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Over 800 hours spent on Bakhtawar's gota-heavy reception dress

Over 800 hours spent on Bakhtawar's gota-heavy reception dress

Designer Haris Ahmed shares photos of the intricate "handwoven couture produced by zardozi".
Updated 04 Feb, 2021

Designing bridal dresses is a long process, with painstaking attention to detail. And when it's a dress for a high-profile bride like Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari, the details can take weeks to perfect.

In case of Bakhtawar's reception dress, it took 800 hours.

The designer, Lahore-based Haris Ahmed, shared details on his social media about designing for the "most elegant couple".

The newly weds were matching in royal green with the groom, Mahmood Choudhry, sporting winter's favourite velvet and Bakhtawar donning traditional gota on raw silk.

"We are privileged to design this traditional shalwar qameez for Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari, daughter of former President Mr Asif Ali zardari and late Benazir Bhutto, on her reception day at Bilawal House," wrote the design house.

"Our team has worked over 800 development hours to bring this precious masterpiece, defined by the finest quality of handwoven couture produced by zardozi — 'the art of gold sewing' — layered with the sucha gota — 'real gota'," revealed the designer alongside pictures of the craftsmanship.

"Intricate twist of glistening threads accentuate the design and reflects creativity that reinvent the traditional aesthetic."

The designer called it a "privilege" to design her dress. "It was a gratifying opportunity to create this regal hand-embellished pure heavy gota work on Brunswick green pure raw silk and chiffon."

The dupatta has been finished off with the classic and traditional kiran lace.

A photo posted by Instagram (@instagram) on

Bakhtawar on her Instagram shared one of the pictures by the designer and said she was "even prouder to represent and wear beautiful traditional gota work by the most talented artisans".

For her other functions, Bakhtawar chose Karachi-based Nida Azwer for the engagement last year; Lahore-based Zara Shahjahan for the mehndi function and another designer from Karachi, Wardha Saleem, for the much-anticipated nikah dress.

As Images' fashion writer noted, Bakhtawar's choices are an exciting indication that some of fashion’s younger set of designers are now gaining clout.

Bakhtawar got married to Choudhry, the son of a US-based businessman, last week amid pandemic-restricted fanfare.

"We are touched by all the love, prayers and good wishes. Deciding to get married during Corona meant we were limited by the SOPs," wrote the bride on her Instagram at the end of all the festivities. "Luckily, we were able to capture our joyous times and will be sharing with you through them."

And true to their word, the couple have been sharing snippets slowly but steadily on their Instagram accounts.

