LAHORE: The 11th Pakistan Fashion Design Council (PFDC) Sunsilk Fashion Week began at Expo Centre amidst the spring of colours and styles on Friday.

The inaugural day of prêt-a-porter shows featured a grouped show of PEL Craft/Design Show with Gold by Reama Malik and Hira Ali in Hall A and another grouped show featuring Hussain Rehar, Arjumand Bano and Sania Maskatiya in Hall B.

The fashion week got unveiled introducing a brand new show. It was dedicated to the curation and projection of indigenous craft within high-end design, in collaboration with PEL: introducing the PEL Craft/Design Show with Gold by Reama Malik.

Sehyr Saigol, PFDC chairperson, curated four designers who showcased four ensembles. Showcasing four-piece capsule collections each during this show were Akif Mahmood, Hamza Bokhari, Shahroz Tariq and Zonia Anwaar along with jewellery by Gold by Reama Malik.

Jewellery brand Gold presented Gold Lure, a collection inspired by the regional craft specific to Pakistan debuting at the show. Gold Lure featured jewellery for the modern contemporary women, casual as well as trendy evening wear, all made in pure gold and semi-precious stones. The collection was divided into four segments - Feroza, Coral, Pearl and Gold.

The capsule collection ‘Senchi’ by Zonia Anwaar for Ahan reflected rich cultural hues with old school ‘neelak phulkari’ and geometric patterns revitalized in the signature embroidery techniques.

Shahroz Tariq Khan showcased his capsule collection titled ‘Pixelated Euphoria’ for the segment. Inspired by the 8-Bit Pixel Art, Tariq translated the pixelated graphics into the euphoric feel of spring summer. The collection came in fabrics such as pure cottons, linens, cotton net, organza with cross-stitch and trendy and minimal cuts infused with eastern and western fusion.

Jeem by Hamza Bokhari’s capsule collection for this segment titled ‘East Bound’ was inspired by the craft of Bahawalpur. Including 4-menswear pieces as well, Bokhari used breathable fabrics for ‘East Bound’ such as chambrays, light weight silks and cottons with cotton thread embroideries. Akif Mahmood closed the segment with his craft inspired capsule collection.

Fashion house ‘Hira Ali Studios’ showcased the Luxury Prét collection ‘Woman is Future’. The collection was a celebration of strong confident women. The collection presented contemporary silhouettes using a variety of fabrics such as cottons, crepe and organza net. The embroidery consisted of experimental techniques using crystals and nets as well as silk threads and various beads and crystals. The colour palette comprised of white reds to rose dust to ice blue and beige.

Hussain Rehar showcased his collection ‘Sunken reverie’, inspired by the aquatic influence with intricately detailed ensembles, complexity of forms and its multiple interpretations of fabric. The collection had accented striped blazers, jackets highlighted with zippers, sheer net skirts and stockings. With floor length dresses and stripes hanging off with delicate embroideries encapsulating wild sea creatures, the colour palette was also inspired from those living beings that lie hidden under the sea. Featuring jackets with cutout metal rings and accent trims highlighting them surrounded with chunky 3D embellishments, these rings are associated with sea sponges with threads hanging out like tentacles. The silhouettes were uplifting packed with detail, saturated with a diverse color combination.

Arjumand Bano made her debut with her Luxury Prét collection ‘My Head is The Jungle’. The collection drew inspiration from the song ‘My Head is a Jungle’ by Emma Louise. She worked with bold rich botanical prints and textures. The collection had a wide range of silhouettes that included jumpsuits, dresses, jackets and trenches. The collection consists of floral motifs, jewelled animal motifs, 3D embellishments and accessories.

Fashion house Sania Maskatiya showcased the Luxury Prét collection, Colour Dash. The showcase was complemented by jewellery from Allure by MHT with footwear from Charles & Keith and music by DJ Shah Munir. The fashion house brought their signature asymmetrical cut-lines and drapes composed of a myriad of colours in patchwork silhouettes with bold craftsmanship and class that characterised the Sania Maskatiya woman.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2018