Those of you wanting to make a splash with your sartorial choices this wedding season need to look no further than the gorgeous collections seen at the recently concluded PFDC L’Oreal Paris Bridal Week (PLBW). From interesting silhouettes to eclectic colour combos, there emerged a number of trends that would elevate a wedding outfit from just pretty to head-turner material. Instep rounds up some key trends we saw on the runway…
Androgyny meets femininityWe loved Saira Shakira’s experimental take on wedding fashion and this collared embellished shirt is a fine example of how edgy can combine with traditional for a winning combo. The androgynous shirt colour is offset perfectly by the femininity of the rest of the ensemble – the pretty pink, the sheer sleeves, and the heavily-worked lehnga.
The half-sariAsifa Nabeel’s Meena Maniratna might have been a mediocre collection overall but it did have its moments, such as this outfit which is a twist on the traditional sari and lehnga. The cropped velvet blouse with sheer sleeves, wraparound dupatta and the understated skirt make for a dramatic yet elegant ensemble. The half-sari (originally conceptualized by Maheen Khan) is a trend that was seen in a number of other collections as well and we predict that it’ll be a hot favourite this wedding season.
Bye bye blingWhile every outfit from Sana Safinaz’s collection exuded oomph, we particularly loved this number for espousing the ‘the less is more’ philosophy so beautifully. The striking gold motif on the velvet top takes centre stage while the embellishment-free high-waisted skirt in a gorgeous embossed plum fabric provides a rich backdrop. If you want to stay away from bling this season, here’s the perfect example of how to do it without blending into the background.
Return of the blackThere was time when Pakistani weddings shunned black because of the many superstitions associated with the colour. Luckily, we’ve evolved beyond that and embraced the versatile colour in all its glory. HSY’s Divine Decadence showed us how to make black look festive and unapologetically glam. From jackets to palazzos to dresses, the designer presented a number of exciting variations on how to wear the colour at a desi wedding.
Fifty shades of greyChic and understated, grey made an appearance in a number of collections as the colour of the season. Lovely in all its nuances – from a soft slate to a deeper metallic hue – it looked as regal as the darker shades usually associated with weddings. Sania Maskatiya’s ode to the colour was an intricately embellished crop top and skirt in an elegant dove grey, worn with a delicately printed dupatta to break the monotony.
