My friend has narrowed down her wedding dress choices to these 2 dresses…
The first one, she was quoted $1900 for a replica by someone who is on gupshup. She doesn’t know if that’s a rip-off, especially since she doesn’t know who the designer is and how much the original cost is.
Do you ladies have any idea? I tried helping her out but I haven’t seen the dress anywhere besides Irfan Ahson’s photoshoot.
For both the dresses:
Who is the original designer?
What is the original price?
Is there anyone that you would recommend that could do a replica (pretty much EXACTLY the way it’s seen in the pic) that lives in Lahore/US?
Also, about the Mehdi picture, I can’t tell–is that all kaam on the kameez or is that just the fabric…? It looks really full of kaam but with the pics not being very close up, I can’t tell.
I can't comment on the actual dresses but I will say that if your friend is requesting a replica, she needs to dial back her expectations of how exact it's going to be way, way down. A replica is usually produced by looking at pictures that are more or less the same size as you've posted. The kaam, the color, the accuracy of the placement- these will all vary guaranteed because most of it will be approximation, and in some cases, an informed guess. How informed depends on the person making it and how good their eye is.
As well, if an original outfit by the designer is 5 lakh, for example and it is being reproduced for 2, then there is guaranteed going to be a difference - not just in material quality but also in the kind of kaam being done. If she is being promised an exact replica, that is false. How can it be? Think about it- using Swarovsi's in kaam will always cost more than using Czech beads, for eg. Doing handwork all over will always be more expensive vs. Mixing it in with machine work. Using a pure silk or chiffon will always cost more than mixed materials. Add up all the lessers and you get an outfit vastly different- but also much cheaper- than the original KWIM?
So ask her to save herself some heartache and manage her expectations, and know that she'll be lucky if she gets a "close enough / good enough" approximation. And also know that that doesn't mean the outfit won't be lovely in it's own right.
I can't comment on the actual dresses but I will say that if your friend is requesting a replica, she needs to dial back her expectations of how exact it's going to be way, way down. A replica is usually produced by looking at pictures that are more or less the same size as you've posted. The kaam, the color, the accuracy of the placement- these will all vary guaranteed because most of it will be approximation, and in some cases, an informed guess. How informed depends on the person making it and how good their eye is.
As well, if an original outfit by the designer is 5 lakh, for example and it is being reproduced for 2, then there is guaranteed going to be a difference - not just in material quality but also in the kind of kaam being done. If she is being promised an exact replica, that is false. How can it be? Think about it- using Swarovsi's in kaam will always cost more than using Czech beads, for eg. Doing handwork all over will always be more expensive vs. Mixing it in with machine work. Using a pure silk or chiffon will always cost more than mixed materials. Add up all the lessers and you get an outfit vastly different- but also much cheaper- than the original KWIM?
So ask her to save herself some heartache and manage her expectations, and know that she'll be lucky if she gets a "close enough / good enough" approximation. And also know that that doesn't mean the outfit won't be lovely in it's own right.
yeah that's what I was telling her so she's on the fence again lol. She really wants the top design and can't seem to locate the designer so she was going to just get it replicated. The 2nd option, I don't think is going to come even close to looking anything like the original if replicated. I know it's a Mehdi design but we haven't heard back from him about $$$. Any idea how much it would be?
I think a Mehdi is in the same range as a Bunto, so she's probably looking at upwards of $3500, and probably more in the region of $4500-$5000, if not more.
And you're right- it seems very intricate but also, I kind of think the bottom of it looks a bit odd- the model looks very short and stunted in it.
I like the top design and it might just be something someone either made themselves or picked up from a ready-made boutique like Rim Jhim's etc. I think it would be much easier to replicate, frankly, of the two and there's a good chance it'll come out looking gorg.
^ if that's Kaam all over the shirt ( which I'm guessing it is) I don't think me.mehdi is going to charge below 6-7k :p maybe more!
haha Yeah that's what I'm thinking too. It def looks like kaam.
I think a Mehdi is in the same range as a Bunto, so she's probably looking at upwards of $3500, and probably more in the region of $4500-$5000, if not more.
And you're right- it seems very intricate but also, I kind of think the bottom of it looks a bit odd- the model looks very short and stunted in it.
