This year's Asiana Bridal Show took place at their usual venue, the Rivebank Plaza in London, on the 30th January.
I made the trip from Manchester to London just for the show and I have to say it was worth it! There's so much to say about the event, from some of the lesser known fashion exhibitors I met, to the lack of asian models on the "enchanted forest" catwalk.
I'll be posting my full reviews of each fashion show designer very soon, but here's a first look/preview from the catwalk, starting with my two favourites - Ziggi Studio and Ekta Solanki.
Ziggi Studio's Raj Gharana Collection
As a big fan of Ziggi Studio I couldn't wait to see their new 2011 collection and was instantly blown away when they started off their section of the fashion show with the green and gold sherwani (seen on the right in the photo above), modelled by Asiana Magazine veteran Cameron Khan. There was a very regal look to this collection.
Ekta Solanki
I was impressed by Ekta's collection not just on the catwalk, but up close in her exhibition space. It's the colour combinations which you'd think wouldn't go together, but they do, and the big bold embroidery patterns. My favourites were the blue and gold outfits.
Truphae
I knew very little about Truphae before this event, and I believe this event was the launch of their brand. I didn't really feel there was a theme to their collection as the outfits didn't seem to go together. Individually though, there were a few outfits which I liked the look of.
Gul's Style
Gul's Style closed the show, and they were one of the few fashion show designers who didn't have an exhibition stand where visitors could get a closer look and touch the outfits for themselves. They had some pretty outfits though, including the finale piece seen above which one of my non-asian work colleagues described as "a technicolour dreamcoat".
Khushboo's by Chand
Khushboo's always put on a good catwalk show, but like Gul's Style I don't think they had an exhibition stand so I didn't get a chance to see for myself what their customer service is like!
Kyle's Collection
This was the showpiece of their catwalk show - the necklace was impressive (if you could call it a necklace - it was so much more!) although probably very difficult to be the person wearing it at a wedding/party - imagine people trying to greet you with a hug/kiss whilst wearing that! However I'd love to wear the headpiece and play princess for a day.
Mongas
As well as featuring in the main fashion show, Mongas also had a mini-catwalk in their exhibition space which was a nice touch.
RDC
Sonas Couture
I had high hopes for Sonas Couture - having loved what I'd seen on their website and in the magazines. Sadly their fashion show outfits were a bit hit and miss for me. I liked this gold outfit though, especially the detail on the sleeves.
The Asiana Fashion Show Models
There were a few comments made about the ethnicity of the models at this year's fashion show. The first segment by Roshan's was a stream of non-asian models, and sadly it stayed that way for most of the event. I counted 3 asian models out of all the girls (including pakistani model and recent Asiana Magazine cover star Mehreen Syed) and just 2 out of the guys.
Getting a seat for the fashion show
Having been to the Asiana Bridal Show before, I knew from experience that to get a decent seat for the fashion show you have to start queuing up early - and if you're at the front of the queue, somehow a stream of people always manage to get "priority" entry before you. The same was true this year, and even though I had my seats reserved (big thanks to Manni at Asiana), the majority of the front rows were reserved for sponsor's and exhibitor's guests rather than the public who had paid an entry fee to see the fashion show, which I thought was a little unfair!
Did you attend the exhibition and/or the catwalk show? What did you think overall?
I made the trip from Manchester to London just for the show and I have to say it was worth it! There's so much to say about the event, from some of the lesser known fashion exhibitors I met, to the lack of asian models on the "enchanted forest" catwalk.
I'll be posting my full reviews of each fashion show designer very soon, but here's a first look/preview from the catwalk, starting with my two favourites - Ziggi Studio and Ekta Solanki.
Ziggi Studio's Raj Gharana Collection
Ekta Solanki
Truphae
Gul's Style
Khushboo's by Chand
Kyle's Collection
Mongas
RDC
Sonas Couture
The Asiana Fashion Show Models
There were a few comments made about the ethnicity of the models at this year's fashion show. The first segment by Roshan's was a stream of non-asian models, and sadly it stayed that way for most of the event. I counted 3 asian models out of all the girls (including pakistani model and recent Asiana Magazine cover star Mehreen Syed) and just 2 out of the guys.
