6 Eid collections worth investing in

The Express Tribune shortlists six designer collections worth investing in, this Eid, for the perfect head-turner look

LAHORE: Eid collections may not be the priority of most designers but the festival still poses an opportunity for serious retail therapy. We are presented with countless options that can be dressed up or down and can transition well into the upcoming winter. The following are our top picks for the upcoming festival.

FTA

Farah Talib Aziz has already exhibited at Ensemble in Karachi, Lahore and Dubai and the sold-out status of the exhibitions is testament to its commercial success. Over the years, the design house has carved a niche for the feminine and flirty glamour their outfits exude. With this Eid collection, sticking to its signature style, they’ve injected trends du jour, such as cold shoulders, bell sleeves, peplum flairs and tapered gharara pants. We would go as far as to say that the collection, retailing under Rs25,000, may be the brand’s best one yet.

Sania Maskatiya

The covetable brand introduces its Eid collection, ‘Shades of Autumn’, which is a fusion of Eastern and Western silhouettes. Maskatiya is one for well-constructed silhouettes and this collection does not disappoint in that regard. Featuring distinctive cuts in geometrics, interspaced with traditional angarkhas and floral embellishments — the designs can be worn formally on Eid, weddings and fancy dinners. Mehwish Hayat wore our favourite piece from the collection to an Actor in Law media conference recently.

Saira Rizwan

This Lahore-based designer’s creations regularly make it to the wedding circuit. Just in time for Eid, Rizwan released her debut unstitched ‘luxury’ collection based on chiffon using gold embroideries, thread work and embellishment with pearls and sequins. Her shoot at Rohtas Fort with Muzi Sufi features some great silhouettes. Even though the collection is unstitched, one can see that the designs can look glamorous with some good stitching. Retailing at Rs8,500, every package comprises a shirt piece and a dupatta.

Blocked Textiles

The Karachi-based brand has rapidly gained popularity over the years, but what’s really brought it to the fore is its recent shoot with photographer Ayaz Anis. The pictures are a refreshing break from the eyesore of embellishments, flora and fauna on social media. It features hand block printed patterns that can be made into tunics or saris. In fact, the versatility and sophistication of the collection is what has us lusting for the brand’s designs. We love the blue blouse that is covered in a gold hand block printed pattern using the same block as the pallu of the sari.

Sonya Battla

Sonya Battla’s eponymous brand has long been a favourite of discerning fashion enthusiasts who appreciate her less-is-more approach. It may not appeal to everyone but we love the clutter break vibe of her latest collection. She employs the traditional weaving technique of ikat and experimental hand-dying processes to achieve indigo fusions in cotton. Battla’s collection is on display at her E-street studio in Karachi along with  Amber Sami’s jewellery that perfectly complements the former’s creations.

Élan

Élan has expanded its roster of lines to include unstitched silk with a collection titled ‘Modern Rajkumari’. This is a collection of prints with floral details paired with ethnic jewelled motifs. This time the entire team flew to Udaipur, India, for the campaign with fashion photographer Nadir Firoz Khan who created a succession of photos that conjure a surefire aspirational charm. Élan’s unstitched designs are priced between Rs11,000 and Rs12,000.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th, 2016.

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