The eighth PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week officially commenced on Saturday marks the twelfth fashion week platform initiated by the Pakistan Fashion Design Council. It is a direct manifestation of the Council’s commitment to sustainability and discipline within the fashion industry.
PSFW15 aims to define and present trends for 2015, focusing specifically on potential trends to be adopted during the hot summer months ahead. The styling, headed by the creative teams at Nabila’s and NGENTS, was simply breath-taking.
Day 1
With the end of the Qaumi Taranah, the crème de la crème of our society had settled in, ready to welcome the long awaited glamour and opulence of PSFW 2015. The show opener was none other than the birthday boy, Fahad Hussayn, who drew on the theme of nature yet maintaining his usual domineering themes this time ‘The Democrat’ (After Dominionatrix at FPW). While it was predictable in it’s silhouettes, Fahad played well with the nude/navy/black tones with the intricate beadwork and muted digital prints adding to the elegance of his outfits. We personally would have loved for Fahad to build on the hybrid cuts he showed at Swarovski and FPW however, the dominating piece remained the ball skirt.Cybil’s elaborate headgear for the finale definitely made her as one of the most memorable showstoppers as she sashed down the ramp with her radiating smile.
LOVED: The Accessories | NOT SO MUCH: The Maxi Skirt (FPW Hybrids were missed)
OVERHEARD: ‘Thank God there are no dead birds this time’.
This transitioned into Bank Alfalah’s Rising Talent including the showcasing of four budding designers: Hisham Malik, N.Qazi, Asrar and Nida Waqar. We must applaud their efforts as their collections showed potential and were pretty distinctive. The students seemed confident of their aesthetic and were not trying ‘too hard’ – a mistake that beginners tend to make. It was also a relief to see these designers not taking their themes too literally. Only time can tell how well they will be able to plan out their future in the fashion industry, For now, the showcase was extremely pleasantly surprising.
LOVED: The fresh perspective | MISSED: The rebel.
OVERHEARD: ‘No S&M inspired students?! Woah that’s refreshing’.
Misha Lakhani emanated femininity with billowy fabrics which simultaneously accentuated the delicate frames. The simplicity of the maxi dresses with their straight cuts was appealing and definitely worth having on the summer shopping list – be it the baby pinks, the mint green or the more cliché dark tones. The collection will be remembered for a few of the more memorable pieces and was all in all one of the stronger ones presented that night.
LOVED: The silhouettes | MISSED: Embellishment.
OVERHEARD: ‘How simple is too simple??’
Bold, vibrant patterns with a predominant tribal theme, à la totem pole prints, were presented by Zonia Anwar. A variation of styles were shown, catering to all types of dressing preferences which made it quite distinguished yet left one wondering what her own signature style is. The strips donned across the forehead added to the impact the collection had and were a lesson in how styling in itself can being a collection together and make it seem more cohesive.
LOVED: Styling | MISSED: That one memorable piece.
Four models strutted in ushering the start of Natasha Kamal’s segment clad in blacks and whites. A dash of red was thrown in along with ruffled organza tops and geometric patterns, showing slight influences of Islamic art. The flowing fabrics and the capes were stunning and very much in the summer spirit. The show was stolen by the showstoppers clad in gold, one of them being the one & only Hina Bayat, with the show ending with a very Grecian goddess feel to it and the other being the Turkish personality Nur Maden. The show marked a strong debut for the designer.
LOVED: The Ruffles | MISSED: Still wondering…
OVERHEARD: ‘One’s Hina Bayaat, who’s the other lady?!’
Nickie Nina showed a predominantly white collection with elaborate embroideries and beadwork accompanied by extensive floral patterns. It is necessary to add that while the pieces presented were intricately embellished the beauty of the separates was severely undermined by adding one piece over the other. It would have been good to see some of the pieces paired with plain shifts, tops or trousers.
LOVED: White on White | MISSED: Simplicity.
OVERHEARD: ‘Silence’.
Day 2
Muse has never let us down. The show opened with the focus directly on the bright aquamarine feathers lining of the skirt worn by first face, Cybil Chowdhry. This was followed by a range of silhouettes from the tea length and maxi skirts to dupion trousers paired with signature belts adding the quintessential Muse element to the outfits. The intricate bead work one is accustomed to seeing at MUSE added glamour to this disciplined and well balanced collection. A pop of bright fuchsia pink was introduced right when you started get a little impatient with the monochrome – girly, glamorous yet with a sex appeal, Day 2 safely went to MUSE right at the opening.
LOVED: The clarity of thought | MISSED: Nothing.
OVERHEARD: ‘I’m trying to find something to whine about’
MUSE was a tough act to follow. The talented duo, Saira & Shakira, did well – as customary. With a retro ambiance circa 1970’s, aptly created by the creative teams at work, flared plants and tassels were the highlight. The patterns were principally floral and further embellished with 3D flowers. Gillets seemed to be a closet essential and were brought on trend by adding tassels, giving the clothes a forever rippling look – soothing to oneself in the hot summers. While the designers presented a very well put together collection, it will still take time before their signature style becomes recognizable.
LOVED: The 70s Retro | MISSED: The Signature.
OVERHEARD: ‘Nice, but I had to look at the screen to see who it was’.
Digital prints, minimal embellishments and a refreshing range of marine tone colours ruled during Nida Azwer’s show. It was surely more Eastern themed than last time with the loosely draped fabrics embracing the feminine side. Although a beautiful collection, it was light on the eyes and we had personally hoped to see a stronger impact from Nida.
LOVED: The cool hues | MISSED: The impact.
OVERHEARD: ‘I’m so glad we have ready to wear ghararas now’.
Teena by Hina Butt presented an array of vibrant designs on white inspired by truck art (a la Rizwan Beyg). They had a very ethnic feel to it with the bold colour but lacked the innovation in silhouettes. The truck art theme has been done to death and unless a designer has a shockingly new perspective it is bound to come under criticism. With that being said, Teena by Hina Butt was a reasonable presentation comparable perhaps to some of the high street brands exploring the same aesthetic.
LOVED: The vibrant challenge | MISSED: The innovation.
The loud beats of the 90’s hit ‘Humma’ rang in the hall ushering in Zara Shahjahan’s collection. The traditional theme was present in all the outfits along with demure tones. She is onto something with the Nehru jackets, such as the one she wore on red carpet, however, it might make its way in the coming seasons if not now. Unfortunately, despite reflecting elements from some of her strongest influences in the past, vintage floral and tribals, the collection didn’t display the designers full potential.
LOVED: The Nehru Jacket | MISSED: New Silhouettes.
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Written by Eimaan Jawwad | Photography by Areesh Zubair
