Showcase 2012 day three: Hits and misses

Ishtiaq Afzal Khan steals the show with his ‘Patchalicious’ collection.


Saadia Qamar March 29, 2012

KARACHI:


Day three of the Showcase 2012 remained a combination of extreme highs and disappointing lows. While designers like Ishtiaq Afzal Khan and Bibi Russell left audiences wanting more, others left a bad taste.


Kuki concepts

Designer Zahid Khan of the design house Kuki Concept paid a glowing tribute to poet Maulana Rumi. The collection was in deep browns in chiffon and georgettes with chooridaar pyjamas with Turkish embroidery on some of the shawls

Trends to remember: Whirling dervishes wearing long fez hats as well as chooridars, accessorised with chunky necklaces

The feel: A Turkish delight complete with resonance of another era

The look: Rumi on the ramp

Bibi Russell

With her funky, colourful and highly wearable collection, Russell brought Bangladeshi fashion to the Pakistani runways. The model-turned-designer showcased what tourist handicraft stores are known for; indigenous beachwear clothing. Primarily fascinated by rickshaw art, she creatively used handwoven fabric in shades of yellow, orange and green.

Trends to remember: Bangladeshi cuts and style paired with funky accessories

The feel: Perfect for a day in the sun

The look: Touristy and festive

Maheen Karim & Kiran Amnanad

Karim’s collection ‘Tres Magnifique’ came down the runway with Kiran Aman’s new jewellery collection ‘Kino’. While the flowing silks and chiffons in hues of beige and yellow had a feminine appeal, they wouldn’t have been as glamorous without Aman’s signature chunky metal pieces. Although colour blocking may be trending on the catwalks these days, the technique is definitely not Karim’s forte

Trends to remember: Embellished necklines and chunky-metal jewellery

The feel: Holiday eveningwear

The look: Chic woman at a resort

Warda Saleem

Saleem’s collection was an ode to a sparrow known as jhirki. Inspired by the bird’s colours, the collection was entirely in shades of white, brown and beige which was similar to Umar Sayeed’s Sadequain collection. Even though the show started off with a powerful video, the collection wasn’t strong in terms of its cuts or styling

Trends to remember: Pants with gold and black polka dots and embroidered bird motifs

The feel: Urban savvy

The look: For the independent woman

Ishtiaq Afzal Khan

Khan’s immaculately constructed, coherent and highly covetable collection ‘Patchalicious’ was inspired by traditional patchwork. Khan really understands how to use fabric in his designs. Additionally, his natural ability to create pret, for modern women, made this collection the crowning glory of the evening

Trends to remember: Patchwork done in a contemporary colour blocking manner

The feel: Western-cut outfits styled using Pakistani techniques

The look: Traditional meets classy

Ayesha Khurram

This was one of the most confusing odes to different personalities: Marilyn Monroe and Faiz Ahmad Faiz with some designs embossed with Monroes’ face, while others had Faiz’s poetry printed on them

Trends to remember: Shimmery sequined pants

The feel: Monroe meets Faiz

The look: Lost in translation

Ibrahim Hanif

Hanif combined traditional and colourful Balochi and Sindhi embroidery in his collection giving it a very ethnic feel. With the line pivoted on truck art, it seemed natural that the belts used with skirts was actually inspired by the borders that trail below trucks. While his uppers and tops didn’t leave much of an impression, it was noteworthy that each and every lower, be it a skirt, jodhpur or narrow pant were done in a creative and fun fashion

Trends to remember: Mirror work on handbags along with funky kolhapuri chappals

The feel: Sindhi/Balochi craftman’s work

The look: Ethnic funk

Yasir Mirza

With lace and satin as primary fabrics and garish colours used in the collection, Mirza’s ‘Hiphopistan’ collection went against the traditional concept of masculinity. The look may have worked for a Victorian man, but it would not go well with practically any urban, metrosexual man

Trends to remember: Funky headgear

The feel: Victorian man

The look: Something not many self-respecting alpha males will dare to wear

Zarmina Khan

Khan’s ‘Scent of a Woman’ collection was an ode to love and serenity. Appearing on the runway were flowing chiffons in soft colours combined with models adorning real flowers in their hair, giving a romantic feel to the collection

Trends to remember: Net chooridar pyjamas

The feel: Subtle yet romantic appeal

The look: A woman in love

Published in The Express Tribune, March 30th, 2012.

COMMENTS (1)

Justice to be done | 11 years ago | Reply

I know I may sound very unreasonable but hats off to these people .. while Karachi is burning and totally red with human blood these fashion shows are still on. Have we totally lost our values and sensitivity how to react to human disaster? I am ashamed to be in this situation.

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