TDAP hosts ‘The Fashion Show’ as an extension of Texpo 2023 concludes on Day 02.

An extension of its 4^th International Textile and Leather Exhibition, TEXPO, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) hosted the day-two of fashion show on 27^th May 2023 at the Expo Centre in Karachi.

Chief guests for the evening were Federal Secretary of Commerce Muhammad Sualeh Ahmad Faruqui, Chief Executive TDAP Zubair Motiwala, and Secretary TDAP Fareed Iqbal Qureshi.

An exclusive showcase for the media and foreign buyers, the event featured a treasure trove of designs, putting the spotlight on ready-to-wear, resort wear, and luxury pret items. All collections showcased at the event were exclusively curated with a focus on sustainable fashion, keeping in line with the theme of this year’s TEXPO, ‘Weaving the Way to Sustainability’.

The second day of the event offered collections by designers and design-houses Shamaeel Ansari, MEME, IVS, Almirah, The Pink Tree Company, Sanam Chaudhri, Parishae Adnan, Diners, Textile Institute of Pakistan (TIP), Spartan Athletics and Ali Xeeshan.

Shamaeel Ansari opened the show with her collection ‘Western Elegance: The Fusion of Cultures’, allowing the audience to step into a world of elegance and sophistication. Her showcase was followed by MEME’s ‘Streets of Barcelona’ – a fashion retail concept created in Barcelona that connects the brand with young, independent, cosmopolitan men and women of today. Students of the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture (IVS) presented a collection tapping different areas of sustainability, ranging from zero waste patterns to denim deconstruction, all the way to reviving cultural surface treatments.

Models strutted down the runway for Almirah in its ‘BOHO CHIC’ collection, a harmonious fusion of boho and modern aesthetics. Sanam Chaudhri presented her collection – a love letter to Sanam’s student self; when she was introduced to the techniques of clamp and resist dyeing, a process that has held its charm for its rustic purity ever since. House of Parishae led the charge with ‘Anatomy of Power’, inspired by a 1983 study on the dynamics of social power by John Kenneth Galbraith.

Textile Institute of Pakistan (TIP) sent models draped in ‘Ethnic Subcontinent’ – a western collection based on the history of clothing in the subcontinent that can be traced to the Indus Valley civilization or earlier. Ali Xeeshan closed the show with his collection, ‘Redefining Fashion in Pakistan’ – a sustainable high street collection featuring recycled materials and cotton, an essential part of Pakistan’s heritage.

The day-two of this fashion-gala was directed by Nubain Ali, boasted Dino Ali and Anoushey Ashraf as its red-carpet hosts.

TEXPO 2023 paid tribute to the textile and leather industries for their resilience in the fight against the impact of climate change on Pakistan. It hosted 300 plus exhibitors, international textile sourcing agents, Pakistan’s leading designers and industry specialists from around the world, all while reflecting offerings ranging from leather garments, footwear, cotton, readymade garments, home textiles, denim, knitwear, sportswear, among others.

Buyers from Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, China, Japan, Columbia, Egypt, France, Germany, Iran, among others, attended the TEXPO this year. While buyers from 48 non-traditional markets and 286 new consumers registered.

Top international brands registered for the event include Smiffys, Royce Too LLC, Pem-America’s INC, Komex and Faro (Poland) – apparel and home textiles, Action (Netherlands), C&A (Germany) – apparel chain, French Connection (UK) – apparel chain, El Corte Ingles (Spain) – departmental stores, Essenza Home (Netherlands) – Tchaikovsky Textile (Russia), among others.

Official media partner for TEXPO 2023 was Hum TV, while the official radio partner was FM91. event management and Public Relations (PR) of TEXPO 2023 was handled by Take II.

Fashion Pakistan’s Winter Gala gives a glimpse of post-pandemic fashion.

The 13^th edition of Fashion Pakistan opened with a grand Winter Gala that set the stage for traditions of the Pakistani culture redefined by fashion in the 21st Century, followed by 8 fabulous trend shows.

The Fashion Pakistan Winter Gala’s Pink Carpet was a glittering affair with 6 of the most illustrious fashion designers and their muses dressed in their signature creations. The impressive repertory of Pink Carpet designers with their muses included Anoushey Ashraf and Anushka Qizilbash for Maheen Khan, Nausheen Shah for Delphi by Nida Tapal, Sona Memon, Fatima Hasan, and Alyana Shamsi for Farah Talib Aziz, Urshia Hussain for Boheme by Kanwal, and Ayesha Omar for The PinkTree Company and Shamaeel Ansari.

The star-studded Fashion Pakistan Winter Gala’s Pink Carpet hosted by Dino Ali and Anoushey Ashraf was graced by some noteworthy names of the fashion fraternity, including Amin Gulgee, Fahad Mirza, Deepak Perwani, Humayun Alamgir, Azfar Rehman, Zhalay Sarhadi, Asad Butt, Areeba Habib, Nusrat Hidayatullah, Neha Khan, Amal Qadri, Farah Essa, Ayla Adnan, Sarah Anees, and Maliha Rehman.

