KARACHI: The House of Maheen opened the fifth edition of Fashion Pakistan Week on Tuesday evening with the story of a bird with a collection based on the IUCN Red List.

Wisps of fabric structured to form a boa in striking colours against a mute outfit, parakect/canary yellow and feather prints with elaborate headgear in mesh, plazzos, play with draping, gold detailing, silhouettes and classic Maheen Khan cuts.

Also spotted in the collection were a halter top blouse and Ayyan jersey fabric blouse with Fawzia in a black version of the same, Nadia Hussain in a toga-inspired dress. Showstopper Fayezah Ansari in a sequined ivory bridal outfit brought an end to the presentation.

Metalistic by Deepak & Fahad showcased fun, funky wear, free-spirited and a bold collection with chains, rings, rocks, broaches, etc on a colour palette of ash, dark grey and blue denoting power and distinct energy in both menswear and women’s wear. Studded, cropped jackets, men’s kurtis, sheer kurtas and more comprised the diverse collection.

Zari Faisal’s vintage feel oil paintings inspired Plush collection dedicated to her  late cousin Rukaiya Yousuf featured pinks, corals, beiges and gold in mix and match, handwork and detailing. It featured metallic bustier, jewelled faux necklines on short dresses and more.

Orient Textile Mills Spring /Summer 2013 collection saw Egyptian cotton outfits making a fashion statement in spring fabric detailing what was dubbed as “a sensual discoveries of today’s diva”.

Amir Baig showed stripes that have been a design inspiration since the 1930s, and paid a rich tribute to over 150 years of the design element first featured on the uniform of French sailors. Ultra minis and fitted shorts with matching accessories along with flared, pleated skirts featured here.

Mona Imran employed vibrant animal prints inspired by the big cats in her Safari collection for confident woman with a handful of fantastical cuts.

Ayesha Hasan’s self-titled timeless pieces in marori, vasli, gota and aari work with hip foot accessories had some brilliant singular pieces shown to remix trance music. Shirts, capes with calligraphy graphics, hints of Islamic architectural motifs with silhouettes and cuts kept the collection interesting. Nadia Hussain in a ganga jamini gota long coat in wine red was just a few of the outfits that brought the designer’s pret, couture and bridal influences to the ramp.

Show Two

After a short break, the Show Two segment of the first day opened with Ahsan Nazir’s global remix, a jumble of print and embroidery and contemporary bazaar followed by Emraan Rajput’s grey-tone collection with minimal thread embellishments. Other designers who displayed their collections included Aamna Aqeel, Rizwanullah, Faiza Saqlain and Baani D.

Day Two will feature the design takes of Shameel Ansari, Arsalan and Yasheer, Ayesha Ibrahim, Kayseria, Obaid Shaikh, Ishtiaq Afzal, Sania Maskatiya, Sana Safinaz, Gul Ahmed, Hajra Hayat, Jafferjees, Hasina Khanani, Nauman Arfeen and Deepak Perwani.

According to an official communication, the fifth edition of the two-day FPW will showcase spring/summer collections from 27 mainstream and upcoming designers, retailers and textile houses and will feature 13 fashion-packed shows daily. The make-up and styling is by Saba Ansari and her team at Sabs Salon.

Furthermore, it was also mentioned officially that FPW5 will also celebrate the achievements of participating fashion talent through three awards. Member designers of the council will judge featured Pakistani fashion talent with three accolades during the show: Emerging Talent Award, (to recognise the efforts of up and coming fashion talent); The Diamond Designer Award (to celebrate the lifetime contributions of a designer to Pakistan’s fashion industry over a period of 18-20 years and The Best Collection Award (based on voting done via the council’s Facebook page).