Karachi, April 22: Style360 Bridal Couture Week organized by Style360 and sponsored by Pantene, in association with J&S, took off in a magnificent way, opening much to everyone’s amazement with a designer that everyone had been expecting would culminate the three-day show – the famous Indian designer J.J.Valaya.
– JJ Valaya
India’s premier fashion designer, JJ Valaya has earned a name that fascinates the world, all over. JJ Valaya is referred to as the ‘Monarch of Indian Fashion’. He was the first designer to host a solo fashion show in India. His splendid collection of hand embroideries and exquisite bridal trousseau are a rage in the fashion world globally.
His effort to create timeless attires, with dollops of contemporary classicism clinging onto it, has a fresh look and is distinct from all the other designer wear. JJ Valaya is also regarded as the trend setter of the fashion fraternity.
His label that was established almost three decades earlier still has strong grip of the market and excels in wedding attires and evening wears, for both men and women. JJ Valaya today conjures up images of Indian Royalty treated in a contemporary individual style. He stands as one of the most respected names in Indian Fashion industry.
With the tone set with this superb designer’s ensembles, the packed hall was treated to yet another surprise – a dance performance by the troupe of BodyBeat, lending a truly wedding ‘hungama’ touch to the show. Marking the end of this first segment was no other than our indigenous Neelo Allahwala.
– Neelo Allawala
Starting in the 1980s when Pakistani couture was still evolving, Neelo Allawala has been one of the pioneers of high fashion clothing in Karachi. Designing elegant, heavily embellished outfits, she focuses mostly on hand-embroidered formal wear with unique designs that are tailored according to each client’s needs.
The eclectic collection that Neelo exhibited here today is a tribute to the sub-continent’s rich cultural and geographic heritage.
It began with a collection of chiffon and silk prints depicting scenes inspired by Mughal miniature art of the 17th and 18th centuries. Following the Mughal prints was an evening wear collection in a ubiquitous black lace, a necessity for every woman’s wardrobe. We were then transported into a world of exquisite jamawars, silks and laces with crisp snowy whites and soft hues of ivory blended with the stark brown. Nearing the end, Neelo brought in a luscious palate intermingled with the arid browns of the Cholistan and Thar deserts to create a magnificent finale.
Segment 2 of Day was opened by the inimitable Maheen Khan.
– Maheen Khan
Maheen Khan is one of the pioneers of fashion industry in Pakistan.
Her career spans over thirty five years. In her long career she has done countless shows both locally and internationally. Maheen gets inspired by anything that catches her fancy. Her clothes exude confidence, style and elegance and are for the complete woman. Creative and talented, Maheen revolutionized fashion. She is a trendsetter, respected and admired by her co-workers. Maheen has won many awards in the best designer category such as the Style Icon Award, Lux Style Award and the Benazir Women Excellence Award.
Tonight, Maheen Khan presented her signature lace and chiffon collection, ‘madamoiselle dentelle’.an elegant, timeless bridal collection of lace, chiffon and satin, with intricate detail that would make any woman feel sophisticated, royal yet edgy.
Aisha and Somaiya came in next.
Aisha and Somaiya
Ayesha Sohail and Somaya Adnan launched their brand “Ayesha-Somaya” in 2008. Their signature has since evolved as a combination of detail, luxury and tailoring. They strongly believe that when it comes to fashion, it’s not just about smart clothing but all about grooming your personality as a whole. They both come from a textile-oriented background; Somaya creates couture and Ayesha joins in for cocktail, luxury pret and smart casuals. Ayesha–Somaya’s work is constantly evolving within an aesthetic which is sophisticated both in the eastern and western sense. Karachi, Lahore and Dubai are some of the places that the brand Ayesha–Somaya has been exhibiting at. Their clientele includes celebrities across Pakistan, U.A.E and USA.
The talented Rehana Saigol closed the evening.
– Rehana Saigol
Rehana and Shakil Saigol started to design and manufactured stunning, individualized modern pieces of jewellery nearly 30 years ago. To them goes the credit of helping women to learn to express themselves and to identify pieces that suit their lifestyle.
Rehana brings the same aesthetic to the designing of her couture line of saris and bridals. As she says, “Style over fashion, any day. Fashion goes in and out, but style is enduring.” Also to her the prime objective of wearing designer apparel should be to look different. In her words, “To look like everyone else is death!”
While Hasan Rizvi’s troupe of BodyBeat entertained the audiences on the first and last days so that there were no uncomfortably long pauses after showings, Rabya Chaudhry was the surprise element on the first and second days, performing for the first time, and that too on a catwalk, to Hasan Rizvi’s choreography.
The impressive line-up of 48 models included both local and international divas. Renowned names like Iraj, Nadiya Hussain, Rabya Chaudhry, Tooba Siddiqui, Zeeshan Shafi and Abrar Khan among many others represented Karachi, while Ayaan, Cybil, Neha, Nadia Ali, Rabia Butt and Iffi among many more represented Lahore. Dubai models included Sandy, Diana, Daria and Fifi among others.
The stylists on the three days were Sabs (on day 1 and day 3) and Ruqqaya and Depilex on day 2. The show was produced and choreographed by Vaneeza Ahmed while Tapu Javeri provided the music. Over 40 stalls dealing with bridal-related products and services including giveaways, jewellery, clothes, shoes, salons, honeymoon packages and hotels filled the exhibition hall and were viewed by thousands of people who came everyday to visit these stalls and see the shows.
This was the second Bridal Couture Week to be organized by Style360 – the first was held in November in Lahore. The next event is scheduled for September this year in either Lahore or Islamabad.
