LAHORE:
Pakistan Fashion Design Council (PFDC) 2012 day two showed more structure, grace and elegance in design and vogue philosophy as compared to day one. Even though it had its share of hits and misses, the show, as a whole, was riveting. It was good to see Aaminah Haq step out of her comfort zone to put up a phenomenal show that has earned PFDC an edge over its arch nemesis because of its choreography and set-up.
Noman Arfeen
Noman Arfeen’s collection was entertaining and pleasingly ostentatious at the same time. With over the top designs combined with simple cuts, the line managed to make the audience sit up and observe. The jodhpur pants and the pleated shalwars reminded one of Rajasthani princes and even though the ramp collection can’t be labelled as ‘wearable’, it still had excellent design and aesthetic sense.
Ammar Belal
Ammar Belal’s collection took most of us on a journey back to our past in college life. The designer added character and chic to basic sportswear and made it fashion-centric. The collection was quintessential American college wear and the juxtaposition of the oxford print with the casual sportswear was unique and refreshing to see. However, more than the collection, it was Haq’s brilliant choreography and the inclusion of college students that made the show even more spectacular.
Akif Mahmood
Akif Mahmood’s collection lacked structure and simple thematic element. The western cuts with studded shoulders reminded one of Madonna’s style statements back in the 80s and could be incorporated in street fashion easily. However, most of the embroidery and the animal print incorporated within the collection was overpowering; net sleeves combined with heavily embroidered outfits being the best example of this faux pas. In a nutshell, use of multiple prints took away the chic simplicity Mahmood’s collection could have had.
Asifa & Nabeel
The last show of the first act was most disappointing because one saw an A-list bridal couture designer struggling to put together a B-list pret line. Asifa & Nabeel’s collection was boring and the smooth choreography acted as a build-up to a collection that was not even worth it. Some may say that the line was very commercial but we still find it hard to believe that the over embellished chiffon short dresses could be worn in Pakistan.
Fahad Hussayn
The monochromatic collection by Fahad Hussayn was truly phenomenal and gave PFDC the edge it needed. The sleek collection of embellished shift dresses added drama and class to an otherwise average day at fashion week. The chiffon pants stood out the most and the thick embellishments spoke volumes of Hussayn’s design philosophy. The outfits were replete with neutral hues and displayed a perfect melange of tradition and modernity.
Zonia Anwar
Anwar’s collection was a breath of fresh air. The bright colour palette reflected the designer’s inclination towards neons and loud hues. For student designers, it is very important to understand the design concept as well as the art of executing that concept via fabric and cuts. The bohemian touch in the embroidery and the colour blocking made it apparent that the council can expect some creative collections from Anwar in the future.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 17th, 2012.
Correction: An earlier version of the article incorrectly stated that Hassan Sheheryar Yasin (HSY) choreographed the show instead of Aaminah Haq. The error has been rectified.
COMMENTS (1)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Somehow sleeveless dresses don't go well with our women.In any case sleeveless is a casual wear.