KARACHI: The lull period is finally over, it seems, when it comes to fashion weeks for following hot on the heels of the three-day Pantene Hum Bridal Couture Week, held earlier this month in Lahore, is the two-day Secret Garden Fashion Pakistan Week Spring/Summer ‘21, albeit a much smaller, toned-down outdoor affair hosting 13 designers and fashion labels, and being held at an expansive, privately-owned lawn facility.

The designers who showed on Day One of FPW were Umsha by Uzma Babar, Mubashara Najam, Diners, Sadaf Malaterre, Aleena Farina, Tabassum Mughal and jewellery designer Sundas Talpur.

Actress Sarwat Gillani, the brand ambassador for Special Olympics Pakistan, shed light on the achievements of special athletes on gaining recognition and accolades for Pakistan. She called out Ronaq Lakhani for her proud achievements in this regard.

Umsha by Uzma Babar featured light tones in luxe fabric with minimal embellishments and layering. The floral headpieces entwined with hairstyles denoted the S/S theme for FPW. Sadly, there was little that worked in the limited collection. Amar Khan walked for the designer. Certainly not a great opening act on Day One after the extended fashion lull.

‘Kalah’ by Mubashara Najam saw heavily embellished flora and fauna patterns denoting lotus blooms and swans on a bed of pastels and eastern cuts with a few western variations. Kiran Malik was the choice of showstopper in this segment.

The menswear fashion brand Diners displayed well-crafted casual and formal suits and eastern-wear Sherwanis and shalwar kameezes with some snazzy variations for the hip younger crowd in an attempt to attract the young, fashionable metrosexual. All in all, it was a well-thought-out, crafted and assembled line.

Sadaf Malaterre’s retro sense of style was reflected in her essentially western wear with myraid cuts from flowy to body-hugging with ruffles, sashes, and the male models imparting a strong social message with #No Dog Culling emblazoned on the backs of their white shirts.

Aleena Farina, although relatively newer on the catwalk, introduced us to full-on bling heaven in pastels and blacks with ruffle contrasts, dori work, long jackets, separates and short capes. Impressive catwalk debut and one that holds a lot of promise, to say the least.

Tabassum Mughal came out of self-imposed hibernation to produce her signature pomp and fervour along with elaborate headpieces, Greco-Roman toga-inspired cuts in luxe fabrics, ornate necklines, diva silhouettes, and classic opera and evening wear with sheer backs, and the classic Tabassum Mughal bride resplendent in traditional red velvet, all played out to the floating tunes of Bella Ciao. A thumbs-up comeback.

Jewellery brand Sundus Talpur produced chunky jewellery pieces in gold and silver, in necklaces, earrings and bracelets that could spruce up any dull outfit with its sheer aura and glam quotient.Show direction and production as well as backstage management of FPW is by Adnan Ansari of Riwayat, with hair and make-up of the models by Depilex and Depilex Men.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2021