Pantene Bridal Couture Week 2013(PBCW) which has become one of most eagerly awaited event of fashion and entertainment industry was held at Faletti’s Hotel in Lahore. The fashion show was pioneered by HUM Network Ltd and Pantene four years ago with the objective of promoting Pakistan’s bridal industry and providing a platform for the country’s up-coming and established designers. Over the years the event has established itself as the grandest and biggest fashion event of the country. With every passing year the glamorous event is becoming more disciplined and well-organised under the management of HUM TV Network and Style 360. The event was more than just ramp walk and the showcase of designers’ dresses. The audiences were enthralled to see the performances by singers.

The three-day event comprising six shows in all gave the feeling of some grand wedding. There were 24 designers who participated in PBCW this year. The famous designers who showcased their bridal collection three-day event are: Aisha Imran, Ali Xeeshan, Ammar Shahid, Arslan Iqbal, Asifa & Nabeel, Ayesha & Somaya, Bina Sultan, Deepak Perwani, Erum Khan, Fahad Hussayn, Hajra Hayat, Hassan Shehryar Yasin, Hina Butt, Humyun Almagir, Maria B, Mehdi, Nida Azwer, Omer Farooq, Rani Emaan, Saira Rizwan, Samreen Vance, Shazia Kiyani, Uzma Baber, Zahid Khan and Zainab Chottani.

The collection of all the designers showed a lot of diversity with cuts and colours. Their collections were rich in colours, elegant in styles and classy in looks. What appeared different this year in most of the designers’ bridal collection was the trend of long flowing robes like the ones worn by brides in Middle East and the West. This trend is catching up in Pakistan as well. The designers have introduced it in eastern style which was really amazing. Designers showcased the formal dresses of three days of wedding – Mahdi, Wedding and Walima. The brocade and net gowns which were showcased were beautiful. Long-trailed red lehnga with stones and gems adorned at the border was a delight to look at and would prove to be hit for Erum’s collection for sure, both locally and internationally. Former supermodel Iman Ali walked the ramp for Erum Khan, looking dazzling in a peach dress. The collection of different designers were rich in colour and bold with cuts, however remained Eastern and traditional at the same time.

There were 26 female models and 15 male models from across the country who took part this year. Besides, there were four international female models. The local female models include Areeba Habib, Amna Baber, Cybil Chaudhry, Eshal, Fauzia Aman, Faiza Ansari, Gia Ali, Iraj, Maha, Mahrosh, Nadia Hussain, Nadia Ali, Nadia Malik, Neha Ahmed, Nooray Bhatty, Racheal, Rabab, Rubab, Rubya Chaudhry, Sadaf Khan, Saima Azhar, Sabeena Pasha, Sana Sarfaraz, Sadaf Kanwal, Sidra Imran and Sabika. The international models were Dora, Elyse, Irina and Natalie.

PBCW as usual mesmerized the participants as they witnessed a change in the already impressive sets, with fresh flowers arranged around chandeliers with candles hanging down from them, additions in the backdrop and motifs on the catwalk.

Expressing her delight at the success of PBCW Sultana Siddiqui, president of HUM Network Ltd said “It was my dream to give our designers unprecedented mileage both at home and abroad and I am thrilled that through our Network which is viewed all over the world, we have achieved our targets.”

Sharing his thoughts on the event, Omeir Dawoodji, Senior Communications Manager for P&G Pakistan said: “Pantene Bridal Couture Week by Style360 has emerged as one of Pakistan’s iconic fashion events and we are proud to be associated with it. This platform is not just a means for us to show our support for the booming fashion industry of Pakistan, but it also provides us with an opportunity to build strong, meaningful connections with women across Pakistan.”

The bridal couture week was choreographed by Hassan Shehryar Yasin while make-up for the event was done by Saba Ansari of Sabs Salon, who is one of the most respected names in the fashion industry.

