LAHORE: Day Two of the ongoing PFDC L’Oreal Paris Bridal Week 2015 featured the trousseau collections of grand couturiers Sana Safinaz, Fahad Hussayn, Nickie Nina and The House of Kamir Rokni along with a capsule collection of two promising designers Sana Yasir and Mahgul nurtured by the Pakistan Fashion Design Council.

Sana Safinaz opened with the elegance of gold on a black lehnga followed by embroidered floral patterns on metal work and juxtaposing vintage fabric prints in understated elegance and exotic detailing in mix and match and a fusion of styles to create heirloom classic pieces. There were flora and fauna pieces on matte gold on mute tones that no doubt gave the solid impression of value for money.

Fahad Hussayn’s Matam saw antique gold on earth tones on tissue fabric and colourful intricate panels and rangoli patterns on dupattas. It was a far cry from the designer usually known for his dark and mysterious creations in what was a brazen and blatant display of creativity and variation as a master craftsman. It was all played out to a brilliant performance by Ali Sethi who recently made his debut in Coke Studio.

Designer duo Nickie Nina played it safe with a salable collection featuring lively tones and fusing beige tones with the colour red and jhoomer patterns and motifs.

Misha Lakhani showed kaftan-inspired shirts while employing the liberal use of fabrics such as net, jamawar, kamkhwab, etc in classic Eastern silhouettes and cuts. Fish scale patterns, effigies of dancing girls as motifs and pink-on-pink numbers were prominent.

Suffuse by Sana Yasir and Mahgul were two segments which showcased capsule collections by upcoming promising bridal designers nurtured by the Pakistan Fashion Design Council. Sara Haider of Coke Studio fame opened the act for Mahgul with her cover of Ae Dil Kisi Ki Yaad Mein.

The House of Kamiar Rokni boasted funky bridals in a fun and frisky use of colour featuring images of Oriental Geishas, unlike anything seen so far on the PFDC bridal ramp. Exotic detailing, structured and slim, the collection is for the bride who dares to be different and is not scared to try out something new on her big day to stand out from the rest. And when Kamiar did go for the traditional bridal lehnga, he did so on his own terms with peacock feather borders in stand alone pieces as well as full outfits. Cheenta kaam, a play with patterns, candy pink and red with paisley motifs gave a taste of the exotic and sensual, a kaleidoscopic imagery in a full and vibrant colour spectrum here. A fitting finale to Day Two indeed.

Day Three will feature Shamaeel Ansari, Nomi Ansari, Saira Shakira, Ammara Khan, Asifa & Nabeel and HSY.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2015

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