The 18th 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 February 4, 2021. Organized under the banner of Pakistan’s numero uno entertainment network HUM Network Limited launched in 2010, the huge format event is the most opulent and highest profile bridal show in Pakistan. It leads the bridal fashion industry with its creative influence and has been strategically repositioning Pakistani bridal fashion in the global fashion economy for the last ten years.
The event showcases latest trends and designs in bridal couture by leading as well as emerging fashion designers of the country. It has become the most aspired presentation for Pakistan’s top designers, couture lovers, influential individuals, buyers, celebrities, socialites, and legacy brands. This year, with Pantene as its title sponsor, PHBCW will be showcasing 35 designers on the runway.
Show one of the bridal extravaganza kicked off with a special hair show by Pantene where the brand unveiled their new bottle. Models sashayed down the ramp showing off their shiny, bouncy, healthy hair adding more glamour to the Pantene Bridal Couture Week with their more open hair days campaign.
Film actor and brand ambassador of Pantene Maya Ali also walked the ramp. Fahad Hussayn presented an avant-garde collection of custom made woven Banarsi bridal dresses with Sao Banjara – The Couture Edit, followed by Uniworth Dress Co.’s groom collection The Luxe Edit celebrating the brands 25th Anniversary.
Next, Nauman & Bhaiya debuted with their bright lehngas and cholis in hues of scarlet with their collection Gurya, followed by Alishba and Nabeel’s Sakhiyaan, an ode to the bridesmaids who bring life, joy, colour and lifelong memories to the weddings.
Next in line was Naushad Imdad’s Subh e Nau (The Way Forward) inspired by Pak-western culture, using hand paint art and hand embroidery together in menswear for the first time in Pakistan followed by Haris Shakeel with his collection Ghazal which drew its inspiration from the colours of poetry.
Madeeha Shoaib was next with her signature collection ‘The Enchanted Island’ inspired by marine life, encapsulating the true essence of haute couture. The day came to end with Munib Nawaz’s
collection Sakal Ban which paid tribute to Ameer Khusro’s famous poem Sakal Ban. The collection reinvented the moments of love and loss from the famous poem into creations that celebrated love, joy and all things passionate. The collection presented love, joy and passion in the words of Amir Khusro.
Day one of the three-day bridal extravaganza had an amazing line-up of celebrities walking for the designers – Ushna Shah closed the show for Fahad Hussayn, the father son duo Nauman Ijaz and Zaviyar Ijaz showstopped for Uniworth Dress & Co., the gorgeous Nimra Khan walked the ramp for Nauman & Bhaiya, Affan Waheed and Hira Mani graced the ramp for Alishba & Nabeel, Saboor Aly showstopped for Haris Shakeel, the debonair Salman Saeed walked the ramp for Naushad Imdad. The gorgeous Sarah Khan and Falak Shabbir added grandeur to Madeeha Shoaib’s collection and last but not least Usman Mukhtar showstopped for Munib Nawaz.
Hair and makeup for the show is done by N-Pro and N-Gents. All public relations operations and media liaison is being carried out by the in-house team of HUM Network Limited in collaboration with Moiz Kazmi and his team at MK Digital PR, along with show production, direction, choreography and execution by the Special Projects &Events team at HUM Network Limited.
Sultana Siddiqui – President HUM Network Limited
It gives me great pride to see how the Bridal Couture Week has evolved over the past decade and though the Covid pandemic has brought such activities to a standstill, we are presenting the show with all the SOPs intact, to bring normalcy to everyday life. HBCW has become a benchmark of bridal fashion season, a platform where emerging designers get an opportunity to showcase alongside their illustrious peers. Apart from that the exposure given to all participants via HUM Network’s global reach, the response that the designers receive is unsurpassed thus making it not only a platform for creative expression but also a highly viable one from a business standpoint.
SPONSORS’ ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The 18th edition of the country’s biggest bridal extravaganza is presented by Pantene, powered by Telenor, Hygiene Partner Hemani Herbal, Fragrance Partner J., Radio Partner City FM 89, Food Partner Food Panda andBeverage Partner is Nestle Pure Life Active.
ABOUT THE DESIGNERS’ INSPIRATIONS
Fahad Hussayn
Sao Banjara- The Couture Edit
FahadHussayn brings to stage an avant-garde collection of custom made woven Banarsi bridal dresses, Alta Moda Silk bridals along with his signature haute couture bridals. The collection, Sao Banjara is an interdisciplinary bridge of the world of performance art with fashion in a suspenseful entwine of heirloom luxury, accomplished with intricate silk thread embroideries interwoven with delicate handwork of exquisite craftsmanship on exclusive surfaces, alongside in-house hand-painted and vintage revival prints. It features exclusive one-off cuts, hues and designs with majestic detailing that combine the best elements from the world of art and architecture.
Nauman And Bhaiya -(Gurya) گڑیا
Nauman and Bhaiya’s debut BCW collection is a combination of artful scarlet hued lehengas that celebrate traditional crafts by combining voguish floral motifs, complementing the conventional energetic design of a lehenga. Bringing the 90s’ era in the ethereal sense of design, the foil silk lehengas highlighted in zari and bugle beads reflect the brand’s commitment to a traditional style with contemporary designs.
Alishba & Nabeel – Sakhiyan
‘Sakhiyan’ is a tribute to all the bridesmaids who add beautiful colours, appealing styles and memories to a wedding. The collection evokes wide and diversified images of our cultural and traditional craftsmanship, keeping in mind the distinct sense of style perfect for every bridesmaid. The collection also introduces ‘Lakhnavi Tanka’ inspired from exotic and indigenous Lakhnavi art, infused with modern silhouettes. Sakhiyan is designed for modern-day brides and bridesmaids, keeping in mind the emerging trend of intimate weddings.
Day 1: Show 2
Haris Shakeel – Ghazal
Ghazal is a type of poetry telling through colours. Ghazal will take you to old world charm with some stunning colours which represents festivities of our culture. The collection has various techniques that include Gotawork,HarisShakeel signature BlockprintDesign.
NaushadImdad – Subh-e-Nau – The Way Forward
NaushadImdad’sSubh-e-nau is inspired by Pak-western culture and is designed for the 21st century men. The brand brings for the first time in Pakistan, the hand paint art and hand embroidery together in menswear.
Madeeha Shoaib – The Enchanted Island
MadeehaShoaib believes in reviving traditional embroidery craftsmanship by introducing contemporary aesthetics and techniques. After showcasing her work internationally, she is now unveiling her signature collection, ‘The Enchanted Island’ for the first time in Pakistan. This collection is inspired by marine life and encapsulates the true essence of haute couture.
Munib Nawaz – Sakal Ban
Munib Nawaz’s BCW collection pays tribute to Ameer Khusro’s famous poem Sakal Ban. The collection is based on reinventing the moments of love and loss from the famous poem into pieces that celebrate love, joy and all things passionate. The collection presents love, joy and passion from the words of Amir Khusro.
