Day three and the finale of the groundbreaking ‘Catwalk Cares’ Virtual Fashion Show was filled with high-voltage glamour and star power including uber-luxe sartorial showcases by fashion royalty and showstopper appearances by Sarwat Gilani, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Ayesha Omer and Kiran Malik.
The couture king of kaleidoscopic colour Nomi Ansari opened episode three and said he was happy to see the whole fashion industry, designers, models, team-Nabila and Catwalk forging together united and supporting the front-liners and the industry, while remaining strong and supporting one another. He also spoke about the difficulty of the ration distribution work he was involved in but exulted about Pakistan being “an amazing nation”. Equally elegant and graceful was the four-looks “Festive Couture” capsule of signature Nomi Ansari pieces modeled by Ansari’s favourite muse veteran super-model Fauzia Amaan including a shimmery midnight blue sari worn with a backless cut-out blouse; a classic twirly can-can sharara in pastel floral hues; a black and silver glittery lehngha choli and a pastel floral kaleidoscopic sharara with matching sleek top. Ebullient bright and uplifting the capsule exuded effortless glamour.
Safinaz Muneer of powerhouse fashion giant Sana Safinaz felt Catwalk Cares was “an amazing initiative” and thanked Frieha Altaf while continuing to “pray for the front-liners”. The label’s three piece fusion couture capsule “Anatalya” was inspired by Greco Roman statues and, draping techniques from classical antiquity and modeled by dusky Maha Taharani who paid tribute to the front-liners using luxurious georgette and a colour palette of deep solid hues which were transposed onto contemporary and minimalistic silhouettes embellished with pearls and crystals in floral motifs, and accessorized with hand cut brooches and belts. These included an inky-navy blue asymmetric cold -shoulder georgette shirt artfully draped and cinched at the waist for all the right reasons with a crystal and pearl, floral motif hand cut brooch accentuating the waistline. Matching flared pants completed this signature Sana Safinaz East meets West couture look.In a maximalist shade of crimson, a fiery georgette shirt took a cue from draping techniques used in classical antiquity with an antique silver hand- made belt encircling one side of the waist with the accompanying red raw silk pants adding texture and interest.Finally with a free flowing silhouette for fuss -free glamour, a jewel toned forest green shirt was adorned at the navel with a silver hand- cut fluttering butterfly in incandescent silver crystals with the front -open shirt worn over elegant forest- green pants creating an elongated and sleek look. Classic Sana Safinaz elegance and high-voltage glamour at its finest.
Sonya Battla the maven of minimalism said she was excited to be part of ‘Catwalk Cares’ and thought the exercise was “a considerate and well thought out effort to celebrate the brave front-liners while bringing the industry together and challenging it to be creative while observing social distancing during the lockdown”. Battla’s three piece capsule collection “Chawkhandi” was inspired by the embossed clay etching found at the historic Chaukhandi Tombs and wove together classic prints and Springtime hues for timeless ready- to-wear pieces in pure cotton paired with elegant chiffon dupattas. Battla’s muse was actor and social activist Sarwat Gilani whose own minimalist personal style mirrors that of the designer. Sarwat effortlessly glided in an easy breezy day look in a deep carnation hue; matching white separates that can be dressed up or down depending on one’s mood, and lastly a classic black number that boosts one’s evening style up a notch. With a timeless aesthetic each of the pieces that focus on the draping of the fabric and how it complements the body are closet staples leaving room for one to accessories and play around with one’s individual aesthetic. Classic, versatile and easy breezy elegance for myriad occasions. Sarwat Gilani while shown to be practicing her ten steps catwalk said she was extremely proud and excited to be part of Catwalk Cares and “saluted the front-liners who worked tirelessly to ensure that we all stay safe and healthy” and further lauded Catwalk Cares as “Fashion with a Cause!”
