The pioneering Fashion Pakistan Council kicked off Fashion Pakistan Week’s Spring/Summer 2018, paving the way for revolutionary designers whilst marking the trends of the season. The first day of the two-day event was held on the 10th of April at the Pearl Continental Marquee in Karachi.
Continuing the tradition, this season’s fashion take was glamorously glitzy with a line-up of 15 designers, eight of whom showcased their collection on the first day. The show was opened by Maheen Khan displaying the latest trends from her brand Gulabo followed by Huma Adnan for FnKAsia, Cheena Chhapra, Hasan Riaz, Yasmeen Jiwa, The Pink Tree Company, Amir Adnan and Farah Talib Aziz.
Prior to the show, leading celebrities and designers were seen mingling at the gorgeously designed purple and white Physiogel booth where Nadia Hussain, actress and model engaged the audience in conversations revolving around fashion, their personal style, beautiful skin and talked about the who’s who of fashion. Physiogel’s range of Daily Defence, Calming Relief and Moisture Therapy were on display so attendees could experience first-hand the soft-smooth skin effect. Many also experienced the innovative bio-mimic technology that targets skin issues according to each skin type; ultimately walking away with picture perfect moments and Physiogel giveaways.
“We are always looking for fresh and innovative ways to engage our Key Opinion Leaders and our Consumers and we are truly delighted to launch a symbiotic relationship between Physiogel and Fashion Pakistan Week,” said Ayeza Sumsam Mohiuddin, Senior Brand Manager for Skin Health Category at GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare.
The event kicked off with some of the best fashion trends being showcased as fresh new faces alongside our favourite ramp-beauties were sent down the runway in exquisite and spring/summer pieces. However, what made an impact was when hearing impaired models made their runway debut for Amir Adnan, who had trained them all personally. Making it a first for any fashion show in the history of Pakistan to take this bold step of having impaired models walk the ramp. The star-studded evening had a perfect mix of style and inclusion as apparent through these words, “Each year, Fashion Pakistan Week stuns the audience and that’s because we have great designers, sponsors and partners on board with us that help make it a great success,” said Feri Rawanian, CEO of Fashion Pakistan Council. “We have also tied up with the Noor-e-Elahi trust to support the impaired, having hearing impaired models walk the ramp for Amir Adnan. Fashion Pakistan Week Spring/Summer ’18 is all about being inclusive and providing equal opportunity to the impaired. We hope to get as great a response on Day Two as well.”
About the designers and their collections:
Show Opener: Gulabo by Maheen Khan – Her collection titled ‘Liberation’ meaning a change in the air was a true depiction of breathing comfort, living in style and leaving footprints on the earth in a positive manner. The pieces were like a breath of fresh air, comfy, soft to the eyes yet stylish in a very chic way. From striking statements about environment such as ‘no water no life’ displayed fashionably on the runway to the closing of her show with the Lux Style Awards ‘Mein Bhi’ song playing in the background, her collection was appreciated by all and left quite an impact. Ayesha Toor and Zhalay Sarhadi were the showstoppers for her collection.
Huma Adnan for FNKASIA – Pegah – Huma’s brand aligns itself with social justice and therefore she dedicated this collection, Pegah, meaning ‘early light of day’ in Persian, to helping refugees seeking asylum in Pakistan. Joining hands with UNHCR, Huma brought jewellery and crafts to the collection that were made by refugee women, in order to promote women empowerment in the work force. The collection was inspired by the airy, and light pastel shades of summer 2018. With features of recurring nature motifs in the form of embroideries and prints that, coupled with the soft palette, portrayed a glowing image of peace. The elements that were used had a meaning of their own for example jagged hemlines and bold jewellery symbolized subtle turmoil, in pieces that would otherwise be considered uncontroversial and predictable. Along with this, free form drapes and the unstructured appeal of the garments made the aesthetic of the collection peaceful and calm. Bell sleeves, bell bottoms, flappers, breezy cool blues, brown belts were all on display as models strutted down the ramp. The showstoppers for FNKASIA were Noor Khan and the very lively and individualistic Zara Asad Siddiqi who sashayed down the ramp to spontaneous applause.