The show was opened by the doyenne of fashion in Pakistan, Maheen Khan in collaboration with Jafferjees with her couture collection true to her signature.

Following this was the couture collection ‘New Dawn’ by Zaaviay. The accessible women’s luxury brand brought to ramp the seamless transitions of nature, with silhouettes and techniques featuring complimenting elements highlighting the phenomenon of a new dawn.

The show then moved on to urbane bespoke menswear by the self-taught designer Sameer Sain in a collection fit for the modern man.

The fashion-forward label Hina Mirza made its catwalk debut with a collection comprising of high-street inspired winter casuals.

Aamna Aqeel and Bakhtawar Memon brought back funk and fashion to the runway with a lively collection with exaggerated details in vivid hues.

Showcasing for the first time, the contemporary menswear label Zohaib Jubileo hit the ramp with modern pieces.

This season’s finale was done by the celestial fashion label Arizai by Atiya that showed what spiritual fashion looks like.

Speaking on the occasion, Maheen Khan, the Chairperson – Fashion Pakistan Council said; “Fashion never sleeps and neither do we at Fashion Pakistan. I believe everyone deserves a chance to grow and to mature as a fashion designer, and we are here to do just that.”

The 13^th edition of Fashion Pakistan featured Atiya Khan as Show Director, Rumaisa Reem Mamsa as Creative Director, Team Nabila as the official hair & makeup partners, with model co-ordination by Zinc Agency. Official photography by Nadir Toosy, while Mind Map Communications was a partner on both digital & press management.

“Catwalk Cares” – Virtual Fashion Show – Day 01

Pakistan’s first ever ‘virtual fashion show’- the brainchild of Frieha Altaf CEO of Catwalk Event Management & Productions was postponed in respect to the memory of those who tragically lost their lives in the PIA A-320 jet crash including Pakistani supermodel Zara Abid. This ‘‘Catwalk Cares’’ Virtual Fashion Show will be airing on 05^th, 06^th & 07^th of June 2020 (on YouTube -@ 07:00 PM) and (on Facebook – 09:00 PM).

The innovative digital fashion show in which 19 leading Pakistani brands show capsule pieces from their latest collections began on Day One with a general overview of all the six participating  designers and  their models repeatedly spouting what may now be the new ground  reality in fashion show presentation: “virtual fashion show” which seemed jarring to say the least!

This was followed by more laudatory comments from participating designers and models espousing that the show is a tribute to the front-liners including Amir Adnan who said “designers care about them (front-liners) Catwalk cares about them and Fashion cares about them”

Show director Frieha Altaf thanked all the designers, models and front-liners and as a preview to the collections again reiterated that the show was dedicated to the front-liners and hoped that the Eid garments given as kind gestures of gratitude “put a smile on their faces”. Altaf further stated some statistics about the 364 Covid-19 affected health workers in Sindh seven of whom had lost their lives as well as five police officers who had passed away.

Day one kicked off with retail game-changer Khaadi whose collection ‘Bohemia’ described by KHAADI CEO Shamoon Sultan as all about “expressing one’s individuality in a fun way” was modeled by: Robina Khan. Set against a brightly-hued ethnic backdrop the four-piece capsule included  vibrant fuchsia  cobalt, citrine and tangerine  ethnic prints transposed onto short belted bell-sleeved tunics and layered  tasseled coats  offset with traditional carry-on bags  A vibrant and ebullient collection  that gave hope in these dark times . Both designer and model thanked the front-liners for their brave services and vowed to continue to support them.

Before the next designer Maheen Karim’s showcase ‘Parizad’ which is artfully juxtaposed behind-the-scenes communications between Maheen and her chosen model   Rahhima Ali, which added a bit of interest and showed the art of coordination via social media ‘Parizad’ was supposed to have been showcased at the cancelled Hum Showcase but Maheen believed Catwalk Cares was the perfect platform to showcase the capsule. Maheen had collaborated with Image Fabrics and transposed their materials into classic Maheen Karim silhouettes creating a collection   “made by strong independent women two from Image Fabrics and three at Maheen Karim”  Parizad was ostensibly all  about empowered women and the all-white five piece capsule included  swirly one-shoulder lace evening gowns; three-layered  bolero tops worn with jodhpur pants and a gorgeous  sari/stole hybrid evening look offset with traditional ethnic jewelry including teekas  To reiterate the fact the show was a CSR activity  with Fashion indubitably “caring” both designer and model  again gave out thankful shout-outs to  the front-liners including  “doctors, nurses and policemen and women”.

The next designer Amir Adnan a forerunner of the Pakistani Fashion industry called show director Frieha Altaf a pioneer and was happy  and excited to be part of the innovative digital fashion show that was “’paying tribute to the front-liners” His  four looks Summer Festive Eid collection was modeled by enthusiastic rising star Subhan Awan and used a simple palette of lilac and deep purple juxtaposed with black and white and  was transposed onto slim long and short shalwar kameezes and elegantly coordinated  plain and printed waistcoats and buttoned prince coats  Ironically it was a male model who was highlighted using the make-up kit Zero Make Up by NABILA which is the official hair and make-up partner for Catwalk Cares!

