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CATWALKREPORT 2017

Grosvenor House Hotel, London • Photography: Shevy Sandhu

Watch the Official Asiana

Bridal Show video and catwalk shows

online at www.asiana.tv

IN ASSOCIATION WITHCATWALK MAKE-UP

LONDON 2017

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Opening the show with a grand collection for the bride and groom, Monga’s continued to cement their reputation for designing regal weddingwear for couples who adore traditional Indian attire. The first sequence showcased their flair for co-ordinate outfits with beautifully crafted two-piece lengha suits complimented by slick sherwanis for grooms who aspire to look striking yet smart.

The second range consisted of the fashionable, fusion dresses that are synonymous with Monga’s signature style. Standout creations included a structured princess pink bodice, worn with a pretty flared shirt, encrusted with shimmering stonework and a dazzling silver-grey contemporary fishtail dress with pleated statement waistband which has a distinctly futuristic feel.

MONGA’S

KEY TRENDS:

• Concertina waist• Structured flounce• Heart-shaped bodice• Long tasselled sleeves• Off the shoulder styles• Gold embellishing• Grecian plaiting• Dual designs for the bride and groom

ROYAL COURTSHIP A TASTE OF MUGHAL DECADENCE

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ASIANA BRIDAL SHOW

Romance and decadence emerged at the heart of Rashid Malik’s breathtaking 2017 bridal collection for RDC London. Presenting an entire bridal wardrobe with a dazzling array of outfits tailored for your Big Day, RDC had the demands of every glamorous bride covered. Led on stage by a twirling Sufi dancer, the range oozed The Midas Touch with traditional floor-length Pakistani dresses, embellished with rich gold antique embroidery. Round bottomed skirts were a key trend and were seen in a crowd-pleasing silver lengha covered in exquisite floral beading and a light pink ensemble with golden flowers and a long, scalloped edge jacket. Focus of the season was on shape – modest, feminine cuts with full-sleeves is a signature style of Rashid’s. Close-up, each piece was delicately adorned with fine embroidery, sequins, beads and threadwork ensuring each outfit embodied a heritage theme that’s appealing to traditional and contemporary brides.

RDCLONDON

MAJESTICMAGIC

KEY TRENDS:

• Floor-length dresses• Pakistani heritage designs• Wrap around jackets• Antique embroidery• Beaded floral embellishing• Elaborate embroidery• Shimmering sequins• Bell-shaped shirts

MUST-HAVES FOR MODERN MAHARANIS

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This season is all about flashes of colour, showcased by the luxury bridalwear range from Zarkan of London. Presenting a collection featuring classic reds and traditional registry whites, with pops of bold jewel colours like indigo and turquoise; the runway was awash with vibrancy. With fitting being of utmost importance, the 2017 collection featured tailored designs that flattered the figure, while retaining comfort, thanks to the use of layered, light-weight fabrics. As is key to any Zarkan creation, lavish embellishment was seen on all outfits. Popular pieces included a stunning emerald green flared dress worn with a long, metallic skirt. Long sleeves emphasised the timeless nature of the dress which featured rich surface designs using traditional threadwork techniques. Though known for their traditional bridal lenghas, this collection showed Zarkan at its most creative with fresh ideas that maintain their flamboyant brand.

ZARKAN OF LONDON

SHEER OPULENCE

ORNATE & ARTISTIC EMBELLISHED ENSEMBLES

KEY TRENDS:

• Luxury lenghas• Layering• Embellished silks• Ornate stonework• Antique gold threadwork• Centre split• Long jackets• Emerald green

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ASIANA BRIDAL SHOW

High-glamour and fun fashion are signature features of Zeba’ish’ unique, fusion haute-couture and with their 2017 range, Designer Firoza Khan continued to push the boundaries of beautiful bridalwear with dresses that took the audience’s breath away. Captivating the crowds with a grand entrance, a radiant rouge gown opened the contemporary collection. With its layers of rich silk and vintage lace it set the tone for the season with its ‘stand out from the crowd’, red carpet essence. In keeping with a vintage theme, the ‘show-stopper’ dress was a flared, subtle cream coloured silk creation, embellished with extraordinary bead and pearl

work. Floral details were in also full bloom with 3D floral motifs and a red and gold, oriental themed skirt and long jacket combination. In contrast Zeba’ish also showed the appeal of wearing white on your wedding day, especially suited to registry events with a classical ballgown, made from layers of silk and net. Sheer sleeves featured antique pearl embroidery with a high neckline, a trend popular in European wedding dressed. Fusion influences were apparent in the use of French lace teamed with Indian silk fabrics with touches of velvet and satins with two-toned colouring, culminating in a collection that was fresh and fabulous.

