Highlights: Asiana Bridal Show & Catwalk 2014

It's that time of the year again when I get to blog about the Asiana Bridal Show (which took place yesterday). For the initiated it's an annual wedding show aimed at Asian couples and features four catwalk shows during the day featuring the glitziest, most sparkling outfits you'll possibly ever see.

I fell in LOVE with the catwalk as soon as I saw it! I have a thing about lights and the colour red but this combination designed by decor company Maz of Leicester hit the spot and set the theme for a Moulin Rouge-Bollywood-Dhoom 3- Ram Leela inspired extravaganza.

The gorgeous hair for the show was styled by Aamir Naveed who also did my mop, while the make-up was provided by Ambreen and her make-up team. They also had their own catwalk segment, pictured above. Despite the fact I am happy with my current cropped hairdo, it did give me a pang of jealously about having long hair. Still, I've not ruled out having extensions one day! 

I arrived at 8.30am when catwalk rehearsals were underway...

...as was hair and make-up. My first task was to track down, with the help of fellow lifesaver Amna, breakfast for the models. (Yes they do eat crossaints and most amazingly they even eat fried toast...and fruit and healthy stuff like boiled eggs or course!)

Then I got mic-ed up and set to work! My task was to present the official Asiana Bridal Show video, a role I also took up last year. (Was rather sweet that so many members of the public stopped me to say hi as they recognised me, bless them!)
My crew was from Kat Films and together we got through 40 interviews over 4 floors...all whilst wearing heels. OUCH!

It involved stopping by some of the major exhibition stands including make-up artist Ambreen who was demonstrating her skills on some of her previous real life brides.

Like this one. In the photo behind is the bride on her wedding day and here she was again several months later, having the chance to wear her wedding outfit and get her make-up done again!

The catwalks shows were chockablock - and inevitably the entire audience were snapping away throughout!

In true Asiana style, it wasn't just fashion on the runway but some rather chic entertainment too like a hot male fire eater...

...and even hotter models carrying a gorgeous floral canopy. I saw it afterwards back stage, it was made by Flower Escent and it smelt divine as well as looked lovely. 

They also created stunning floral umbrellas too which aren't really captured well on my camera, if I can find a better photo from someone else I'll share later.

Being with a film crew also gave me special access backstage where I was amidst the crazy world of stying, last minute touch-ups and rail upon rail of gorgeous clothes. 

Anisha Vasani, pictured next to me, the Editor of Asiana Wedding Magazine was the Creative Director of the show. She styles incredible fashion shoots, one day I'm going to blog about some of my fave as they really are works of art; her vision for the catwalk was just as mind-blowing. It's great being able to work with such inspiring colleagues. 

The full catwalk line up was:

Kyles Collection
Frontier Raas
Frontier Bazaar
Khushboos's By Chand
Sona's Couture
Bibi London
Ziggi Studio
Ahsan's
Stuush Studio
RDC London
Monga's
Amir Naveed and Ambreen MakeUp Artiste

When the official photos are up on Asiana.TV I'll share the links. In the meantime here's a peek at what happened in a short video by Implausible Blog. Enjoy!
p.s my GORGEOUS dress is from Jones & Jones my fave dress designers!

Manish Malhotra's London Catwalk Show 2013

Sometimes amazing things happen on the spur of the moment like being given a days notice that I was off to one of the most exciting fashion catwalk shows that has ever taken place in London; the first runway collection on British shores by Indian designer Manish Malhotra. (Pictured with me above, photographed by Swani.com)

For the uninitiated, Manish has been designing costumes for Bollywood movies for over 23 years and has worked on over 1000 including some of the most successful films ever made. He also dresses stars for dos and functions....one of his muses is Kareena Kapoor (above) and last year he designed her bridal outfits for her. He's also had his own label for seven years.

The show was part of a Gala Charity Fundraiser event to raise awareness of and money for The Angeli Foundation who work to empower women in India and 'Save The Girl Child.'

As well as the wealthy society types attending The Do were a host of British Asian celebrities (like Eastenders star Shivani Ghai), most of whom I managed to grab for a quick interview. 

'Red carpet' interviews are so bizarre. Every media person there is trying to muscle in and you only get about 1 minute per celeb, it's not one of my favourite jobs but it keeps you on your toes!

I've appeared on radio host Nihal's BBC Asiannetwork show so many times as a guest but this was the first time I've had my photo with him. I was very impressed with his choice of specs.

