By Renata Menegaz
Having just wrapped up its 10th edition, IWED 2017, presented by Qatar-Expo, showcased exceptional names from the local wedding industry, alongisde international exhibitors from Lebanon, the U.A.E, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Turkey, India, Hong Kong and more. The event displayed the newest wedding styles and trends, and put on view the best arrangements and offers to its visitors, and those who may be planning a wedding.
Besides finding numerous wedding planners, suppliers, and services during the five-day event, the public also had the chance to attend free traditional activities, live entertainment, Zaffat presentations, and beautiful bridal fashion shows from renowned brands such as Ali Beydoun Fashion Design, Aisha Al Muhairi, Ryma Couture, Zainah Collection, Dar Waham, Najia Abadi and others. The Makeup District was the beauty sponsor of the fashion shows and provided makeup tutorials during IWED 2017.
When it comes to weddings, what comes to mind first for brides and fashion enthusiasts are the bridal gowns – and we talked with two designers to explore their showcases in this edition. Aisha Al Muhairi, designer and owner of the brand Lecci Fashion Design, is known as the ‘Queen of Henna’, and came from Sharjah, U.A.E to display in Qatar. “This was the first year I could come to Qatar, and it’s good because I have local consumers and everybody says it’s a good exhibition to be at,” says Al Muhairi. She explains proudly that her signature pieces have a modern touch, yet are still rich with details and crystals because she wants women to feel like princesses and queens. Al Muhairi’s exclusive gowns are hand-made and take from one to three months to be complete.
(Photo credit: Image courtesy of Cagteks)
Turkish designer of Cagteks, Emir Koç has worked in the fashion industry all his life, and for the last 15 years has been working as a Creative Director for bridal companies. In his first time to Qatar, Koç is interested to know the opinions of local bride when it comes to planning their wedding look. “Every year we participate in wedding industry fairs in Barcelona, New York, Istanbul, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, where we are able to be inspired from different cities and different cultures. For different countries we have to create different designs, so you have to design not only one collection, but you always have to think about new models. So every visit to different cities gives us new inspiration”, says Koç about his motivation behind the development of his collections.
When asked about his take on the latest bridal trends for 2017, he says: “We’re using and mixing together different types of fabric and laces. For the Gulf area we mostly create big skirts with crinoline and transparent effects on top, with laces. 3D effects and laser cuts are our must-haves, and, of course, using beading with crystals.” The Cagteks brand has recently started to display at Sposabella Boutique in Doha.
Jewellery exhibitors were there to display their best pieces for brides-to-be, maids of honour, and guests. Fine n’ Rhine’s representative says the event is very good for new business, as the audience was made up of both Qatari and foreign customers.
(Photo credit: Image courtesy of Plaza Hollandi)
And when it comes to flowers and floral arrangements, Plaza Hollandi revealed exclusively to ILQ the trends that will be huge this year: “The order now is less quantity and more quality flowers like orchids, in light, pastel light colours,”says Qusay Alobaidi, the company’s events manager. “The crystal element has been present in Qatari weddings since last year, combined with gold and silver, on the table, or hanging. But in 2017, the new component is the mirror because it reflects the crystal.”Alobaidi also told us that Plaza Hollandi is now doing full service events for weddings and other typs of occasions, including chairs, tables, arrangements for tables, candles, vases, catering, and more.
IWED 2017 was sponsored by Royal Events as Official Catwalk & Cake Sponsor; Regency Halls & Katara Hall as Official Wedding Hall; Makeup District as Official Beauty Sponsor; the Shangri La Hotel, Doha as International Hotel Partner; City Centre Rotana as Preferred Hospitality Sponsor; Ezdan Hotels as Strategic Partner; Executive Group as Support Sponsor; Photo Art as Official Photo & Video Partner; Regency Fleets as Car Rentals & Limousine Services; Q-Tickets as Online Registration Partner; Dott.com/Idea Media as Media Sponsor; and Oh La La Magazine as Luxury Lifestyle Magazine. Media Partners were Top 22 Beauty Magazine, Wedding Style Turkey, Marhaba Information Guide, Harayer Magazine, Marie Claire, Haya Magazine, I Love Qatar, Qatar Day, and MBCOnline.tv.
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