Unable to attend the PFDC L’Oreal Paris Bridal Week 2014 in person due to personal reasons, I resorted to live streaming the event from the comfort of my bedroom couch. Thank heavens for technology. It’s not the same thing; there’s no way I would critique clothes and collections in detail without doing them the justice of close observation. But impressions can be made, about the collections, the showings and the event.
Divine Decadence by HSY
The show got a strong kick-off with a Divine Decadence collection by HSY that was very smart. The face accessories may have been dark ala Fahad Hussayn but the collection easily took the attention away from the dramatic ornamentation to the modern fluidity of the first segment. It eased into the second segment, which was more conventional with its reds and golds but impressive nonetheless. Like I said last night, HSY’s best to date.
Ara-Ornaments by Sania Maskatiya
Sania Maskatiya showcased a delicate, almost fantasy palette of wispy pinks and peaches. It was impossible to observe the details of the collection on the sub standard live stream but while the impact of the collection was extremely pretty, it did seem like Sania curbed the edge on this one. She went all out on experimentation last year and settled down to conventional beauty this time. That said, the ensembles were dreamy and will definitely fly off with ease.
Meena Maniratna by Asifa Nabeel
The extended break after two showings was a pain but not more painful than Asifa Nabeel’s obsolete ode to Meena Kumari. It was all same old, same old silhouettes, palettes and looks as every year. It would be difficult, even for me, to distinguish one collection by Asifa Nabeel from the other, if challenged. That said, there were a couple of outfits that made ‘regular’ look interesting and one half-sari, in particular, appeared pleasantly regal.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Saira Shakira
Design duo Saira Shakira, however, who made a debut at the PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week earlier this year, took risks with wedding wear and it was refreshing. The peekaboo capes and unconventional colour combinations really set off the collection. Again, I can’t say much for the craftsmanship (and that does play a heavy part in bridal couture) but I liked the edgy luxury of what I saw.
The Lotus Raj Collection by Karma
Karma’s opening segment was beautiful; perhaps the hip beats of Bollywood provided an extra kick in lifting the vibe. Karma’s pace did dip every now and then, preventing it from soaring even under commercial standards but this was a Karma collection, meant to retain signature trends for easy, fun wedding wear without getting into the artistry or complications of cutting edge.
Photography by Faisal Farooqui @ Dragonfly