Comments

Derek Miller Feb 04, 2021 09:23pm
What a waste of money - surely funds looted from Sindh Why give airtime to these palace dwellers who disgrace the people of Pakistan
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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan Feb 04, 2021 09:26pm
We the tax payers paid for all those 800 hours. After all she is the daughter of Sindh and now Punjab as well. Congratulations Bakhtawar Zardari Chaudhry sahiba.
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Chrís Dăn Feb 04, 2021 10:03pm
This money could be utilized for poor people in interior Sindh or for many marriages of poor girls in Sindh villages.
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Captain Feb 04, 2021 10:17pm
Zardari has lots of looted money..... he has to spend it somewhere !
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Zak Feb 04, 2021 10:32pm
Wrong time to be discussing lavish wedding. Have happy life but out of media.
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Farah Feb 04, 2021 10:35pm
It's funny how nobody cares!!
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Changez Khan Feb 04, 2021 10:53pm
So PPP is a party of poor who spend millions of rupees on a wedding dress.
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Derek Miller Feb 04, 2021 11:34pm
Absolutely deplorable and vile people who celebrate while the masses suffer covid due to Sindh incompetence under PPP Anyone been to Burn's Road recently?
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Awaz.... Feb 05, 2021 12:40am
These are the so-called leaders of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.... Nothing But Shame.
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Sami Feb 05, 2021 01:44am
Meanwhile people of Thar are dying of hunger and disease. What a shame!
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Rick Feb 05, 2021 04:16am
You could have brought some vacancies for the poor and donated them, but you have to have a heart of gold and care for your people for that. In the current environment just a simple nikah would have been appropriate. What a shame.
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Farzana Mian Feb 05, 2021 04:44am
@Derek Miller well said
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Farzana Mian Feb 05, 2021 04:45am
Well said Derek Miller
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Sameer Feb 05, 2021 05:45am
I don't find anything special in her nikah / reception dresses despite only hype and so much waste of looted money of tax payers. Normal brides' dresses are far better than these ones.
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Toni Feb 05, 2021 07:17am
While they care for the poor in Sindh!
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Teddy Feb 05, 2021 07:49am
Long live the Zardaris.
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Surya Kant Agrawal Feb 05, 2021 08:45am
Pakistan is a nation of rich people. Excellent art work.
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Anti-Corruption Feb 05, 2021 09:00am
@Chrís Dăn “ This money could be utilized for poor people in interior Sindh” This money was looted from poor people of Sindh. Giving it back to them won’t make sense to Zardaris.
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Paddy Feb 05, 2021 11:11am
Zardaris are the future of the nation.
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Ishrat Rahman Feb 05, 2021 11:12am
What a shame for displaying the looted wealth of poor Pakistanis
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Raza Feb 05, 2021 12:35pm
@Derek Miller well said
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Chrís Dăn Feb 05, 2021 01:19pm
@Derek Miller well said. Bravo re!
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Solangi Feb 05, 2021 04:32pm
Millions of people are starving and these people are showing off their ill gotten wealth.
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Benaam boota Feb 05, 2021 06:17pm
All the mirza’s must be doing mirthful jigs, their gotcha moment on the girls grandfather.
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Sohail Ansari Feb 05, 2021 06:40pm
You may not realize Bhutto’s run the largest Philanthropy Foundation in Sindh and help built many instructions. Among wealthy In Pakistan the are perhaps the most generous and aware. Obviously not counting their sacrifices!!!
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raheel Feb 05, 2021 07:01pm
While people of sindh suffer from poverty, the kings and Princesses of Sindh continue to live in different worlds.
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Sridhar Raghunath Rao Feb 05, 2021 07:12pm
Marvelous skill of artisans in designing such a masterpiece of wedding dress To all those who commented that it is a wasteful expenditure : Yes. I agree. But, let us see from another angle. If rich people do not spend on such occasions, how this beautiful art and artisans can survive? Take pride that the country does possess great artists who reminds us of Moghal culture
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Naila Noor Feb 05, 2021 07:24pm
Thar k awam pias aur bhook se mar Gaye lekin Bhutto kal bhi zinda tha Bhutto aj bhi zinda hai. Unfortunately hame aise hukamran mile Jo khud to banglo mein rehte lakhon ropao k dresses dalte hain aur awam se kehte hai k pichli hakoomat ki wajha se mehangai hai .I am not criticising her on her most beautiful occasion of life but just want to say whether it's Imran khan nawaz Sharif or respected Bhutto Sahab every time you do such things and show off always keep in mind that one day you have to pay it all back.On that day you people will be on the mercy of this public when it will be the time to
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Irfan Feb 05, 2021 08:13pm
Bakhtawar is looking like a princess. She is such an elegant, beautiful and graceful lady.
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Huma Feb 05, 2021 08:38pm
Shame to show wedding dresses n there prices .PPP saying we will come to power for poor people .The way of life showing every thing .
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Sami Feb 05, 2021 09:28pm
Any concept of efficiency and productivity here.
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THE MORNING STAR, MD. Feb 06, 2021 10:48am
So what is their source of income ?
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Bilal Melbourne Feb 06, 2021 12:09pm
Dear nation, She is Pakistan’s daughter. Lets wish her a happy wedding. Let go off your woes on her happy occasion and let her rejoice. Lets learn to not ridicule our own people on their special days. We do not appreciate embezzled funds. However, we should portray some decency despite our differences. She is your ex PMs daughter. Let us all join in her happiness. Be loving! P.S she looks more decent than most movie stars you adore. Felicitations to the couple! Stay blessed
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Kiran Huma Feb 06, 2021 01:52pm
@Captain yes,
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Kiran Huma Feb 06, 2021 01:57pm
@Changez Khan, they talk about roti, kapra aur makan and such wastage of money on his daughter
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saksci Feb 06, 2021 05:57pm
@Zak Why this corruption will continue Bhutto generations to come. Please do not tell me that she does not know that it is all stolen money from her mother and father.
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