KARACHI: Wednesday, day two of Fashion Pakistan Week S/S’18 showcased collections by Deepak Perwani, Saira Shakira, Rozina Munib, Boheme by Kanwal, Nauman Arfeen, Natasha Kamal and AFH by Ayesha Farook.

Opening designer Deepak Perwani showed his collection ‘Black is the New White’ inspired by the oriental rose. Promoting black to the status of white, the outfits recreated the ongoing summer romance with flowy silhouettes and silks with peep shoulders and tassels. Bold prints made a style statement in women’s wear while smart jackets and kotis stood out in the menswear. Actress Sarwat Gilani walked for the designer.

Saira Shakira’s bling-infested ‘Winds of Summer’ festive wear in pastels with panelled embroideries were run-of-the-mill and only stood out in terms of sheer wearability. The styling was sadly missing which could have elevated it a notch further. The jewellery was by Aura Art.

Rozina Munib with ‘Glamorama’ showed outfits embellished with 3D flowers, Swarovski elements, metal strips and sequins on full-bodied skirts, off-shoulder tops, cocktail dresses, kimono tops and frilly capes. The petite Neelam Munir seemed overwhelmed and almost lost under the yards and yards of a shimmery midnight blue gown with oversized shoulder frills.

Boheme by Kanwal harked back to the days of her visiting puppeteers as a child. Drawing from the experience, ‘Kathputli Tamasha’ banked on hand embroideries of Sindh and rilli craft to produce colourful jackets and dresses bearing the hallmark of rich rural Sindh handicrafts with painstaking mirror work and patchwork. Ajrak print on a black sari, imagery and puppet figurines spruced up the presentation with singer Zoe Viccaji’s showstopper ballgown incorporating all the elements and the essence of the traditional form of puppetry.

Nauman Arfeen’s ‘Between the Lines’ featured a monochrome palette in traditional wear, suits with embroidered logos and striped cottons with accessories all with a hint of green for that patriotic streak. All very millennial, very powerful, and a befitting tribute to the Special Olympics winners of Pakistan.

Natasha Kamal with ‘Ebru’s’ marble imagery and prints on myriad cuts and silhouettes was her Paris Fashion Week collection revisited and which breezed in an era of fashionable outfits that were an extension of her personality and style sense. The result was spectacular on almost all counts.

Ayesha Farook for AFH presented glam resort wear with vibrant prints, bold embroidered appliqués and a fresh colour palette. She made sweeping fashion statements befitting real-life divas and scored on the count of high fashion meeting comfort and femininity.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2018