The 18th edition of bridal extravaganza, Pantene HUM Bridal Couture Week (PHBCW) revealed its activities here in Lahore on February 4, 2021. Organized under the banner of Pakistan’s leading entertainment platform- HUM TV Network Limited, the event already took a brave step by holding the first major fashion/bridal week post COVID-19! The event plans to showcase 35 designer and brands in three days!
This time choosing Pearl Continental Hotel Lahore as their venue made our expectations from the set and the ramp higher but sadly our anticipations did not meet the reality when we saw the same old royal feels with big windows and pastel flowery wallpapers to the set and a plain ramp! However, the organizers made sure that all the SOPs were being followed. There was proper social distancing between the chairs; masks were being worn throughout, the venue was sanitized after each display, hand sanitizers were placed at numerous spots and people were regularly reminded of following all the precautionary measures.
Day one had a line up of 8 designers. The highlight of the first day was ‘bad fittings!’ - creating a dual impression that bad fittings were a result of no trials due to COVID 19, however at the same time showing lack of professionalism on designers’ part that whatever measurements were given by the models, the attires were not stitched according to those! We all will be seeing a lot of memes made on show stoppers and models now!
Witnessing the collections, here is what I think about the display of day one.
FAHAD HUSSYN
The talented designer made a comeback with a bang (minus the fittings) and played well with colours and motifs on his collection named as ‘Sao Banjara-The Couture Edit.’ It was overall a satisfactory collection for the upcoming bridal season. Ushna Shah (who looked a little unhappy over the fittings may be!) was the showstopper and pulled it well for the pictures eventually!
UNIWORTH DRESS CO.
Uniworth gets a stamp of approval from us with a display of balanced shimmer to their eastern as well as western dressing in their new collection named as ‘Luxe Desire’ at the Bridal Week. Shimmer surely adds chichi as well as royal vibes to men’s formal attires.
NOMAN and BHAYYA
Strange patterns mixed with very loud colours (and ofcourse ill fittings!) plus models having dolls (as their collection is called ‘Guriya’) in their hands were too much to bear.
ALISHBA AND NABEEL
They played safe with beautiful colours including pastels, whites and some bright hues too. The collection ‘Sakhiyan’ was a pretty spread of colours on the ramp and Hira Mani and Affan Waheed’s dramatic entry made it more interesting.
NAUSHAD IMDAD
The collection ‘Subh-e-Nau-The Way Forward’ was too shimmery with some peculiar cuts that would not be easier for majority of men to carry.
HARIS SHAKEEL
Amalgamation of lovely colours and motifs- HarisShakeel’s collection ‘Ishq’ was a something really good to look at. Keep up the good work Haris!
MADEEHA SHOAIB
Apart from Sarah Khan and Falak Shabbir’s romance on stage, we observed ill fittings to their peak! The collection ‘The Enchanted Island’ could have been a wonder if some blunders with some cuts and coloursweren’t made.
MUNIB NAWAZ
Keeping his collection ‘Saka Ban’ true to its name and newness, Munib made sure that sherwanis don’t always have to be plain and boring. The designer also played well with neons and whites so the collection had something for everyone.