Getting a seat for the fashion show
Having been to the Asiana Bridal Show before, I knew from experience that to get a decent seat for the fashion show you have to start queuing up early - and if you're at the front of the queue, somehow a stream of people always manage to get "priority" entry before you. The same was true this year, and even though I had my seats reserved (big thanks to Manni at Asiana), the majority of the front rows were reserved for sponsor's and exhibitor's guests rather than the public who had paid an entry fee to see the fashion show, which I thought was a little unfair!
Did you attend the exhibition and/or the catwalk show? What did you think overall?
What about Kiran Khan? How was her collection?
ReplyDeletehey
ReplyDeletei really loved and enjoyed the talent at the asiana bridal exhibition, it is the first ive been to in london and compared to the asian woman wedding exhibition in wembley stadium, it kiked bums!
however space, layout and organisation was terrible and made me really frustrated about the whole thing...
i could only see waist up on models on the catwalk because there was just toooo many people sitting infront of me and people trying to stand up to get a better look.....
the exhibition space was worse.... totally jam packed! it was a struggel being able to find tym and space to actually speak to the exhibitor.. and with one floor to explore, me and the other half had to give up because it just got tooo hot and claustrophobic
defo oversell which made the experience a bad one,,, shame though because what was on show was amazing
... mayb these guys should exhibit in wembley stadium too... that had plenty of space....
Thanks for your comment - I must admit I browsed the exhibitions stands quite early in the morning when they were less busy so I didn't get stuck in a people-traffic jam but having seen how many people had arrived a bit later on I can understand imagine how crazy it got on the exhibition floor.
ReplyDeleteI do think this hotel is a great venue, but I think for future events there needs to be a bit more planning in terms of layout to ensure easy movement for people.
I didn't manage to get any good enough photos of Kiran Khan to include in this update, but will be reviewing their catwalk show and exhibition in upcoming blog posts (when I have access to professional photos from the show)
ReplyDeleteWhere were all the asian models at this event. Its an asian bridal show. The clue is in the title. The models were pretty but why didnt they use asian models? Asiana are always being criticised about. Its stupid. Its not like there isnt enough asian models around. The editor of the magazine needs to support her own too. Typical asian mentality.
ReplyDeletethank you for highlighting the lack of asian models on this catwalk. I didn’t go but everyone I spoke to mentioned this. do you know how hard it is for an asian model to break into mainstream modelling? when do you see many asian models being featured in western shows or even london fashion week events. asiana is a big show which provides an opportunity for asian models to shine. its an asian wedding show, the audience is 90% asian, the brides/grooms to be are asian, the designers are asian, the people purchasing and interested are asian so what arent the models asian? there are so many tall slim good asian models that can do the same job if not better as they are already accustomed to asian clothes and no how they should be presented. my friend told me the western models were good but they didn’t really know how to bring the asian class when showcasing the clothes. they danced around in the too much. im not being cruel about the models that they did use. everyone says asian women bride show was bad but atleast they use asian girls. and have a better venue!
ReplyDeleteI agree. When the two asian models came on, they looked amazing.All the focus was on them and their clothes. Hence more attention on the collection. If I was trying to market my work I would be so annoyed. As nice as the outfits were it all got a bit boring as all the western models looked the same. Ziggi's collection was nice but like I said all the white guys looked similar and nothing stood out. He should of used handsome asian men, as there the ones who are going to wear the sherwani's. A sherwani will always look better on a indian or pakistani man as it was made for them not english men
ReplyDelete"A sherwani will always look better on a indian or pakistani man as it was made for them not english men"
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with the above statement, firstly I do think there should have been a few more asian models in the show - it would have been nice to see an equal mix of both, but I don't think the outfits looked any worse on the non-asian models. Turn the tables and imagine if someone told you that you should stick to asian clothes because western clothes will always look better on a white woman - not very nice to hear it that way round is it?!
You need to consider that a lot of people have mixed marriages where the brides and grooms are from different backgrounds and ethnicities, and you will see some people from non-asian backgrounds wearing these clothes for their weddings.
Personally I thought the male models were great and they carried off the sherwanis and regal look of the Ziggi Studio collection very well.
Interesting comments here. As an established show producer and creative director, I do believe that its important to have a good balance of asian models in a show. And yes this years Asiana bridal show did lack the appropriate models. I myself in the the past have casted non asian models for my shows however I do ensure that they are trained well and taught how to carry the clothes.
ReplyDeleteThe models may have 'all looked the same' as someone commented earlier, and that's a lot to do with the lack of styling, the draping was pretty much the same for every outfit each model wore.
My and team and are meticulous about the detail and styling... Proof is in our shows.