ZEBA’ISH LONDON

KEY TRENDS:

• French lace• Vintage beadwork• Statement headdress veil• 3D floral details • Giant embellished motifs• Sheer embroidered sleeves• Wide skirt panels• Rouge and gold SHOW-STOPPING BALLGOWNS

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VINTAGE VOYAGE

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Taking its lead from history, Tehxeeb London’s Dastaan range was inspired by the empresses of yesteryear, adding elegance, and raising the catwalk to majestic heights. Ornately embellished outfits that celebrated traditional shades of red and gold with silver and white options, pieces were accented with shimmering details. Resplendent long dresses and two-piece ensembles graced the stage with the wearable, yet

versatile Pakistani themed fashion that Tehxeeb is so revered for. Quality is key feature of Tehxeeb’s timeless collections and the brand showcased their commitment to creating exquisite designs without compromising on the creation of each garment which included hand-stitching, embroidery and traditional techniques, like those worn and favoured by the original Pakistani princesses. Fabrics were decadent with fine brocades and chiffons, while styling included the presence of cutwork, one of the most popular choices this season. With every outfit telling its own unique story about the heritage of the era is was celebrating, this was a collection that showed there’s more to choosing your bridal wedding wear than simply a design you favour: it’s something that will become part of your own history and legacy.

TEHXEEB LONDON

KEY TRENDS:

• Rich red palette• Brocade• Crystal detailing• Timeless pearls• Chiffon• Cutwork • Oriental styling• Modest cuts

ELEGANT EMPRESS HERITAGE INFUSED WEDDINGWEAR

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ASIANA BRIDAL SHOW

Showcasing the best in fresh, contemporary Asian bridalwear, Europe’s only Asian boutique shopping mall treated the audience to a taste of what they can expect when they head to the East London institution for their wedding shopping. New season looks were unveiled on the ramp by Aariya London, Asian Bridal, Bidaai Bride & Groom, Impressions and Lals; each segment showing the beauty and breadth of what you can find, all under one roof. With outfits for every wedding occasion, there were beautiful, rainbow pastel shaded designer lenghas, ideal for mehndi parties, long, vintage beaded dresses which would be picture perfect for a registry and plush, velvets adorned with traditional goldwork, for the classic traditional ceremony look. Other key pieces included a pretty mint skirt with long jacket embellished with ornate floral motifs and a soft satin pink dress with a sheer silver layer adding a modern twist to traditional looks, giving the impact of heavy embroidery, making it more wearable and comfortable for the modern bride. Offering choice and flexibility, for the bride who is seeking outfits for several events and looking to shop with their friends and family, there was also on-trend partywear.

EAST SHOPPING CENTRE

DESIGNER DREAMS

KEY TRENDS:

• Vibrant palettes• Traditional gold threadwork • Floral motifs• Statement cutwork sleeves• Fancy embellishment• Crystals and stones• Silks and satins• Mint crush

COLOURFUL, CREATIVE COUTURE FOR ALL

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A treasure trove of beautiful, bejewelled creations, Tena Durrani debuted a collection of statement styles that were bold, elegant, timeless and original. Tena’s passion for fashion was evident in the attention to detail, seen in each one of her luxury ensembles. Exquisite full-length dresses featured a majestic colour palette, paying homage to the great Indian palaces, while the patterns embellished into each piece had an architectural flair about them. Detailing included checkerboard style patterns, giant motifs, ornate waistbands and textured embellishing with a collage feel. Emphasis was placed on cut from long v-neck shaped necklines to fitted cropped tops with intricately beaded decorated sleeves and surface designs. Bottoms were grand and feminine with floaty layers and long skirts worn with focal point jackets. Traditional Indian and Pakistani themes were apparent in all the garments through the dramatic use of antique gold, red and silver embroidery. Effortlessly elegant, the charm of Tena’s designs was that each one was different. Though embodying traditional bridalwear elements these were garments that were individual works of art, all equally as alluring as each other.

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TENA DURRANI

PRECIOUS PERFECTION

KEY TRENDS:

• Rich surface designs• Sequin encrusted sleeves• Checkered skirt• Mirrorwork• Fusion flavours• Antique threadwork• Colour pops• Repeat embellishments

RICH AND RAVISHING DETAILS & HANDIWORK

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ASIANA BRIDAL SHOW

Once again show-casing a collection that captures the uniqueness and personality of Indian couturist Sulakshana Monga, this new season collection captured her signature style of vibrant colour palettes and rich fabrics embed with exceptional detailing. Bridalwear for brides who want to make a statement and captivate the room with beauty; every outfit embodied drama and passion. Standout ensembles include a golden,

Grecian, goddess inspired dress with a flattering flared skirt, shaped bodice and on-trend embellished belt, a simple yet striking crimson satin dress styled with a sheer square caplet and the statement lenghas she is revered for, where every skirt tells a story through its resplendent textured embroidery. The vibrant allure of burnt oranges and regal reds are popular palettes for the designer who chooses a shade and then harmonise the details and designs to compliment the overall theme. A shade that works for all cultures and occasions, Sulakshana plays with embellishments in these colours but sometimes surprises by introducing an unexpected twist such as the pops of indigo and lilac pansy flowers on a red and gold lengha skirt and triple toned fabrics which add further interest.

