PFDC concludes, portrays women as exotic beings

Published April 30, 2013
Designer: Rizwan Beyg, dozens of designers, brands and textile houses are presenting their collections during the four-day Lahore Fashion Week sponsored by the Pakistan Fashion Design Council.–Photo by AP
Designer: Rizwan Beyg, dozens of designers, brands and textile houses are presenting their collections during the four-day Lahore Fashion Week sponsored by the Pakistan Fashion Design Council.–Photo by AP
Designer: Nickie Nina.–Photo by AP
Designer: Nickie Nina.–Photo by AP
Models present creation of a designer Ali Xeeshan during Lahore Fashion Week.–Photo by AP
Models present creation of a designer Ali Xeeshan during Lahore Fashion Week.–Photo by AP

LAHORE: The Central Asian landscape was inspiration for opening designer Faiza Samee’s collection of short and mid-length tunics and bias cuts that saw a fusion of stripes with polka dots and geometric prints on Day Four, which was also the last day of the PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week.

Maheen Karim showed flirty silhouettes in her luxury resort wear full of fun and frolic featuring flowy summer dresses, kaftan dresses and more. Embroidered front panel shirts, fine brocade long coats, pants, mix and match fabric along with multi-aqua hue dresses with one worn with a chunky, blingy necklace by model Mehreen Syed stood out here.

BizXcess was the promotion of new talent featuring the design sensibilities of Mahgul for Qasreen Sheikh, Schhrezade, Syed Mohsin Ali, Arooj Ahmed, Danial Sandhu and Hamza Bokhari. Sara Shahid in her note of thanks noted that the promotion of new and young talent was the key objective of the PFDC and it was only then that the business of fashion would truly flourish. She invited Kamiar Rokhni on stage and added that he had been working with the amateur designers for six weeks to showcase their collections. Rokhni said the aim was to show something new and diverse in a creative manner, noting that organic, natural and eco-friendly fabric and a new spin of world culture were among the themes presented.

Ali Xeeshan presented Jalsa-i-Ishq with a monochrome collection with contrast features in a signature theatrical environment. Western and eastern influences were fused as well as presented individually here in an all-white colour palette with multi-texturing. Showstopper Meesha Shafi in a kundan-worked bridal bagged the spotlight towards the end.

Others lined up to show after the break included Khaadi Khaas, Muse, Wardha Saleem and Hassan Sheheryar Yasin.

Day 2 & 3: revival of truck art

Earlier, two entirely different takes on truck art, one by Lahore-based Yahsir Waheed on Day Two of the ongoing PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week and another very diverse collection by Karachi-based Rizwan Beyg on Day Three, brought into re-focus the vibrant and thriving art of painted flora and fauna back to the high fashion ramp.

On Day Two, the prêt shows started off with Shehla Chatoor’s soigné featuring Renaissance-era inspiration, Greek antiquity, signature prints, Grecian silhouettes and golden gladiator sandals all coming together in print short skirts with the liberal use of neon green in classic SC silhouettes and accessorised with chunky gold jewellery. Sadaf Maleterre in an orange print dress stood out among other models in cocktail/evening dresses, some of them finished off with tassles in halter top, off-shoulder cuts.

Somal Halepoto heralded spring with soft pastels, shirts, poncho-style tunics, silks etc but lacked consistency in her design element.

Ayesha Farooq Hashwani’s prêt resort collection featured separates, dresses, bright colours, print trousers in a collection she described as feminine, timeless and elegant. Embroidered front-panel skirt worn over mustard top, bling motifs, a black dress with kimono sleeves with two-tone worked trousers in black and rust, a beige two-tone number worn by model Fayezah Ansari stood out here. The designer put one fabulous outfit after another on the ramp all bearing the AFH mark, superlative style and the seal of approval. Model Nadia Hussain’s beige and black print dress had just the right amount of sensuality set off by bling to make heads turn and attract envious looks. A triumph in design.

Nickie Nina Byzantine and medieval heraldry featured bold prints, metallics, laser-cut necklines and hemlines besides separate backs.

The freedom movement of women during the ’50s and ’60s and its influence on the later decades besides the safari suit was inspiration enough for Karachi-based Feeha Jamshed to bring forth her black-and-white print heaven in checks, stripes, animal prints, high-waisted baggy silver pants fastened at the ankles and worn by model Fia, and much more.

Yahsir Waheed’s paid rich tributes to the folk art of Pakistan, more specifically truck art, with his oversized trousers, wise shoulders, boxy waistcoats etc by keeping it clean cut and accessorised by tie belts. Print dresses, fabric detailing, a pink and orange sleeveless jumpsuit and no-nonsense cuts and silhouettes kept the entire collection interesting. A black, pleated and layered see-thru number worn over a print outfit was notably visible.

Special person and artist extraordinaire Omar Rahman and his works were the subject of focus next. Asifa & Nabeel showed tapered silhouettes in Colour of Achievement. Expressing inspiration and heartfelt dedication to Rahman and his work, a Jaipur paisley menswear sherwani in green with a worked neckline and worn over beige, khaddi fabric pants by model Mohammed Mubarak stood out in the extremely diverse collection.

Finally, Fahad Hussayn’s Prodigy collection was inspired by the mythical world of Praxus in edgy prints, metallics, worked over print dresses, full-bodied skirts and select menswear showing his dark, goth roots with a more lighter influence. Coat of arms motifs and a showstopper metallic, feathered short dress featured here. The other models sporting elaborate headdresses with stuffed birds of prey as centerpieces drew somewhat curious looks. The hair and make-up on Day Two was by Toni & Guy.

On Day Three, it was hard to top the design sensibilities of the opening designer Rizwan Beyg and it stood true for the rest of the day even with big names such as Sana Safinaz, Adnan Pardesy, Karma and Layla Chatoor also included in the lineup.

Beyg’s personalised interpretation of truck art consisted of deconstructed tailoring, ragged handkerchief hemlines, flora and fauna imprints, full boots bearing the full onslaught of vibrant and lively desi art accessorised by oversize bags, handbags, slim belts, menswear waistcoats with hoodies, jackets, jeans, platform heels, shoes, stilettos, laptop bags and much more. On a base of white, he brought a whole new purity to the colourful art, making it stand out even more while keeping the cuts interesting and most silhouettes flared.

Zonia Anwaar’s Moscow’s Kremlin-inspired colour palette had cowl backs and practical silhouettes, the common thread running through the line.

The 1880s inspiration of floral and animal motifs coupled with high hemlines, classy chic for a fresh and flowy feel with careful attention to detail best described Nida Azwer’s wearable line.

Young designer Mohsin Ali’s sponsored segment of minimalism featured black and white and fluorescent colour-inspired geometrical and pixel prints set off by gold edging and sequined, oversize floral motifs while keeping the cuts highly interesting and experimental. He is also the beneficiary of the Young Fashion Forward Initiative. The hair and make-up on the last two days was by Maram Aabroo.

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