Consistency is key for any kind of success and growth. One has got to hand it over to the organisers and management of Hum Bridal Couture Week to have kept the fashion week spirit alive in a country where all reputed and esteemed fashion councils have given up.
The Bridal Couture Week (BCW) that shows the true spirit and culture of our country has now crossed a decade of its existence, paving way for all fashion designers, the veterans and the fresher ones to display their craft of this humongous scale.
The 2025 edition was held in Lahore over the weekend at a local hotel with three days of designer showcases, lots of dance and song performances and of course, stellar showstoppers. With some hits and misses subjectively, we’ll reserve our opinion for some other day, but here’s our pick of the outfits that made it to our list of top three.
ASIFA & NABEEL
The veteran designer brand showcased on Day 1 with this Celeste Gown catching our eye. The Celeste Embellished Gown by Asifa & Nabeel made a breathtaking debut at the 23rd edition of Sunsilk Hum Bridal Couture Week. Showcased by top model Sana Hussyn, this “vision of grace” is a master class in ethereal luxury. Meticulously hand-crafted with silver-tone crystals, pearls and metallic threadwork, the gown features a structured A-line base paired with a gossamer-light, open-front cape. Designed with wide, airy sleeves to create a whirlwind of glamour, this masterpiece is officially the season’s must-have couture. We love you Asifa, for whatever you create turns into art.
For now, let’s just say journalism has taken a backseat where digital-age influencers have taken over the front rows where once esteemed editors and publications were present. Celebrity culture has completely missed the mark, if we dare say, where our country’s heroes such as Wasim Akram, Ali Zafar, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Mahira Khan and so many others walked the ramp as showstoppers with the entire crowd going berserk are now replaced by TikTokers and influencers in their 20s-something strutting the catwalk. Polished, groomed and expertly-trained models that had once enjoyed celebrity status are now replaced by short, untidy, overweight and cheaper ones.
SHOAIB ISMAIL
This designer who we were hearing of for the first time, displayed this beautiful vision exuding royal romance. This maroon and rust-toned farshi lehnga unfolded like a princess at “her dehleez of love.” From the Dehleez-e-Ishq collection, the ensemble is adorned with opulent 6D hand embellishments, where tradition meets couture, creating a story of elegance, depth and enduring grandeur. TikToker Alina Amir showstopped wearing this lovely dress.
There is no merit on what outfits would look good on ramp, repetition, rehash or plagiarism be avoided, newer collections should be shown and hard work be reflected. No. It seems, whoever participates with a fee is more than welcomed. Be it, a designer even throwing a drama on stage, dropping our jaws, making us go in disbelief that such antics can go on such a prestigious platform too, is accepted as long as the fee is paid.
RIZWAN BEYG
The legendary designer’s dress is apt for mehndi and dholki events. Showing shades of marigold for the wedding season, keeping the mehendi/maiyon in mind, this was a flowing ombre lehnga and dupatta with a short structured jacket style choli making it more contemporary as opposed to a shirt. Delicately worked in gold dori marori with teeki and resham, it has understated elegance for a young bride who needs to glow. It can be customised in length and colour also with an option of sleeves or sleeveless versions.
We even witnessed a bouncer yelling at an elderly woman for drinking coffee inside the hall because she was unwell and needed a beverage. Our top three outfit picks reveal that all hope’s not lost. There are some designers who are still working hard, know their jobs well and are a beacon of hope in a mediocre fashion industry.