KARACHI: There couldn’t have been a more perfect setting as the legendary and iconic Karachi’s landmark Mohatta Palace was bathed in the brand’s trademark hues of Bank Alfalah to mark and celebrate the launch of the BNPL (buy now, pay later) app titled Alfa Mall.

But why host a fashion show to mark such a launch? The app enables its users to make a wide array of purchases, including certain fashion brands that were not recognised or on the retail radar of credit providing set-ups, case in point a brand set up by certain rural women artisans from Sindh’s forlorn areas of Khairpur and Mithi dealing in traditional handicrafts such as rallis and hand-embroidered women’s wear, thereby eliminating the middle man and making their crafts conveniently accessible to willing urban paying customers.

After addressing the attendees and the presentation of show reels by the representatives, it was finally time for the master of ceremonies Faizan Haque to announce the opening designer for the night, Deepak Perwani, who showcased his bridal/festive-wear sustainable capsule collection with elements of Sindhi mirror work and metallic embellishments on fabrics which used locally intricately dyeing techniques.

The choreography for the ramp shows was by Frieha Altaf and the hair and make-up of the female models, and grooming of male models, by Nabila’s Salon.

Celebrated designer Munib Nawaz chose to show a more fashion-forward collection and the line-up included western wear with experimental cuts and silhouettes, while further experimenting with fabrics and looks.

Young, enterprising designer Parishae Adnan for the House of Amir Adnan went back to the basics with eastern festive wear while playfully experimenting with tradition to create something new and out of the ordinary in terms of looks and silhouettes.

The segment by Ali Javeri showcased brilliant bridal wear jewellery as model after model bedecked in ornate chokers and heavy necklaces encrusted with diamonds, rubies, emeralds and pearls in white gold setting sparkled and shone forth, drawing rave responses from the audience present.

Finally, HSY brought an end to the fashion presentation by showing a choice collection bearing the designer’s trademark look and heavy formals in classic eastern and fusion silhouettes.

After a buffet spread on the elegant and sprawling lawns of the Mohatta Palace that included fusion and contemporary dining experiences, guests were ushered back to the stage area where the popular music man Asim Azhar rocked away the remainder of the night by belting out some of his popular tunes, which saw many among the audience enjoying themselves against the perfect setting of the historic and majestic summer retreat palace.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2024