KARACHI: Rizwan Beyg opened Day 2 of the ongoing Pantene Hum Showcase with Chandi (Silver). It was in line with most of his previous collections also shown on international catwalks where the celebrated couturier has employed local crafts and materials — truck art and niwar, a homegrown product and widely used organic fibre woven into thick strips and used in the making of local beds known as charpoys.

High-end couture crafted from denim and Swiss lawn supplemented by Irish linen formed the basis of Rizwan’s Chandi collection on Thursday evening, with his trademark floral embroidery in rich silver. The motifs were inspired from Hungarian folk art and the collection was the designer’s homage to the local silversmiths and our silver jewellery heritage.

Overall Chandi was breathtaking with plenty of oomph and shock value. It made for a knockout ramp presentation with superstars and screen darlings Ahsan Khan and Hareem Farooq walking for Rizwan Beyg.

Fashion powerhouse Faiza Samee’s The Indigo Madder/Experiment attempted to revive and bring into focus the over 5,000-year-old dyeing processes of the subcontinent which are gradually fading out. The collection was produced by fermenting the naturally found indigo leaf and madder produced in the Sindh region in clay vats and then treating it on textiles such as handloom-woven cottons and silks, including velvets and brocades, by applying different techniques.

The cuts, silhouettes and embellishments were kept strictly traditional with angarkha and Hyderabadi influences, and with flowing full-length dupattas, something not witnessed very often on the ramp these days.

Munib Nawaz’s Sinnerman was about clothing interchange between men and women and about stepping out of gender stereotypes. It was a representation of love, respect and engaging with the opposite sex.

Colours and silhouettes formed the basis of the strong collection featuring Aamna Ilyas draped in a patent leather coat and the palette inspired by night skies, dusty stars and early mornings.

Nickie Nina’s Mehrunisa (Light of the Universe) was an ode to the Mughal Empress Nur Jehan. It attempted to exude confidence, courage and charisma with soft tones and modern cuts finished off with chequered contrast embroidery, silk thread tassels and embellishments of real pearls, Swarovski crystals and feathers. Urwa Hocane walked for the designer duo.

Shahla Rahman of Unbeatable showed Iridescent in cool and breezy, clingy summer fabrics with detailed cuts and elements of pearl in the embellishments.

Kuki Concept’s Dora Sayath (Tour) menswear was inspired by his travels to Turkey and New York.

Jackets bearing floral and butterfly impressions along with trousers, waistcoats, kurtas and t-shirts in earth tones, greys and blacks summed up the collection.

Zonya Anwaar’s Verso was kept fabulously minimal and simplistic with clean cuts, horizontal and vertical stripes, breezy cottons, denim blues, tranquil mints and whites. Shirt collars on halter tops, peekaboo shoulders and kaftan tops stole the spotlight for the designer.

HSY’s Musafir (traveller) focused on millenials and their mentors to help guide them through life. It was symbolised by light, breathable fabrics, wooden beads and easygoing cuts bereft of anything weighing it down, and favoured by the young crowd for a night out on the town.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2018