The last day at FPW (which couldn’t be included in the main story last week due to time restrictions) revealed some pleasant surprises, rounding off the three-day ‘week’ with an aesthetic balance that was severely lacking when it started.

Making the connection between showings and sales, the exclusive brand of handcrafted crocheted garments — Delphi (by Nida Tapal and Nargis Kiani) — was to make a runway debut on the last day. While crocheted garments may have a very niche market, the finesse with which the collection was designed showcased its strength and was quite impressive.

High street brand FnkAsia by Huma Adnan took an innovative trip to Africa by including customised weaves and fringes into the Autumn/Winter forecast. This was the brand’s most innovative collection to date and introduced streamlined silhouettes as opposed to flare and drape that it is usually associated with.

Maheen Karim, however, opened the day with one of its strongest shows. Her take on winter luxury prêt was centralised in fluid gowns, blazers and silhouettes perfect for the party season. Hints of power dressing were introduced through military inspirations and they added a novelty value to the glamorous collection.

Misha Lakhani — also making a debut at FPW — failed to make an impact for her brand. This collection lacked cohesion and came across as a selection from her store rather than a conceptualised effort.

Fashion Week ended with the Karachi 6 show, which basically featured six of the city’s established designers: Shamaeel, Sadaf Malaterre, Deepak Perwani, Shehla Chatoor, Amir Adnan and Maheen Khan. This show could have been called déjà vu because it displayed flashbacks of old collections and except for the capsule put out by Shehla Chatoor, nothing appeared fresh or new.

Shehla Chatoor, who should have extended her capsule into a full collection and done the grand finale, showcased eight perfectly designed pieces done on silk screen prints and accessorised with her signature gold mesh.

Opinion

Editorial

Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...
Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...