KARACHI: “The business of fashion is tough and we in Pakistan have far more hurdles to cross,” said FPW show director HSY when a blackout temporarily halted proceedings during the opening credits. FPW is in its fifth year now and has evolved to induct new talent and industry professionals who are taking the business of fashion ever further.

The show soon got under way nevertheless when the backup power system took over and Sadaf Malaterre opened Day Three with Contradiction, a collection based on colour extremes such as black and white, luxe fabric, a fine blend of eastern and western sensibilities while keeping her lines clear-cut, sleek and no-nonsense.

Maheen Karim’s collection was a showcase of inner beauty with outfits that ranged from body-hugging gowns and especially a gold number with a black sash to those with elaborate backs, a two-tone tail-skirt and kaleidoscopic prints.

At this point Fashion Council CEO Wardha Saleem came on stage to announce the winning designer of the Millenial Fashion show held last week at the Indus Valley School. Of the five designers who presented their debut collections, Madiha Raza won for her exotic and colourful take on tropical birds and was presented a bouquet by celebrated artist Shahnaz Ismail. Madiha will participate in FPW S/S 2015, according to an official communication.

Nida Azwer revisited the Renaissance era grandeur and royalty with two-tone outfits with laser-cut patterns, a charcoal gray layered skirt and others that played with sheer volume.

After the break, Mohsin Ali for Sana Safinaz showed his take on exotic couture pieces that diversified from cocktail dresses to more formal attire by experimenting with textures and silhouettes with his vision on fashion giving it that edgy look. The young, cocky designer played around with a vast colour palette and brought a certain freshness to the Sana Safinaz collection that was eagerly lapped up by die-hard fashionistas.

Faraz Manan’s Shanghai targetted the coming season of festivities with shocking silver, sheer blacks with a hint of pink, staple gold, a cropped jacket worked entirely in faux teardrop pearls.

Nauman Arfeen harked back to the era of grandeur and glory in Royal Parade with embroidered, printed and self-print sculpted jackets and front-open sherwanis before diversifying into women’s wear with a stunning beige number.

The element was denoted by walking canes and the rider’s whip to give it an elegant edge.

Fashion Pakistan spokesperson Deepak Perwani invited Rabia Javeri of TDAP who went on to give due credit to Maheen Khan by calling her the Coco Chanel of Pakistan and the Queen of Fashion who has changed fashion in the country from a cottage industry to a marketable trade, and acknowledged her lifelong commitment to fashion. “FPW was her initiative and we are extremely proud of her. It is also my understanding that this is to be her last runway but sincerely hope it is not so.

TDAP also hopes to take such shows to all over the world, starting with Dubai next year. Maheen is also the one to officially dress up Prince Charming who will be appearing in a Disney production of Cinderella,” added Ms Javeri.

Maheen Khan followed saying: “Fashion, you have been the love of my life. You have made me cry and laugh, and have inspired me daily. And Karachi, I love you!”

For the grand finale, fashion industry veteran Maheen Khan naturally chose to show Karachi I Love You, which was about everything we love about the city through the ages, including the ‘60s and ‘70s like trendy cafes, nightclubs, and a sense that fashion never sleeps in Karachi. Veteran and former models Atiya Khan, Frieha Altaf and Iraj Mansoor also walked for Maheen’s segment, bringing things to a nostalgic conclusion.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2014