As for the comment 'there are plenty of asian girls who could model' I'm afraid its not really the case. There maybe plenty of pretty asian girls out there but can they model? NO! There are very few asian models who are trained and take the job professionally. Most of the girls are unfortunately too short, or don't have the deportment skills. I'm all for training and grooming fresh asian talent for the catwalk, but the girls need to be serious abt the job, and look after their skin, body, weight,have stage presence (you can't to retakes or photoshop mistakes on stage/live shows) excersise and turn up on time for jobs. Just because you are pretty doesn't mean you can be a model. Sadly there are people/supposed choreographers and show producers out there who will put anyone on the stage... (As is the case with many shows out there) they seem to qualify Because they are pretty and because they are doing the job for free/peanuts. I'd rather pay decent money and get professionals in who will do justice to the clothes (asian or non asian). I do give new comers (asians) a chance but only on the basis they do catwalk training and take modeling as a serious career. As for asiana bridal show, yes they didn't have the balance of models this year, they didn't have the styling and creativity and the non asian models did look out of place because they were not taught...
Nothing else.
Well said Naseeba!
ReplyDeleteI've always found that some girls will get the opportunity to catwalk bt they don't take it seriously & let girls who are determined to get into it get passed over!
Similar thing happened with me asian scene didn't give me a chance as I was TOO DARK (!!!) BUT I got good work on english side!
I thought they all looked fab from the pics asian/ non asian they suited the outfit & did carry them well. No one wants to see a dress modelled catwalking by a 5'3 dragging the dress.
Mwah
Love love love ekta solanki's collection...more pics please!!!!
ReplyDeletex
luuurve ektas clothes, stunning and ziggi wow super stuff great post!!
ReplyDeletebased on the pics i have seen on this website over the years i decided to make a trip down to the fashion show this year.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Nazma - my biggest gripe was that the seats were all the same level and therefore you couldnt see the full outfits! They should have had seats like they do in theatres - raising higher the further back tehy went so at least your view wasnt blocked by someones head!
Other then that as it was my first experience of any catwalk show i thought it was still very good (my non-asain friend did however comment on the lack of dark skinned models representing the target market).
My absolute favourit was Kiran Khan - her collection was pastel based ...very spring/fresh feel and stood out to all the reds and traditional colour palette on teh catwalk. It felt pakistani high fashion. Long tops/long jackets etc.
i spoke to her afterwards and she was really nice and genuine.
the actual exhibition was chaotic but that was due to it being peak time, i felt there were too many london based companys and as i am based up north i wasnt interested...there were too many photographers/makeup artist stands and all the models representing the makeupartists had the same makeup look!
Without the catwalk show it wouldn't have been worth it as i went to the few designers stands whose outfits causght my eye. However what they had in the show was not on the stand.
As for Ekta's collection it was the same thing i saw last year in the magazines (same with Guls) however Ektas prices started from £2500 up to £6000 for one of the outfits in her stand!dont asians know its a recession! defintily beutiful but OTT and definitly pricey.
i would go to another catwalk show but only if the seats were reserved (i rather pay more if i know i will get a good seat) or at least if they sort out the way the seats are placed! In regards to another exhibition then no, i probably wouldnt unless it was specific to my local area.
next time i will just wait for the pictures to come up on this website :o) please put up the kiran khan pictures as i wanted to make an appointment to see her but wanted to show my family first!
Well said to some of the above comments. Yes the seats were silly as I couldnt see the bottom of the garments. Also yes to lack of asian models. I also agree on the amount of profssional asian models. Most do not have the physique or experiance to carry off a runway. More time should go into selection and training of models. Most asian models do not behave professionally, there either short or a bit chubby. They get too personal, instead of just concentrating on the task in hand. There too worried about which outfits there going to wear or who is looking better than them. Dont blame Asiana for using non asian models, atleast they dont care what each other is wearing or who the bloody show stopper is! I kno im a model too. Way too many politics to even get involved within the asian industry. Organisers and choreographers never know what there doing, never know how to use each model properly, they have their own issues going on and get too personally involved too. As for collections, yes ekta was amazing as always. preferred last years show too as it was nice to see familiar faces on catwalk
ReplyDelete"sherwani's are made for asian men and not english men" is the same way an englishman telling an asian person to stick to shalwaar kameez and sari's and lunghis because western wear wasnt designed for them ... wish people would think before spilling their thoughts
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love Ekta Solanki's clothes her designs maybe similar to last year but she has the vibrant and young feel that I just adore. As for the model comments I personally think its best to concentrate on the designer's clothes and accessories rather than judge the ethnicity of the models, that's what a fashion show is all about right? And it's not exactly a mainstream fashion show in London Fashion Week! A great post Nazma, look forward to reading more. x
ReplyDeleteAgree with all the comments here, Ekta's collection and exhibition space was by far the best.