Fahad Hussayn

Fahad Hussayn showcased his collection ‘Bloodline’. He worked with colours like pastels like ivory, off whites and gold to bold and playful colours like pinks, maroons and bronze etc. His off-white, self-embossed collection and champagne ensembles accompanied by bright kurtas for males and off-set by worked patkas were highly appreciated. The inspiration of his collection was Rajhastani culture. His outfits were purely traditional but trendy looks, which are kept close to our cultural heritage. But as usual, Fahad stayed true to himself by playing original in his collection.

Hajra Hayat

The name of Hajra Hayat’s collection was ‘Hajra Hayat Gold’. In her collection she has tried to bring feminine looks because she took the inspiration of her collection from the Mughal era of Shahjehan times when dupattas were really long. Her colour combinations and cuts all seemed to be very well-crafted and well-designed.

Deepak Perwani

Deepak Perwani’s stunning collection was boasting beautiful combinations and intricate embroidery. He followed classic cuts with new variations in his showcased collection ‘Iznik’. In his designs he inspired Central Asian trends and customised those with Pakistani trends. He used deep maroon, flamed red, mud gold, midnight blue & rust colour to beautify his collection for brides. Maheen Khan wore his show-stopper jacket over a black suit.

Ayesha Somaya

The immensely captivating collection of Ayesha Somaya made everyone surprise. In their collection ‘Kalamkaar’ they took inspiration from gone by days when art of kalamkaari was common. They used dynamic shades of ivory, gold, rusts, orange, olive and red to make their dresses attractive. The skinny pants with accentuating poncho shirts caught eyes of the audiences, with a collection that made up for a very stylish line.

Zainab Chottani

Zainab Chottani wowed the audience with HSY as her main model looking gorgeous in a black sherwani. Her collection ‘Rung o Raag’ was inspired from Mughal courts, their costumes of darbars and also from their music and art. The dresses like Shararas, angarkha, pishwas, long jackets and gowns were blended with today’s modern touch. The colours she picked were also true to the Mughal era, starting from the royal gold to ruby red, emerald green and blacks. Her fusion collection was elegant and has attraction for every bride and bridegroom who love fashion.

Erum Khan

No one can stop himself from raving the bridal collection of Erum Khan which was rich in colours and elegant in style. In her collection ‘Rabail’ the trends she followed vastly were gore, pitta, girah, nakti and mukesh. The net georgette duppatas were beautifu and caught the eyes of most of the audience. The brocade and net gowns were also beautiful. Former supermodel Iman Ali walked the ramp for Erum Khan. Actor Hamza Ali Abbasi and musician Fahad Rehman were the showstopper for the designer which received much applause from the audience.

Humayun Alamgir

Humayun Alamgir, a Karachi-based designer, showcased his men’s wear line ‘Suhaag’. The trend which he showcased with his collection was contemporary embroideries on vintage fabric. His collection was very elegant and perfect for a modern day bridegroom. He used a variety of colours of velvet and khaddars drape. Musicians Uzair Jaswal and Nouman Javaid and sportsman Shoaib Malik were his showstoppers and were wearing sherwanis, velvet short coats with complementing shoes in his collection.

Kuki Concepts

Kuki’s collection ‘Mah-e-Nau’ was appreciated a lot by the audience. In his collection he took inspiration from moon and used multicoloured nauratan, garnate, crimson, dull gold, emerald and ivory. The fabrics which he used spoke volumes of the texture’s richness with georgette lehngas being the favourite. His collection must be hit in all the modern brides.

Mehdi

Mehdi evoked the images of cutting –edge contemporary style coloured with shades of tradition and culture. He tests the boundary of his creation, be it in his casuals or formals, couture or prêt-a-porter. His designs combine the elegance and sophistication of yesterday or dynamism and funk of today to produce a unique vision of tomorrow. Mehdi’s clothes are the embodiment of today’s woman, who desires to be all she can be. His powerful ode to femininity will leave no doubt in the minds of fashion fraternity that Mehdi is one of the most important and exciting names in the world of fashion. His collection was classy and had a cohesive appeal.

Hassan Shehryar Yasin

HSY’s collection ‘Nightingale’ was inspired from the life and legacy of music legend Tahira Syed, who was also his backdrop singer and showstopper. The collection was cohesive, rich in texture and very impressive throughout. People loved the block print gowns and sherwanis.