SOLTEE BY SULAKSHANA

MONGA

KEY TRENDS:

• Texture• Floral motifs• Halter-neck• Gold outlines• Flared skirts• Embellished belt• Square capelet• Antique inspirations

FUSION LUXE WHERE ART MEETS BRIDALWEAR

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Celebrated Designer Chand’s modest, time-honoured bridalwear has long appealed to women who adore his ability to create pretty Pakistani inspired bridalwear that instantly transforms an ordinary woman into a queen. Skilled in designing bespoke outfits that truly capture a bride’s sensibilities, each piece is lovingly composed of a flattering cut, fine fabrics,

surface pattern and exquisite embellishing. Chand’s signature palette comprises shades that are subtle yet stylish such as creams, gold and blues and this is how he creates harmony across his collection. Although each creation captures these elements, Chand ensures they are also suitably stylish to appeal to increasingly fashion conscious brides who are aware of currents and what contemporary elements incorporated into their weddingwear. This was apparent in quirky details like tasselled sleeves, cut-out waists and red-carpet gown shaped backs. Other features included the timeless addition of pink and white pearls adding a vintage quality statement sleeves, each one unique enough to appeal to all brides, maintaining a strong sense of heritage, with a modern twist.

KHUSHBOO’S BY CHAND

KEY TRENDS:

• Heavy beading• Statement sleeves• Tassels • Criss-cross cutwork• Velvet panels• Jewel encrusted nets• Pink pearls• Lower backlines

TIMELESS ERA REMIXING CLASSICS IN STYLE

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Flamboyant and fabulous textiles lie at the heart of Khushboo Fabrics who specialise in bridal fabrics, allowing you to create the outfit of your dreams. An emporium of joy, their store is filled with rolls and reams of some of the most exquisite Indian and Pakistani bridal fabrics you’ll see, because each one is designed in-house so you won’t find them anywhere else. For their catwalk collection they showcased some of the fabrics you’ll see in-store Spring/Summer 2017. From opulent velvets to sheer fabrics with metallic weaves, the versatility of Fabric Designer Imran’s collection was showcased in garments created to spark the audience’s imagination with the endless opportunities they have should they wish to have their own outfit designed just for them. Features included Ottoman influences such velvets, tassels and golds; the types of styling associated with Turkish styling. Cutwork fabrics were popular across all collections and made for a perfect base for trousers. Velvet has long been a fabric of choice at Khushboo’s and was demonstrated here, kept simple without embellishing and with embroidery incorporated on. Versatile and appealing, the collection was a mere taste of what you’ can discover in store.

KHUSHBOO’SBESPOKE FABRICS

PURE & SIMPLE

TACTILE TEXTILES TO INSPIRE YOUR DESIRES

KEY TRENDS:

• Cutwork lace• Deep velvets• Paisley motifs• Floral panels• Ottoman influences• Sheer patterns• Statement tassels• Jewel colours

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Keeping traditions alive, Sache mesmerised the audience with a classic bridal and groomswear collection, proving that timeless weddingwear is always in fashion. The show begun with four couples walking arm in arm, showcasing outfits that complimented each other, with levels of design and detail to suit your taste. What defines Designer Asif, is his ability to create impact, without his designs being too overpowering. Simplicity is stylish, and this was demonstrated throughout his 2017 season collection. Modest, yet magnificent, bridalwear cuts consisted of long skirts and full-length sleeves, worn with long tops, jackets and dupattas. For brides who prefer softer shades there were appealing mint green and peach ensembles. A combination that is becoming increasingly popular was the marriage of the darkness of a deep navy, lit up with gold accents which was particularly appealing in a smart and sophisticated sherwani for the grooms and peach gold layered shararah for the bride. A great level of variety and choice was apparent throughout the collection, especially for the groom. From simple one colour sherwanis through to part and full-embellished designs, this was a flavour of what’s in-store at Sache’s Birmingham boutique which is currently celebrating its 15th anniversary: this was the perfect collection to celebrate with.

SACHE BY ASIF

SWEET HARMONY

MAJESTIC ENSEMBLES FOR THE BRIDE & GROOM

KEY TRENDS:

• His N Hers• Majestic ensembles• Cutwork sleeves • Sequin embellishing• Brocade sherwanis• Ruched churidars• Pearlwork • Zardosi embroidery