Soooo excited about PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week that starts TODAY. Stellar line up with some of my fave designers – couldn’t make it to Lahore this time so will be following virtually on
live streaming and twitter (#PSFW). Also have plenty of spies who’ve promised me all the gossip and comments which are too spicy or catty for twitter. Not the same as actually being there, but the next best thing.
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| A first glimpse of the set courtesy PFDC |
So what to expect? Well, there’s already a lot to be excited about with all the sneak peeks and teasers out there, especially in Karachi thank to the marvelous
Secret Closet. One exciting development is that lots of designers are doing in-house accessories to style their collections. From Misha Lakhani’s skinny belts to Shehla Chatoor’s metallic accessories, designers are taking Pakistani fashion to a new level.
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| Scarf and clutch from Layla Chatoor’s Ayesha collection |
A lot of top designers are having an Orientalism moment. They’re playing with fab prints based on everything from the Renaissance architecture (Sheyla Chatoor) to William Morgan Pottery (Nida Azwer). Sania Maskatiya and Misha Lakhani are drawing on themes from Renaissance, Persian and Moghul pottery and architecture. Layla Chatoor was inspired by a vintage South Asian scene from the Victoria and Albert Museum while Faiza Samee has drawn on Central Asian weaves and vintage Russian Chintz. Khadija Shah of Elan will be using Chinoiserie-style prints with birds, flowers and the like to showcase her theme “Ode to a Nightingale”.
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| Nida Azwer’s prints and pottery inspiration courtesy secretcloset.pk |
Don’t expect any sort of uniformity because these stellar designers each have their own strong signature sense of style. Orientalism by Misha Likhani will be a world away from a variation on the theme by Shehla Chatoor. Do expect a very modern take from them all, with interesting cuts, variety and plenty of chic sexiness. Nevertheless there’s something ironic about modern Pakistani designers being inspired by historic western architecture, pottery and textiles that were in turn inspired by the Orient, which includes everything from Arabia to Asia.
The prints theme continues in other ways. Fahad Hussayn has used silk prints and metallic embroidery to illustrate his vision of “Praxus”, imaginary warriors who fight for love.
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| Fahad Hussayn’s Praxus |
Tapu Javeri has taken of his phtographs and transform them into wearable art in the form of bags, clothes and scarves. He has four capsule collections each interpreted by a star designer.
Some designers are going their own route. Master of subtlety Rizwan Beyg is doing a RANGG collection based on Truck Art. You can’t help but be intrigued. Karma’s collection is called Gatsby – think 1920’s and gorgeous Art Deco detailing with pearls and fringes.
Ali Xeeshan is doing a patriotic and pertinent Jalsa collection.
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| Ali Xeeshan’s all white Jalsa collection |
Expect the emerging talent showcase to also show plenty of diversity from Mahgul’s Archive collection to Mohsin Ali’s Basket Weave collection.
Then there’s the glamour contingent with their evening gowns, jumpsuits and sexy cuts. Maheen Karim’s Paradis collection will be one to watch, based on abstract vibrant prints. SanaSafinaz are doing a continuation of the boho-chic /St. Tropez collection they introduced at FPW. Ayesha Farooq Hashwani’s cruise collection will showcase her cutting skills in a vibrant colour palette. The one to watch however will be HSY with his “Believe” collection in conjunction with Italian watchmaker ToyWatch. Expect drop dead gorgeous glamour and intricate luxury.
There are plenty more designers on the program and everyone will have their chance to impress. The excitement is building. Fasten your seatbelts everyone, PSFW is all set to go!
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Don’t expect any sort of uniformity because these stellar designers each have their own strong signature sense of style. Orientalism by Misha Likhani will be a world away from a variation on the theme by Shehla Chatoor. Do expect a very modern take from them all, with interesting cuts, variety and plenty of chic sexiness. Nevertheless there’s something ironic about modern Pakistani designers being inspired by historic western architecture, pottery and textiles that were in turn inspired by the Orient, which includes everything from Arabia to Asia.
Some designers are going their own route. Master of subtlety Rizwan Beyg is doing a RANGG collection based on Truck Art. You can’t help but be intrigued. Karma’s collection is called Gatsby – think 1920’s and gorgeous Art Deco detailing with pearls and fringes.
Nice Over view 🙂