I like the top design and it might just be something someone either made themselves or picked up from a ready-made boutique like Rim Jhim's etc. I think it would be much easier to replicate, frankly, of the two and there's a good chance it'll come out looking gorg.
I agree bout the bottom. Iman Ali is GORGEOUS and tall and that outfit is making her look very short. I'm guessing that the outfit on the top IS self-designed because with both my friend and I looking near and far, we haven't been able to find anything about it besides the 3 pics of the same girl in it taken by Irfan Ahson. It def also seems easier to replicate and though it isn't too crazy, it looks classy.
Have you considered maybe seeing if she's tagged in that pic on Facebook, the bride, I mean? Might be worth a shot to message her and get details first hand?
Have you considered maybe seeing if she's tagged in that pic on Facebook, the bride, I mean? Might be worth a shot to message her and get details first hand?
I did...couldn't help myself. But yeah, no luck. She's not tagged and his photo page is so active/popular that there's thousands of comments/likes on each pic. :(
I wouldn't bother with a replica ... for that amount of money, I think you can get a good bridal jora ... btw, I think there is a bridal / formal wear exhibition in LA happening by Nida Azwer, Sania Maskatia & Misha Lakhani ... these designers always go to major US cities for their clothing retail ... maybe your friend can make it to one of these. I know these designers are not as pricey as Bunto etc and their kaam plus material quality is really good. Worth a try to look at their stuff...
I wouldn't bother with a replica ... for that amount of money, I think you can get a good bridal jora ... btw, I think there is a bridal / formal wear exhibition in LA happening by Nida Azwer, Sania Maskatia & Misha Lakhani ... these designers always go to major US cities for their clothing retail ... maybe your friend can make it to one of these. I know these designers are not as pricey as Bunto etc and their kaam plus material quality is really good. Worth a try to look at their stuff...
No way, I'm in the area too and I was looking for a bridal expo. You have more details?
nida azwer, misha lakahani, sania maskatiya----- even these are top tier designers. bridals will START from somewhere in the 3-4k range. maybe if you take one of their bridals and lessen the kaam or take one of their formals and get a heavy dupata made with it... it MIGHT fall in the below 2k category (although i have my doubts)
The first dress is by Humza Rasool Chaudhry. You can find him on facebook. He usually charges around 3k-4k for a bridal but I am not sure about the price for this one.
The first dress is by Humza Rasool Chaudhry. You can find him on facebook. He usually charges around 3k-4k for a bridal but I am not sure about the price for this one.
OMG thanks so much! I looked everywhere but I can't find this design ANYWHERE even on his page. I messaged him so hopefully he'll get back to me!
I think the first dress is much better and red color is also suitable for wedding.
agreed. I just told her to find out if she can add a little more kaam since she feels like it's too light in terms of work for the shaadi. She's gonna have to get it replicated anyway since there's been no luck finding the designer. I just don't know WHERE she would add the kaam...maybe have like those little star things of kaam that look like spray kaam vs the lines going up from the bottom of the kameez that are there?
I agree I love the first one but it just seems to plain for a bridal. Talk to catwalk maybe she can help you Kaam all in the front or grab another bridal shirts front and have that Kaam added to the front of this. I love the sleeves but I also feel like the skirt could be different, the diamond pattern is so pretty but doesn't seem like enough or even a little off. If those were wide pants I think it would be fine on straight shirt but something is off about it, I'm not sure but I still love it so much. It's one of those lol
I agree I love the first one but it just seems to plain for a bridal. Talk to catwalk maybe she can help you Kaam all in the front or grab another bridal shirts front and have that Kaam added to the front of this. I love the sleeves but I also feel like the skirt could be different, the diamond pattern is so pretty but doesn't seem like enough or even a little off. If those were wide pants I think it would be fine on straight shirt but something is off about it, I'm not sure but I still love it so much. It's one of those lol
I was thinking that if that diamond pattern (I love it too!) had smaller boxes it'd look more full; The skirt doesn't look THAT bad but I think the sleeves would look better and more bharhay huay with kaam if the boxes were tighter. And the neck line kaam could be extended down further + thicker dupatta border. I'm not a fan of the thin lines of kaam coming up from the bottom of the kameez so it might look better with a spray of kaam (those little star shaped designs) in places instead. I like the overall cut of the outfit though. But you're right. Since she showed me this, I keep comparing everything else that she sends to this one. lol
