June issue 2016

Just a month after Fashion Pakistan Week (FPW), the stage was set for Bridal Couture Week (BCW) in Karachi. A three-day event, it was comparatively smaller than the FPW. And while the regular ‘fashionistas’ who occupy front row seats at most fashion events — and then proceed to do the same on chats on social media about the event — were missing for the most part, the celebrity appearances on the ramp added all the drama needed to make BCW a happening affair.

The launch of the event was not promising. It kicked off with a red carpet sans stars. Then the show started an hour-and-a-half late, much to the irritation of disgruntled attendees. But once it began, it just kept getting better.

Day one showcased, for starters, beautiful outfits by Fahad Hussayn, during which a Hussayn-clad Hadiqa Kayani strutted down the ramp, adding to the allure with a song. Next came a radiant Urwa Hocane, dressed in a heavily embellished lehnga-choli ensemble — one that she clearly found quite difficult to walk in. Her sister, Mawra Hocane, on the other hand, was easier on stage and visibly more confident. Dressed in an ivory outfit by Erum Khan, with flowing tresses and dark red lips, Mawra walked and interacted with the audience with ease. Other celebrity appearances included the cast of the upcoming film Yalghar: Sana Bucha, cricketer Yasir Shah (who looks uncannily like star footballer Lionel Messi — they could have been separated at birth), Iman Ali, Humaima Malick, Ayesha Omar, Humayun Saeed, Wiqar Ali Khan, Javed Shaikh and Nadia Hussain.

Mohsin Naveed Ranja showed clothes for both women and men. Women’s clothing comprised heavily adorned bridals in gold, red and green infusions. Male ensembles consisted of embroidered khussas and turbans, with worked sherwanis. Naushad Imdad’s menswear collection meanwhile, was reminiscent of Indian designer Rohit Bal’s — especially the bird printed blazers. The collection was eclectic, interesting, but not exactly fit for a groom. It would have perhaps done better at a forum such as FPW.

Elan was at its sartorial best at BCW. The brand showcased their designs as part of the Grand Couturiers segment which also included Sania Maskatiya and Umer Sayeed. Elan has its own distinct aesthetic, making it easy to identify it from a mile away. So while some outfits might be familiar, the brand still manages to play with its silhouettes and colour palette, making for a class couture act. However, the most unforgettable outfit was by Amina for Mansoor Akram, modelled by model Sadaf Kanwal. It consisted of a heavily embellished dupatta, plain sleeveless off-white silver choli, and light work on the lehnga. Just beautiful and exuding old-world glamour.

Hairstyles at the show were interesting. Models sported crowns, thorns in their hair, and flowers — the latter not ’70s flower-power love children-esque, rather Spanish flamenco dancer style.

Common threads weaving the three-day event together were music from the Game of Thrones, lots of flared and cigarette pants on the ramp, lehnga-cholis, peplums, low-front, long-back kameezes, and tulip and dhoti shalwars.

BCW was certainly no walk on the wild side, or even anything really new, but there was lots of centrestage sparkle courtesy the star line-up and the elaborate shaadi wear — and with bridal ensembles, how experimental can you really be?