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Clothes make the woman
Allawala’s collection in ivory constituted another delightful segment. The pristine beauty of the palette, off-set by work in rich hues of silver, gold, turquoise, rust or peach appeared soothing. Particularly worth mentioning was a mint-green kameez worn over a white ‘lehnga’, its bottom intricately worked in green
Karachiites were recently treated to a rare fashion event that showcased ensembles that not just looked good on the ramp but could also be put to practical use in formal parties and weddings. What’s more, the event was a classy yet simple affair, well put together and sans any frilly themes or entertainment that have become the hallmark of fashion shows these days.
The designer, Neelo Allawala is a discreet yet well-known name in fashion circles who has maintained a low profile in spite of being around for well over a decade. Her collection on display ranged from western wear — handkerchief skirts, capris, ponchos and cigarette pants — to formal eastern wear and heavily embellished bridals. While not every piece was stunning, the oeuvre was by and large impressive and offered something for all tastes, be it modern or traditional.
The opening line comprised semi-formal western wear — although a sari had also been thrown in for good measure — with asymmetrical shirts, layered chiffon tops over short skirts, wispy tops worn over capris and flared pants with a sherwani top. The oeuvre was marked by smart cuts, tasteful colour combinations and an aesthetic fusion of embroidery and printed fabric.
The various shades of yellow exhibited in the opening segment gave way to a more formal range in black and bronze and a bolder palette. Gypsy skirts, sequined pants, capri trousers and low-backed tops abounded in this segment. Next came long coats worn over either plain or fully-worked kameezs. Varying in fabric from flimsy gauzes to richer materials, the coats elegantly complemented the kameezs worn beneath. The contrasting colour schemes — maroon with bronze, white with brown — added to their appeal. Worn over figure-hugging pants or capris, the ensemble presented a slim and elegant silhouette.
The segments showcasing traditional embellished attires included a lone jamawar shalwar worn with a contrasting kameez, a sequined sari with a fully-worked bustier supported by diamante straps and flowing lehngas and ghararas. One striking ensemble that comes to mind is a sea-green and magenta lehnga worn with a beige kameez and a sea-green dupatta.
Allawala’s collection in ivory constituted another delightful segment. The pristine beauty of the palette, off-set by work in rich hues of silver, gold, turquoise, rust or peach appeared soothing. Particularly worth mentioning was a mint-green kameez worn over a white lehnga, its bottom intricately worked in green.
My personal favourite though, was a heavily embroidered white kameez and dupatta, the only colour in the upper garment lent by the discreet green and turquoise piping underlining the edges, complemented by the motifs in hues of green on the bottom of the lehnga. It must be said that the jewellery sported by the models, designed by Ali Javeri, was a wasted effort on the show, as most of it did not complement the outfits and failed to make an impact on the overall look.
The only piece of jewellery that actually matched the clothes it was worn with (a turquoise and off-white kameez) was sported by Iraj toward the end of the show.
Frieha Altaf deserves kudos for putting together a well-arranged show with flawless choreography, music, lighting and an impressive backdrop. However, the one jarring element throughout was the choice of compere. Her pronounced accent, reminiscent of the ones listeners get to hear most of the time on the various FM channels, didn’t gel well with the otherwise classy affair.
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