The 19th edition of the country’s biggest and most sought-after bridal extravaganza, Pantene HUM Bridal Couture Week (PHBCW) unveiled its red carpet here in the City of Gardens on December 10, 2021. Organized under the banner of Pakistan’s premier entertainment network HUM Network Limited, this large format show is the most opulent and highest profile bridal event in Pakistan. It leads the bridal fashion industry through creative influence and has been strategically repositioning Pakistani bridal fashion in the global fashion economy for over a decade. The event showcases latest trends and designs in bridal couture by leading as well as emerging fashion designers of the country.
Show one of the bridal extravaganza kicked off with Saira Rizwan’s collection Illiana Fall Couture 2021 bespoke bridal collection, followed by Diners’ glamourous luxe collection for the groom of today. Next in line was Haris Shakeel with his collection Ghazal which draws its inspiration from the colours of our festivities, followed by Uniworth’s The Gentleman’s League which pays homage to the modern-day self-made man. Alishba & Nabeel came next with their collection Lavyana that exudes modern glamour and timeless sophistication.
Day one show two, started off with Rici Melion East’s Bachpan Ka Khawab which was an ode to everyone’s childhood memories using dying art of ethnic embroideries like mukesh, tilla twisted dori, and chapta sitara. FAS Design Studio showcased next Manzil-e-Shauq featuring extraordinary wedding ensembles with subtle details elevating luxury embellishments. Almirah followed with its sixteen pieces which beautifully amalgamated the versatile and contrasting design movements of East and West. Nextin line was Abeera Usman’s Mirhaa sweet melody of silver and gold hues. Day one came to an end with the House of Arsalan Iqbal’s latest festive collection Tahayyur e Ishq .
Saira Rizwan Collection: Illiana Fall Couture 2021
Saira Rizwan’s collection is inspired by impressionist observations. The collection is a bespoke version of her perception of nature’s unspoken imperatives of taste and conscience through the silhouettes. The collection has a diverse colour palette including soothing pastels and fierce bolds. The collection features the brand’s signature tone-on-tone embroideries and beadwork, embellished formal dresses and gowns adorned with sequins, beads, gold and silver threads. The power house actor Sonya Hussayn walked for Saira Rizwan.
Diners
Diners’ glamorous luxury collection for PHBCW is based on rich colour palette, using verses as embellishments to adorn classic eastern wear with smattering of smart sherwanis, waistcoats and short jackets. The pieces are accessorized with shawls and turbans. The fabrics used in the collection are rich jamawar, raw silk and overall embroidered fabrics.
Haris Shakeel Collection: Ghazal
Haris Shakeel’s PHBCW Collection Ghazal takes you to the old-world charm with its stunning colours representing the festivities of our culture. The collection utilizes techniques such as gota work and Haris Shakeel’s signature block print design. Nimra Khan walked for budding designer Haris Shakeel.
Uniworth Collection: The Gentleman’s League
Uniworth’s collection pays tribute to the modern-day self-made men. For fifty years, Uniworth has been defining fashion rules with timeless yet modern attire. Gentleman by Uniworth presents a fusion of iconic classics with an array of ultimate elegance and unmatched sophistication. The collection features a wide range of formal and ethnic statement pieces that are bound to boost the confidence of the wearer. The veteran actor Saleem Sheikh and singer Bilal Khan walked the ramp for Uniworth.
Alishba & Nabeel: Lavyana
Lavyana is a vision of embroidered feminity and a celebration of colour that exudes modern glamour and timeless sophistication. The collection is focused on traditional craftsmanship which is aesthetically pleasing with a modern feminine edge. Mansha Pasha and Junaid Khan walked for Alishba & Nabeel.
Rici Melion East: Bachpan Ka Khawab
The collection is an ode to everyone’s childhood and the memories that stay with us for the rest of our lives. It is an amalgamation of old age craftsmanship, a breathtaking colour palette and meticulous attention to details. The key features of this collection include distinct fabrics which are hand embellished with tilla twisted dori, sheesha, mukesh, gotta, resham, kashtiyaan, cut daana and chapta sitara. Each and every silhouette from this collection is designed to pay homage to the brand’s quintessential craftsmanship and local artisan as it depicts the rich presentation of artisanship through pattern and colour. The collection is inspirated by South Asian heritage, old school techniques and fabrications. Pakistan’s favourite str Mawra Hocane and the petite doe-eyed Noor Zafar Khan show-stopped for Rici Melion.
FAS Design Studio: Manzil-e-shauq
FAS Design Studio’s Manzil-e-shauq is inspired by the journey of couture mania and pays homage to the modern-day bride and groom who know exactly what they want on their big day. The collection features bridal lehnga choli, maxi, groom sherwani and waistcoats with a vibrant colour palette of maroon, pomegranate, gold, peaches and lavender. Manzil e Shauq is an ethereal voyage featuring extraordinary wedding ensembles with sequins, refined craftsmanship and subtle details elevated by luxury embellishments. Minal Khan and Ehtesham (singer) graced the ramp for FAS Desgin Studio.
Almirah
Featuring 16 diverse pieces, Almirah’s collection for PHBCW 2021 is an amalgamation of the versatile and contrasting design movements of East and West. The collection is inspired by the Baroque art movement of Europe an and Mughal Art of the subcontinent Each article features the intricacy and organic feel of the Mughal aestheticism elevated by the grandeur and magnificence of the Baroque aesthetic style. Subtle floral motifs are blended with bold and ornamental motifs and are designed on modern cuts to create a collection that fits the requirement of a modern day. The palette consists of golden hues with rich browns and deep blacks contrasted by accents like maroons and blues to break the monotony.
The fabrics used are sheer, lightweight, and textured to bring airiness into the pieces and break away from stiffness of the structure. Further texture is added to the garments through the use of embroideries. Each garment intentionally employs two to three different types of fabrics as a play of textures.
The collection showcases everything from formal kurtas, waistcoats, prince coats, and sherwanis.
The uber talented Bilal Abbas Khan walked down the ramp for Almirah
Abeera Usman: Mirha
Abeera Usman’s collection Mirha is a sweet melody of silver and gold hues adorned with intricate details, enchanting patterns and elegant silhouettes. This magical collection focuses on detailed and exquisite handwork, flourish fabrics and ornament motifs that really add uniqueness to this collection. Ramsha Khan walked for Abeera Usman.
House of Arsalan Iqbal: Tahayyur e Ishq
The House of Arsalan Iqbal presents the new festive collection ‘Tahayyur-e-Ishq’ for Bridal Couture Week 2021. The collection embodies the essence of wonderment in love and ordinary and simple things turning into the fantastical elements of allure. The collection features the brand’s signature embroidery techniques over extravagantly rich handwoven fabrics. Tahayyur-e-Ishq comprises voluminous skirts with peplum styled blouse or crop styled waistcoats, accentuated with lightweight dupattas and shawls, slim fitted sherwanis and dinner jackets paired with Shalwar Kameez and Shawls.
The choreographer for PHBCW 2021 is Salwa Rafique and HUM Special Projects and Events Team, while hair and makeup is by NPro and NGents. The red-carpet hosts for PHBCW 21 are Armala Hasan and Hira Tareen. Arsalan Ihsan is the emcee for the event and DJ Moazzam presented the music for the shows. Backstage is managed by Salwa Rafique and her team in lieu with the team at HUM Special Projects and Ahsan Qureshy is the official photographer. All public relations operations and media liaison are carried out by Moiz Kazmi and his team at MK Digital PR and the in-house PR team of HUM Network Limited along with show production and execution by the Special Projects and Events team at HUM Network Limited.
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