ReplyDeleteYes she is expensive (prices start from £3000 depending on the design) but the quality of her clothes, fabrics, embroidery and service is brilliant. Her designs are unique and fresh something every bride wants to see! The rest of the collections were so sparkly and all seemed to look the same im afraid.
I absolutely loved Kiran Khans collection I thought it was one of the best designer catwalks I have seen.I also wish there were more Asian models used it would have been more reflective on the clothing and the market they are aimed at. In india and pakistan they are able to use asian models and they dont seem to have qualms about them so I dont know why asiana did. I went in the line for the fashion show early about 40 mins. Only to find seats reserved and children and uncles sitting in front in reserved seats (sunrise radio, jaguar etc). Surely these seats should be for brides-to-be who want to buy outfits and are interested in them. I actually feel I wasted my money and preferred the Asian wedding exhibition in Alexander palace (because the fashion show was repeated and I actually got to sit near the front to see the actual cloths ). Sure the catwalk was nicer at asiana but what was the point when you could hardly see anything.
ReplyDeleteI totally hated the layout of the stalls and overcrowding at the show it could have been better planned.
Thanks for a brilliant article Nazma. I was at the exhibition too and really enjoyed the fashion show. Ziggy studio and Ektas collections were my favourite and I loved all of Kyles jewellery
ReplyDeleteHowever I was dissapointed with the seating/queuing arrangements at the show. I queued for over 30 mins near the front of the queue when one of the organisers gathered a big group of family and friends and led them to the front while we were still left waiting.
I suggest that the seats should be numberes which would reduce the queues and tiered/staggered so everyone can see.
Otherwise I was totally impressed with the models (asian or non-asian). I thought they were very professional and worked very hard.
Can't wait for more pics to be put up.
why dont the designers have more say about which models should be used?! thats how it is and should be. asiana's editor gets too involved in where is shouldnt concern her too much. she should leave that to a mutual professional, experianced show producer, casting agent or choreographer and designer combined. yes everyone is talking about the lack of asian models, in all fairness, thats what the main topic of debate was in the audience and end of show too. so its good to discuss it, this is a blog forum
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE Gul's style - so fresh and vibrant!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see more pics x
Great Catwalk all round, I feel people were there to see the collections and feel that the models carried off everyone's collections well. Personally my favourite was Sonas collection. The first gown blew me away and I agree, the gold outfit was simply stunning.
ReplyDeleteloved Ziggi's and Ekta'scollection. When you puting more pic up from these two designers as the collection from these two designers were the best x
ReplyDeleteNayla, I think Sonas collection was the best. Her boutique also has amazing ranges whereas Ekta Solanki has a tiny studio. Ektas cuts look very repetitive and overpriced!!
ReplyDeletei love the gul's style bridal dress ... can u tel me the price please
ReplyDeletegulsstyles is known to make sm really beautiful clothes ,since i hv been to his store.i loved tht pink farshi gharara wt antigue n gold embroidery.without a doubt tht show stopper 'bridal' was a visual treat for the eyes.he is known to stock good clothes little on the expensive side ,but i believe tht for good quality u hv to pay little extra ,since getting married wearing one of guls styles clothes is like a dream come true,good collection gulsstyles.......hoping to see sm more good ones in near future
ReplyDeletehi im getting married soon and really like one of the dresses in guls styles fashion how do u go by this and know what the prices are and if they all only range in certain colours or do they vary but at the mo very new and vibrant designs keep up the good work...mrs jamal xxx
ReplyDeletehello! I am a fashion designer I would love to participate in Asian bridal exibition, to explore my ideas.
ReplyDeleteIdon't have any showroom yet but i am planning to have my own fashion studio soon. so b4 i start i want participate in a Asian bridal show.my request for Nazma please if you can give me moredetail about the show.
Thank you...
To anonymous I've published a list of upcoming Asian wedding exhibitions which you can view here http://asianfashionblog.co.uk/2011/10/dates-for-your-diaries-asian-wedding.html
ReplyDelete