ASIAN BIRMINGHAM BRIDAL SHOW

Monday, 18 January 2010

The Birmingham Asiana Bridal Show 2010

Ziggi Studio invited me to attend the Birmingham Asiana Wedding Show yesterday at the Hilton Metropole Hotel! I was quite excited and really looking forward to some fashion trend spotting, especially as I’d found my own wedding outfit here at this show in 2008.

However, I have to say I was disappointed this time around. The exhibition itself was a lot smaller than I expected and most of the big fashion houses who advertise in Asiana Magazine/Asiana Wedding Magazine weren’t even there! I liked the fashion show itself, but the catwalk slots were running late and don’t even get me started on the queuing situation – I went from being the 4th person in the queue (and in line to get a good seat for the show and take lots of photos to share with you) to being something like 30th in the queue and that’s not even including the load of other random people in a separate queue that got let in first :(

It seems to me like the Birmingham Asiana show is the poor relative of the London Asiana show which is taking place in a few weeks. Perhaps it’s a sign of the times that exhibitors can’t afford to be at both shows so they all go for the London show?
Ok enough ranting, these were my highlights to the event:

Ziggi Studio


I really liked the regal theme of the sherwanis in the “Rajwada” collection which Ziggi Studio showcased on the catwalk, and I’m not just saying this because they got me complementary tickets for the show! Having spoken to Ziggi himself I know all the hard work that he’s put into the collection, and he’s a really nice guy too. I’ll be posting a full review of his collection, but as a preview, the outfit above was one of my favourites.

Mona Vora


Although they didn't exhibit on the catwalk show, in a room full of reds and golds, this dress on the Mona Vora exhibition stand really stood out to me. I’m not sure if you can see it in the photo but I’m loving the silver and pink colour theme.



I’ll be posting all my photos from the catwalk show including collections from Khushboos by Chand, Harkirans, Kyles Collection, Posh Boutique, Sache and of course Ziggi Studio.

If you attended the exhibition or catwalk show I’d love to know what you thought, if you’re a bride did you find what you were looking for? Do you think attending this event was money well spent?

Saturday, 9 January 2010

Asian Fashion Fusion - Maria B collection

Pakistani designer Maria B was another of the top names which took part on the Asian Fashion Fusion event on the 5th December in London. Many thanks to Shahid Malik Studio for the photos.

There was a very distinct colour theme to the first few outfits, and the strong combination of red, black and white made a big statement!

This dress above really stood out to me, it's very elegant, although not sure how it would look on our non-model bodies!!
I really liked the two jacket outfits below too, with their damask-style patterns and I think the addition of gold into the colour scheme really works well. If I attended lots of fabulous parties I'd snap these up in a second...but alas I don't have any events glamourous enough for outfits like these!



The show concluded with some of Maria B's most popular bridal outfits, at least I think they must be popular because I've seen these dresses more than a few times before on the catwalk and even after all this time they still make me think "wow"!



I really love these last two outfits, the first outfit has all the hallmarks of your traditional red-with-gold-embroidery wedding lehnga, until you reach the bottom of the skirt and that bridal red seamlessly blends into orange and then there's the addition of the pink underskirt too...it's just beautiful!
As for the blue outfit, well it may look pretty standard in the photo, but I actually got the chance to try this outfit on some 2 years ago! I was blown away by all the little detailing, like the hints of pink in the embroidery, the sheer parts of the top and the "bobbles" on the dupatta. If I had had a designer budget for my wedding outfit, the chances are I would have had a customised version made of one of these!

Friday, 8 January 2010

O'nitaa at Asian Fashion Fusion

Another name on the catwalk at the Asian Fashion Fusion event which took place the Jumeirah Carton Tower Hotel in London at the end of last year. O'nitaa are a london-based retailer who sell a range of different asian designers and they sent a diverse collection down the catwalk. Photos are courtesy of Shahid Malik Studio.

I like the 3 pajama suits above, especially the off-the-shoulder pink outfit above.

Not such a fan of the dresses below though, not elegant enough for my liking?

These next two outfits are really interesting they have a tribal/boho look to them:


I like that these next two dresses come with matching jackets. They're perfect for the cold and often temperamental weather in the UK, and we all know how difficult it can be to find the perfect coat to go with your asian outfits.