Omar Farooq, Creative Director of multiple award-winning menswear label Republic opined that he thought Catwalk Cares was “a brilliant initiative and very creative of Frieha Altaf who is always good at what she does”. Republic also used a celebrity showstopper in the form of TV and film heartthrob Mikaal Zulfiqar who dazzled in a navy blue cotton shalwar kurta worn with a midnight blue tropical wool waistcoat embossed with a hand-embroidered Republic emblem-logo. Mikaal while shown to groom himself backstage hoped that “we would soon revert to the old normal from this new normal “and said he would continue to send his “salaans and duas to the brave front-liners.”The other two pieces in Republic’s capsule “Majorelle”, which was inspired by the ebullience of botanical gardens were worn by supernova model Walid Siddiqui and included a sky blue short kurta worn with slim pants and faded inky and botanical hued embossed waistcoat and a similar white and grey combo. Smart, sleek and fashion- forward ‘Majorelle ‘ also exuded an uplifting positivity.
Global glam-couturier Faraz Manan said he felt that Catwalk Cares was a “symbol of hope and resilience” while supporting and paying respect to the brave front-liners and his participation was about what he and his label do best: “remaining positive”. His summer couture capsule which had an easy breezy resort vibe imbibed the essence of the signature classic Faraz Mannan aesthetic and was modeled by his close friend and muse;, actor, model , fashion entrepreneur and all round stylista Kiran Malik. The three piece capsule included a sleek, shimmery ivory Grecian draped sari hybrid; a breezy cream bell-sleeved opera overlay coat worn with slim pants and a short tunic and a soft canary sleeveless shirt tunic worn with flared pants. Kiran who was seen to be making up her face with ZERO.com make up by Nabila the makeup partner for ‘Catwalk Cares’ said she was super excited to be part of the virtual fashion show and thanked Nabila for tutoring her for her makeup look while paying tribute to the brave front-liners.
The finale designer bridal couturier Shehla Chatoor who said she was excited to be part of an exercise that united the Fashion world introduced her luminous collection “Noor: The Divine Light”; a light of hope to counter the bleak pandemic. Using rich fabric including gossamer tulle and pure organza, in luminescent hues of ash grey and cream-white, two stunning handcrafted ensembles were fashioned into sleek, contemporary silhouettes and beautifully embellished with, intricate, rich traditional embroidery including Zardosi, thread-work, mirror-work and deft cut-work elements dovetailed with modern pearl and Swarovski accents and modeled by statuesque supernova model Mushk Kaleem of whom Shehla says “her fiery elegance lights up Shehla’s clothes” ushering in a fresh modern nuance to the Fashion world, the individual objects d’art-paired with coordinating jeweled protective masks, using signature Shehla embroideries and silhouettes were offset with contemporary details such as sculpted organza ruffles, scallops and voluminous pleating details that offered an element of refreshing vivacity, captivating glamour and versatility. To further represent this seamless blend of the bold and the elegant Shehla chose actor, host singer and fashionista Ayesha Omer as her showstopper calling her “the ultimate Shehla Chatoor IT girl. Ayesha dazzled in a floral embroidered can-can sharara skirt paired with a sleek backless stomach-baring long-sleeved blouse end noted with an Elizabethan type ruffle made from fresh flowers. Exquisite, regal and uber-glamorous ’Noor’ was effervescently uplifting, radiating both hope and ebullience.
The Catwalk Cares Virtual Fashion Show ended on a positive high note with images and footage of the brave front-liners in their PPE suits posing together and receiving Eid outfits by participating designers at Indus Hospital and the Expo Center from Frieha Altaf CEO of Catwalk Events & Production whose innovative brainchild and CSR effort united the Fashion industry and entertained the Pakistani populace for three days. Especially touching and befitting were the final appreciative claps of gratitude by the participating designers, celebrities and models thanking the brave front-liners for their brave service.
Pakistan Zindabad!
Watch Pakistan’s first ever “Catwalk Cares” Virtual Fashion Show Day 03/Episode 03 below :
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