 

Huma Adnan called Frieha Altaf ‘a powerhouse who needs no introduction” as she explained why she chose supermodel Abeer Rizvi for the tribal-influenced collection because of her indigenously tribal features.  The  five looks ‘Kuchi’ collection was inspired by Kandahar Afghanistan and included long flowing white  kuchi  skirts worn with short embroidered tops  and kuchi kaftan dresses in cerise, black, and pink florals organically hand-printed by Afghani refugees whom Huma closely works  with. and was also paying tribute to , The festive fusion and easily translatable resort wear collection was  accessorized with signature Huma Adnan handmade jewelry  made by the same Afghan refugee women, Well-edited behind the scenes looks of Abeer trying on the festive tribal jewelry was  energizing.  Keeping in step with the dire pandemic times we are living in, Huma also showcased matching reusable and washable masks which are also available for sale while calling the front-liners “our true heroes and patriots”.

 

The ever eloquent and pioneering couturier Shamaeel Ansari: said she was delighted to be part of Catwalk Cares and was happy that Catwalk was “taking the first lead and that her went out to the front-liners” The opulent three piece capsule collection ‘The  Light of Darkness’  was  elegantly modeled by Fahmeen Ansari  in myriad well-lit and close-up shots and included   black and silver backless short bell-sleeved tunics worn with   slim cropped cigarettes pants;  scarlet one shoulder frilly tunics  worn with coordinated protective masks and a luxurious gold and black  high-collared opera coat with slit kimono sleeves  replete with leather gloves that exuded high voltage drama and glamour!

The sixth and last designer of Day One Nida Azwer spoke about the virtual show as “the new way forward to accepting and adapting to the new normal and Catwalk Cares as a way   to keep us entertained in these trying times”. Model Fahmeen Ansari before showcasing Nida Azwer’s luxury formal collection Anemone’ highlighted the versatility of TRESemmé hair products – TRESemmé being the official Hair Partners for Catwalk Cares – with a fun montage of her washing and blow drying her tresses The four piece ‘Anemone’ capsule included timeless pieces carefully hand-embroidered using the finest quality fabrics enhanced with delicate crystal,  traditional intricate resham & zardozi embroidery. The season-less separates that included kalidars and jackets which can be paired in multiple ways radiated in soft hues of pinks, gold silver and ivory and are indubitably collector items.

Day one ended with a heart-warming photo montage tribute to supermodel Zara Abid (1992-2020) and “all the precious lives lost on the tragic PIA A-320 jet crash” against a lilting soundtrack of iconic Pakistani band Strings 2018 hit ‘urr Jaoon’ (fly away) . The montage included glowing tributes by friends and  colleagues who  had worked with the late super model including designers Sana Safinaz, Khadijah Shah of Élan and Nomi Ansari and models and actresses Mushk Kaleem, Abeer Rizvi and Saba Qamar who had narrated the debut short film ‘Sikka’  in which Zara acted in a double role.

Deft, edgy, well executed and well-edited and genuinely highlighting the fact that Fashion and Catwalk truly cares, day one was an encouraging and inspiring  harbinger of more great fashion with heart to come.

Watch Pakistan’s first ever “Catwalk Cares” Virtual Fashion Show Day 01/Episode 01 below : 

Fashion Pakistan Council (FPC) announces its new Board of Governors for a 3- year term.

Fashion Pakistan Council (FPC) announced its new Governing Body (Board of Governors) for a 3- year term, starting November 1st, 2019.

Members of the new Board of Governors are:

1) Maheen Khan – Chairperson

2) Aamna Aqeel – Member

3) Shamaeel Ansari – Member

4) Ronak Lakhani – Member

5) Yasin Peracha – Member

6) Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy – Member

7) Ziad Bashir – Member

As they commence their term in office, Fashion Pakistan’s Council’s new Board of Governor’s aims to strengthen Pakistan’s presence in the global fashion economy while fostering local industry. We look forward to the next three years with a strong and forward looking Fashion Council Pakistan.

Presenting Aamna Aqeel, member of FPC’s stellar Board of Directors!

Presenting Ronak Lakhani, member of FPC’s stellar Board of Directors!

Presenting Shamaeel Ansari, member of FPC’s stellar Board of Directors!

Presenting Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, member of FPC’s stellar Board of Directors!

 

 

Presenting Yasin Paracha, member of FPC’s stellar Board of Directors!

 

 

Presenting Ziad Bashir, a member of our stellar Board of Directors!

About Fashion Pakistan Council: Founded in 2007, Fashion Pakistan Council is a not for profit organization that facilitates designers, and brands, to enable sustainable growth and promote Pakistani fashion both locally and globally. Its objective is to encourage, foster, promote, enhance, facilitate and assist individuals and/or design houses in the sale and promotion of high quality garments in the domestic market and also internationally, encourage excellence in design, and build alliances with associations both within and outside Pakistan.