Finally, there were these two patterned saris:

Thursday, 7 January 2010

Modelling Opportunity - Pharmaclinix are looking for a new face

This just landed in my inbox - beauty brand Pharmaclinix are on the lookout for a new model to be the face of their brand!

Do you think you could be a successful candidate to be the next Pharmaclinix model. As they are looking for the perfect model to be their new face of the brand. If you think you got what it takes and would be interested in entering then all you have to do is follow the instructions below:

Email directly to info@pharmaclinix.com. Please don't for get to attach photos of yourself when sending the form.

The deadline for the applications is on the 20th January and you will be informed by January 28th whether you have been successful or not. They are looking for as many models to apply as possible whether you have had any prior experience or not you can still enter. Experience is not necessary.

The audition day is on the 7th February where all the entrants will be short listed from 50 girls to 15,and will be informed by the end of the day whether they will make the show or not.

The grooming and fitting day is on the 14th March which will take a full day
and there is a rehearsal day on the 19th March, the day before the show which all the girls will be required to attend. The show is on the 20th March which obviously all the girls need to attend. Its very important that the girls know the commitment they will be taking and so need to ensure they can attend every rehearsal and all the dates listed above.

The winner of the show will gain a contract with pharmaclinix for a year.
With this contract, the models will appear in a television commercial for PharmaClinix which will be shown worldwide in 15 countries.The countries are the UK, Bahrain, Denmark, Dubai, UAE, Kuwait, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Mauritius and Oman.
The advert will be shown to over 12 million people worldwide,and may be shown across the UK before Bollywood movies as an advertisement.They will also be paid handsomely for any commercials that they may do for us and will be the best promotion that the girls may gain.

If you have any queries please email or call Shiv directly at Pharmaclinix
Email: info@pharmaclinix.com. Tel: +44 (0) 208 969 0063

So don't waste any time apply straight away as spaces are limited.

I wish you all the best.

Good luck!

Wednesday, 6 January 2010

Asian Fashion Fusion event - MEHDI collection

On the 5th December 2009 the Jumeirah Carton Tower Hotel in London hosted the "asian fashion fusion" event. The show featured a range of international designers and here's the collection by Mehdi. Photos are courtesy of Shahid Malik Studio.

The show was dominated with trouser suits, light colours, light embroidery and sheer sleeves:

My favourite out of these outfits is the green one above, I like the colour combination and the embroidery design but not sure about the length/looseness of the trousers.

They also had some lehnga/skirt suits, again light colours and light embroidery but by no means plain, it's refreshing to see outfits that look beautiful without having to go over the top:



You can see more photos from the show including some gorgeous print saris by Satya Paul via this facebook photo album.

Saturday, 2 January 2010

Eastenders New Years Day - An Asian Wedding in a British Soap

Yesterday soap fans all over the UK tuned in to watch the first asian wedding on Eastenders, and fashion fans like myself tuned in to check out the clothes!!

If you need a reminder, or missed the show, the BBC have posted the following "behind the scenes" look at the wedding:

What did you think of the wedding and all the clothes?

My personal favourite outfit was mother-of-the-groom Zainab Masood in her sleeveless blue outfit worn with a chic matching bolero jacket, and the fact that she looked fab in it even though her character is 8 months pregnant! I also liked her jewellery too :)

Thursday, 31 December 2009

Clothes Show Live 2009 - Ziggi Studio and Mimi Boutique

Another part of the asian fashion segment at the Clothes Show Live 2009 in Birmingham was a collaboration by menswear designer Ziggi Studio and womenswear designer Mimi Boutique. Photos are by Hiten Ondhia.

I really like the unique-ness of this outfit by Mimi, in fact there was something different about all the ladieswear outfits, there was nothing usual about the collection.







The menswear by Ziggi Studio was teamed up with jeans in some instances showing a real versatility to the jackets.


Videos of the show can be seen here.

Ziggi Studio will be showcasing a wider range of their collection at the 2010 Asiana Bridal Shows taking place in Birmingham and London so look out for more coverage of them on here soon!