CMH Fashion Week Bridal Runway Show Spotlight: Lubna Designs

CMH Fashion Week, Columbus' official fashion week, kicks off Oct. 12. We caught up with the six designers and boutique owners participating in the second annual bridal runway show to chat wedding-day fashion and more. Up first: Lubna Parks of Lubna Designs.

How'd you get involved in the industry?

I went to business school at Kent State, and then I went on to get my MBA, which I finished last year. I come from the PR and marketing world, and fashion was something I was into on the side. I taught myself how to sew, and started making stuff for friends and family at first. I was more into the science behind design-I really liked learning about fabrics and the intricacies of fashion design. I wanted to start my own business, and I thought: "Why not something I'm really passionate about?"

How has your business grown?

I was doing really well overseas in Jordan, which is where I'm from. So I figured I could try to do as well here. I did a couple popup shops that did well, so I took my business background and self-taught sewing technique and started designing pieces to have manufactured here. That was about two years ago. Now I have two manufacturers that I work with in New York; one for my ready-to-wear line and one for my couture line, which includes the bridal and special occasion looks.

What can we expect from your CMH Fashion Week show?

I'm doing the finale show as well as the bridal show. For the bridal show, I'll be featuring my Beyond Bridal collection. The collection isn't just about the bride's dress; it's about the dresses she'll wear leading up to the event-for the bachelorette party, showers, gatherings-as well as for her friends and family. These are great dresses that you'll wear again.

My bridal look is very beachy and flowy, with sheer chiffons and light fabrics-nothing too tight. I wanted to bring a lot of lace and pretty colors into these looks. You'll see a little gold, blue, a little white … and sparkle. I do have a surprise piece in store. We wanted to do something for the LGBT community, so I made a piece for a masculine bride. It's a play on the groom's look.

For more about Lubna and her designs, check out Capital Style's Q&A with the designer.

Above: Lubna Parks in her office in the Short North (photo by Meghan Ralston)