Pictured with celebrity baker Dhan from Exclusive Cakes 4 U, presenter Anushka Arora, singer Kiran Dhanoa and hair stylist Aamir Naveed.

Guests (and press!) were treated to a delicious meal - my favourite part wasn't actually the main course but the tandoori paneer served as appetisers. It was delicious and took me back to my childhood when I used to eat tandoori chicken; it was the closest veggie alternative I've ever found.

Pre-catwalk there was a charity auction, live performance by singer Avina Shah and a raffle.
Then it was time for the main event. 
Manish's stunning collection.....the following photos are all shot by Swani.com.

Manish has a reputation for appliqued panels...

He also has an obsession with women's backs...

Length....

And makes flamboyant sherwanis for men. 

The show stopper of the catwalk show was Bollywood newcomer Parineeti Chopra. 

I haven't seen her act yet but she was pleasant enough when I interviewed her!

The highlight of the evening was when Manish actually commented on my own style and colour. 
THE MOST FAMOUS FASHION DESIGNER IN INDIA....liking my look. 

Now that's a compliment I won't forget!

Asiana Bridal Show 2013: Catwalk & Event Gossip!

Model Sabeeka Imam wearing Nicky B

This January marked my 4th visit to the Asiana Bridal Show and once again I'll be writing the official catwalk report that will appear in the summer issue of the magazine... but that's a long way off!
So in the meantime I thought I'd do my own report of my 17-hour day working there!
It involved waking up super early to ensure we filmed and photographed the models in hair & make-up:

Young & talented hairdresser extraordinaire - Aamir Naveed

Getting my own make-up done by a member of the official catwalk make-up artist Ambreen's team:

Thankfully Rumana loves glitter too!

 Catching catwalk show rehearsals:

Interviewing approximately 50 exhibitors, fashion designers, sponsors and guests for the official video that I'm presenting:

The crew from Studio 4 Photography

Breaking my sandals: 

: (

Eating a curry:

Catering by Madhu's

Meeting high profile bloggers Nazma from AsianFashion Blog and Rabbia from Asian Wedding Ideas:

Check out Rabbia's report of the day here. Nazma is working on several posts but here's her first thoughts.
Posing with The Dreamboys: 

Get your hen & stag do organised by Asiana Events

Getting in the way backstage (I eventually got chucked out!) :

And of course catching the incredible show itself.
Celebrating the glamour, beauty, uniqueness, colour and sparkle of Asian Fashion, this isn't just a show where pretty people strut on catwalks, as Stephen Walker the choreographer told me, it's like a West End Show but with more style!    
As well as 14 collections from over 10 designers there was a snake:

Fire eater:

Khatak dancer:

Live performance by Rishi Rich:

 As well as music from tabla players, Japanese drummers, a violinist, amazing props and accessories and of course utterly gorgeous clothing.

I'm no professional photographer, so to see proper photos follow these links to see the catwalk collections accompanied by my trend reports:
RDC London
Nicky B
Kyles Collection
Charmi Creations
Yuvna Kim
Ziggi Studio
Frontier Raas
Frontier Bazar 
Harkiran's
Khushboo's By Chand
Monga's

There were some seriously stunning outfits with so much attention to detail and oh my....how they shimmered under the runway lights. 
The Creative Director of the Show was Anisha Vasani, pictured here with Style Coordinator Puja Mathia:

These girls, plus Backstage Production Manager Sonia and all the dressers worked non-stop for over three days to get the show in shape and it was spectacular. I'm not even being biased. I know I work for the company who produced the show but I have very balanced opinions on things and when I hate someone I say so!

Although it's labelled a bridal show, it's an annual catwalk show that really captures the flamboyance, eccentricity, fun and frivolous side of Asian Fashion. You don't get many chances or really any chances to see Asian clothes on the catwalk in the UK...so if you want to know more about it, make sure you visit next year!

It was  also a real honour to be the Presenter for the official video, when it's up I'll add the link!

In the mean time here's how I ended the night.....despite being on my feet for what felt like forever (wearing heels that were too big for me after my own sandals broke) I still had the energy to strike some poses in the Asiana Foto Pod...well when you've spent your day at a fashion show, model behaviour is bound to rub off! 

The Asiana Bridal Show 2013 took place at the Riverbank Park Plaza Hotel on Sunday 27th January.