Rhythm of Asia 2012 Fashion Show in Manchester

The annual "Rhythm of Asia" fashion show returns to Manchester next week on the Saturday 3rd November at the Midland Hotel.

This year's event features the following designers:

• Asim Jofa
• Arnab Sen Gupta
• Ferhan & Ambreen
• Goal
• Jenan Al Eiden
• Nassr Khan
• Sonia Battla
• Zainab Mushtaq

Tickets are available to buy from Imani Studio, priced at £50 for standard tickets and £70 for VIP. You can also buy them online from Chillitickets.com, but they're slightly more expensive that way as it includes an additional booking fee.

I've not attended any of the previous Rhythm of Asia shows personally, but I have always enjoyed the fashion show photos afterwards, here are some pics from previous Rhythm of Asia shows.

Zainab Sajid from the 2011 Rhythm of Asia show, view the rest of her collection from this show here: Zainab Sajid at 2011 Rhythm of Asia.

Elan by Khadija Shah at the 2010 Rhythm of Asia show, view the full collection here: Elan by Khadija Shah at 2010 Rhythm of Asia.

Waseem Noor at the 2011 show, view more here: Waseem Noor at 2011 Rhythm of Asia.

Sabyasachi fashion show in London at Pratham UK Gala

Earlier this month, the charity Pratham UK held its annual gala dinner which included a lavish fashion show featuring Indian designer Sabyasachi. Here are some photos from the event.

I don't have any more of the catwalk photos I'm afraid, but I did come across some backstage photos of the models which show a bit more of the details on each outfit:

This outfit was one of my favourites from the show.

There was plenty of fashion to be seen on the guests at this event too. Bollywood actress Kajol was the guest of honour at the event, pictured below with film director Gurinder Chadha.

Another Bollywood actress, Soha Ali Khan, also attended in what looks to me like a Sabyasachi sari.

View more photos from the event over at the UK Asia Online photo gallery.

Sabyasachi stockists in the UK

Here are two retailers I know of in the UK who stock the designer Sabyasachi:

• Phulkari in East London
  For more information visit the Phulkari London facebook page, or read my review of shopping with them here: Phulkari London shop review.
• Aashni & Co in West London
  This is a new asian designer store which had its official store launch a month ago in September. Find out more information via the Aashni and Co facebook page.
  

Online store Pernia's Pop-up Shop also stock Sabyasachi and even have a competition on at the moment to win a Sabyasachi sari! Find out more about how to win here: win a Sabyasachi sari.

If you know of any other UK retailers who stock this designer let us know by leaving a comment!

Photo credits for this post go to Sabyasachi Mukherjee facebook page and UK Asia Online.

National Asian Wedding Show London 2012 Photos

Yesterday I posted some video highlights from last weekend's National Asian Wedding Show in London, and here are some photos so you can view the details up close!

First up was Imani Studio who showcased some asian bridal outfits from Pakistani designers including Maria B.

Up next was textile company Gul Ahmed

After two Pakistani-style collections it was time for some fusion bridal looks with this collection from Seema Sarees

I know loose-flowing styles are in fashion right now, but I still love these dresses with more fitted tops and pouffy skirts!

Designer Lounge brought the show back to the realm of looser, longer and flowing outfits. These were two of my favourites from their collection:

Fusion were next on the catwalk, their collection included traditional-style red bridals as well as some more modern looks

Kajals

The finale of the show was a collection by Aishwarya which included a range of colours from block colours like hot pink, to more classic colour combinations like red, black and white - all with little details like a mixture of different textures. As someone who looks at a lot of catwalk photos, these outfits were the ones that stood out to me the most at this show.

You can view more photos from the show here: 2012 National Asian Wedding Show London. Photo credits go to Rafyl Photography.

National Asian Wedding Show London - first look

Last weekend the Excel centre in London held host to the National Asian Wedding Show. Here's a preview video showing some of the catwalk looks.


Designers on the catwalk included:

• Designer Lounge
• Shoffa Jewellers
• Imani Studio
• Aishwarya
• Gul Ahmed
• Seema Sarees
• Kajals
• Fusion

Did any Asian Fashion Blog readers attend the show? What did you think?

IAFA International Asian Fashion Awards 2012 - last chance to submit your nomination

The International Asian Fashion Awards (IAFA) are back for 2012 and this time the event looks set to be bigger and better than ever!

The awards ceremony itself takes place next month on the 10th November in London including a fashion show by Naseeba Sacranie and the Ooops Team. Tickets aren't available to buy yet, but in the meantime there's the small matter of the awards themselves.

There are a number of different categories which will be judged by a celebrity panel including one of my favourite Indian designers Manish Malhotra, Pakistani designer HSY, make-up artist Lubna Rafiq, Fashion Editor of GQ India Antara Motiwala and photographer Paul Farnham.

There's still time to submit a nomination for your company or to nominate an asian fashion company which you admire. The closing date for entries is midnight on Wednesday 10th October.

These are the categories:

• Best Newcomer in Fashion Design
• Best Make-up artist
• Best Wedding Collection Designer
• Best Male Fashion Designer
• Best Female Fashion Designer
• Outstanding Contribution to the Fashion Industry
• Best Designer Brand
• Collection of the Year

Visit the IAFA Facebook page for information on how to submit your nomination.

Here are some photos from the 2010 and 2011 IAFAs:
 

Harkirans Collection at 2011 IAF Awards

2010 "Collection of the Year" Winner Ekta Solanki and models

I'm looking forward to seeing who the winners will be this year, and who knows, maybe next year there will be a category for Best Asian Fashion Blog? :)

View the winners and more catwalk photos from the 2011 show here: 2011 International Asian Fashion Awards, and the 2010 show here: 2010 International Asian Fashion Awards.

Autumn Winter 2012 Wedding Exhibitions in the UK

The next few months are packed full of wedding exhibitions taking place in the UK, here's my guide!

Premier Asian Wedding Show

Date: Sunday 7th Oct
Location: Manchester - Midland Hotel, Peter Street, M60 2DS
Price: £10 for adults, £5 for children
More info: Facebook event page

National Asian Wedding Show (London)

Date: Saturday and Sunday 13th and 14th October
Location: London - Excel, E16 1XL
Price: £10, free entry for under 13s
More info: National Asian Wedding Show website.

Ultimate Wedding Exhibition

Date: Sunday 21st October
Location: Birmingham - St John's Hotel, B91 1AT
Price: £7
More info: Anniya official website

National Asian Wedding Show (Midlands)

Date: Sunday 25th November
Location: Birmingham - National Motorcycle Museum, B92 0EJ
Price: £5, free entry for under 13s
More info: National Asian Wedding Show website.

PureJewels Asian Wedding Exhibition 2012

Date: Saturday and Sunday 1st and 2nd December
Location: London - Wembley Stadium, HA9 0WS
Price: £8 for adults and £5 for children
More info: Facebook event page

Have I missed any events? Feel free to post any I've left out in the comments section!