes have been created keeping in mind the preferences. Even Karachi has its own aesthetic. A lot of big bridal designers have a similar feel to their outfits because that’s what the Karachi market prefers.”
And what would attract the Karachi market to a Zara Shahjahan creation? It is different.
Butterflies and figurines merged in meticulously crafted, diamantes’ jaal, crushed silk Dhaka pajamas and lace lehnga cholis, Zara’s bridal creations are quite different from the heavily embellished cotton net attires that are readily available in Karachi. Given that she comes in with an aesthetic fresh for the metropolis, her couture may also have more potential for success in Karachi.
- Photo courtesy: Secretcloset.pk