Cheena Chhapra – Buxom – created especially for the real women and plus size women Cheena Chhapra the queen of style brought on to the ramp fresh and subtle hued pieces worn beautifully by real women in their late 60s, including, in a strong display of support to womanhood, a pregnant lady. it was nothing short of a treat to watch. Living up to her fashion philosophy, that fashion has become more like a battlefield than lifestyle and that every woman has a desire to look pretty and desirable, her collection consisted of ensembles that women aspire to drape over. Block prints, phulkari, gara, kaanta made fashion statements and revived the dying art. Cheena’s exquisite chaddars and outfits were her way of telling women that size is irrelevant as long as the cut and fits are proper and garment is affordable. With stylish fabrics, colors, cuts that were unique and timeless, the outfits painted a picture of pure elegance and a welcome infusion of confidence. Her collection showcase resulted in a resounding cheer throughout the packed hall. Cheena Chhapra created a very lively and homely atmosphere and for her some very near and dear friends and clients walked the ramp.
Gogi by Hasan Riaz – Paradise Mirage – Hasan’s Paradise Mirage was a visual tale of an ornate soul. The vibrant and audacious collection had a very strong message of child abuse and child labor, which is a sad reality in our society and where the young ones are given no more value than deceased bones. The bold, effervescent collection depicted a cheerful spirit of the child and the playful life through elevating silhouettes created from organza, silk and leather trims and flamboyant embellishments that provoked color combinations. Frills, lots of bling, feathers, tassels, straight boot pants, all made fashion statements. The showstopper for his show was the gorgeous Nimra Khan.
Yasmeen Jiwa – Qous-e-Qazah – The art of “weightless glamor” was quietly and beautifully displayed in Yasmeen’s collection. Having previously showcase at Paris Fashion Week, Qous-e-Qazah played homage to the forces, power, beauty, and chaos responsible for the actual creation of this place. The palette featured chilling shades of silver grays, windy blue and silver mist with pops of citrus and rich reds. The embroideries utilized in this collection were a stunning amalgamation of mirror, thread, sequence, and crochet lace. One couldn’t help but lose themselves in the mystical world that was created on the runway by Yasmeen Jiwa.
The Pink Tree Company – Chaand Raat – Remaining true to its ideology, Pink Tree Company, presented a collection reflecting similar anticipation, and happiness of the coming festive season beginning with Ramzan and Eid continuing until post Bari Eid and monsoon weddings. The stunning pieces evoked memories of bygone eras when elegance ruled, sophistication thrived and life was simpler. Feminine in essence, the pieces highlighted fine, crisp, cool cottons with a dash of sheer organza, which spelled a lifestyle of luxury and ornateness when adorned with traditional embellishments such as zardozi, block print and gota. The collection brought with it, the romanticism of the glorious era with a twist of the contemporary chic.
Amir Adnan – Beast – Amir Adnan made history by having hearing impaired models walk the ramp in bespoke, environmentally conscious collection, called ‘Beast’. It featured one-of-a-kind pieces made from upcycled vintage sherwanis and the beauty of using existing materials to create something different and beautiful was a treat to watch. The collection name was inspired by the 1991 classic Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast and a similar ambiance was created. Male models carried themselves so well, that the regal grandeur and timelessness of the garment before, with the charismatic, headstrong personality of an alpha now. Azfar Rehman opened the show for Amir Adnan, Aly Khan also made a swashbuckling appearance and Zhalay closed the show for him.
Farah Talib Aziz – Mirabelle – Farah Talib Aziz is a debutant for Fashion Pakistan Week and her collection had the perfect mix of prints, textures, embellishments that all reflected the excitement of a promising summer. She experimented with free flowing silhouettes, varying hems and intricate fabric manipulation. Hats, jute baskets, flowers, a lot of pearl-work, Swarovski embellished pieces had an effortless glamour feel to it. The collection overall had a very breezy, fun and a very wearable line up of clothing that was feminine, confident and had laid back luxe with signature Farah Talib Aziz ease. Eye-catching garden-scapes and exquisite flora and fern which were rendered into artisanal works of magnificence. The goddess-like collection comprised of modern cuts and flowy designs had a perfect mix of golds and whites. Syra Sharoz closed the show for Farah Talib Aziz and what caught everyone’s attention was when she walked down the ramp in a mint pastel flowy ensemble with her mother in law Safina Behroze by her side. Must have been a very proud moment for Shehroz Sabzwari to see his mother and wife as show stoppers for Farah Aziz Talib.
Partners – All the partners involved in putting together the fabulous event included; Fashion Pakistan as the show producer, Nubain Ali as show director, N-Pro and N-Gents as official stylists, TV-One as the official media partner and Radio FM91 as the radio partner. Renowned skincare brand, Physiogel was the official red carpet sponsor, Aquafina, the beverage and backstage partner, Peak Freans Butter Puff the snack partner, The Deli, as the official food partner, Shaheen Airline as the official airline partner and TDAP as the hospitality partner. Media management and post publicity by Talking Point.
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