The opening day of the 3rd edition of Islamabad Fashion Week (Oct 4-6) was scheduled for Friday, but it could not happen due to “unforeseen circumstances” as cited by the organisers. This, in turn, led to even more people flocking to the remaining two days and the venue witnessed an unprecedented rush which made the Serena Hotel staff adopt painstakingly stringent security measures which flustered quite a few and ruffled the feathers of many a VIP.

“We remained on schedule except for the opening day as a result of which IFW became a two-day event that accommodated all the participating designers,” said Arshad Siddiqui, CEO of Triple-E.

Commenting on the delay, he said, “We had 21 Pakistani and four international designers this year. Things are never easy in a city like Islamabad with tight security and logistics are a really big issue. But we still remained pretty much on track and were able to put up a great show every day.”

The previous two consecutive fashion weeks in the capital city attracted buyers, designers, diplomats, socialites and fashionistas, among others. “Earlier you could hardly see any local designers. In 2011, we could find only three or four of them but the industry has grown and this year we featured 10 Islamabad-based designers and introduced fresh talent both in fashion design and modelling,” the organisers said.

Retail brands, multi-brand stores, textile giants, fashion school graduates and jewellery designers were among those who showed during the event. The line-up included Kolaaj, Nasia Zafar Koreshi of the luxury pret and couture label NZK Collection known for stylish cuts and design acumen, Shazia Kiyani of Shazia’s Bridal Gallery, Sobia Zuha, multibrand stores Abida Parveen Gallerie and Fashion Secrets besides Shaiyanne Malik of SamanZar, haute couturier Usman Dittu, Erum Khan, jewellery designer Nosheen Aamir of Ennz, Yahseer, Mohsin Naveed Ranjha of MNR, Sanah of Glitters, Sameer Ali, Hameeda, textile giants Gul Ahmed and Ittehad Textiles, retailers Kayseria, emerging fashion designers from Iqra University and Gift University, Gujranwala, Bangladeshi designers Emdadul Hoque who is a freelance fashion designer and journalist, Mahmudul Hasan Mukul and Shahrukh Amin, and Sharifah Kirana from Malaysia.

The models who participated included Nadia Hussain, Amna Ilyas, Rubya Chaudhry, Tatmain Jilani, Rachel, Zille Huma, Maha Kanwal, Saima Azhar, Saima Haroon, Zeba Ali, Sehrish Bukhari, Konain Khan, Sana Khan, Abeer Adeel, male model Nabil Shaukat along with a lot of newer ones. The hair and make-up of the female models was by Sobia Mustafa and grooming of their male counterparts by Azeem Sani. All the show presentations were choreographed by Rezz Aly Shah.

Day 1

Kolaaj’s puritanical white collection featured whispers of Arabian influence and played with sheer volume. Earlier, opening the day were the students of Iqra University with outfits which heralded a foray into fashion but also showed that they are still wet behind the ears. Some pieces did manage to stand out due to sheer innovation.

Fashion Secrets by Ayesha Naveed was all about variations in fabric texture and their combination. Sanah of Glitters played around with concepts while sticking to traditional embellishments such as gota and sequins, while Mohsin Naveed Ranjha’s embroidered menswear shirts were a hit while the bridals failed to impress.

The highlight of the day were the three Bangladeshi designers — Emdadul Hoque (Black Beauty), Shahrukh Khan (Be Loved) and Mahmudul Hasan Mukul (Purity). Black Beauty featured black-and-gold saris, ghararas and tunics made from hand-woven fabric along with a menswear line. Be Loved encompassed a wider colour spectrum while employing the use of bling to jazz up the collection. Purity remained understated and stuck to somewhat dull lines.

Shaiyanne Malik’s bridals carried her signature style while Ittehad Textiles and Gul Ahmed both put on ramp classic collections that were stylized to perfection which not only focused on cuts, colours and fabric, but also brought lifestyles into focus by accessorising the overall look.

The students of GIFT University, Gujranwala were given the task of creating two garments each. Some hit the bull’s-eye with neon colours and, in particular, a ballgown worn by model Nadia Hussain but the others’ extreme takes on fashion did not work in their favour. Full marks for sheer effort though.

Sameer Ali’s vision of menswear featured chequered suits and in particular a blue two-piece spruced up by bold stripes and polka dots in white. Envogue Fashion by Hamida was a letdown while Shazia Kiyani of Shazia’s Bridal Gallery featured exotic bridal wear and trousseau pieces.

Day 2

As if taking cue from the bridals at the end of Day I, Usman Dittu showed his luxury pret and bridal wear. A number of pieces stood out here in terms of sheer innovation in cuts. In comparison, Nasia Zafar Koreishi’s (NZK Collection) breezy, layered tops sans embellishments stood out with an identity of their own. Worn with printed pants, the other pieces in the collection also won praising looks from fashionistas. Menswear designer Yahseer’s collection remained stylish and practical in terms of colours and contrasts.

Jewellery designer Nosheen Amir of Ennz showed Egyptian jewellery, gold necklaces, oversize pendants and a gigantic showstopper piece of jewellery worn by Nadia Hussain.

Kayseria’s printed shirts came with heavy accessorising — leather boots, gloves, fur caps — in what was its Winter 2013 collection.

Malaysian designer and accomplished artist Sharifah Kirana’s Noir had same-tone embellished net in black and white with contrast sequin work on some pieces paired with ball gowns and trail skirts to add drama on the ramp. The designer said she was inspired by the Pakistani shalwar kameez that she witnessed during her frequent trips here.

Exotic is the word that best describes Gul Ahmed’s resplendent pashmina prints, mini jackets, kameezes and handkerchief dresses while Abida Parveen Gallerie and Erum Khan also showed successfully.

Supermodel Nadia Hussain used the IFW ramp to make her debut as a designer with cocktail/party/evening wear whereas bridal couturier Sobia Zuha’s grand finale was again all about trousseau collections.