The 17th 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 6, 2019. Organized under the banner of Pakistan’s numero uno entertainment network HUM Network Limited, launched in 2010 the Bridal Couture Week (HBCW), the large format event which 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 the last nine 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 29 designers on the runway.
Show one of the bridal extravaganza kicked off with Fahad Hussayn’s collection Labyagawachi trousseau bridal collection, followed by Aisha Imran’s Shadi Mubarik in romantic hues for the charismatic classic bride. Next in line was Almirah with its collection Ethnic Seams which drew its inspiration from the splendour and intimacy of Eastern art, followed by Samsara Couture House’s Hayal, inspired by the tulip era in the Turkish Ottoman empire. Zonia Anwaar came next with her modern collection Zoella infused with traditional techniques with her signature cuts for the young millennial brides.
Pantene unveiled its new bottle at PHBCW’19 on the ramp at the end of a dazzling hair show where the models flaunted inspiring hairstyles alongside a mesmerizing performance by Maria Unera. The new Pantene advanced hair fall solution reduces hair fall in just 14 days making one enjoy more open hair days without worrying about hair fall. This segment was followed by Ziggi Menswear’s monochromatic collection Fana – ‘Annihilation of the Self’ which was created using luxe fabrics, rich embroideries and motifs inspired from Sufism.
Nitasha Bilal Haute Couture showcased Abooro incorporating the beautiful Mughal legacy and blending her presentation with revivalist techniques of kora dabka. She was awarded the Pantene Rising Star for her beautiful debut collection. Haris Shakeel was next who amalgamated embroideries with block and screen printing in his collection Ishq. Up next was Royal Tag’s very aristocratic menswear collection The Royal Ceremony, inspired by the majestic Syon House and Garden in London. Day one came to an end with globally acclaimed master couturier Nilofer Shahid’s collection Dastaan e Firdaus.
Day one of the three-day bridal extravaganza had an amazing line-up of celebrities walking for the designers – the bhangra king Abrar Ul Haq walked for Fahad Hussayn and Minal Khan walked for Aisha Imran. The veteran actor Aijaz Aslam walked for Almirah, while the undisputed queen of our entertainment industry, Saba Qamar walked for Samsara Couture House while Nausheen Shah graced the ramp for Zonia Anwaar. Noor Khan walked and Soch The Band performed for Nitasha Bilal Haute Couture while Kinza Hashmi closed the show for Haris Shakeel. The eternal Adnan Siddiqui walked the ramp for Royal Tag and Sarah Khan added allure to Nilofer Shahid’s timeless pieces.
Show director for PHBCW 2018 is Vaneeza Ahmed Ali. Hamna Amir is the official jewellery partner while Hair and Makeup is done by NPro and NGents. The red-carpet host for PHBCW 19 is Shadab Khan and Ahmed Godil is the digital host. Arsalan Ihsan is the emcee for the event and DJ Moazzam mixed the music for the shows. Backstage is managed by Salwa Rafique and her team and Faisal Farooqi at Dragonfly 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.
