PSFW 2017 Day 1: Telling tales through fashion

From soothing pastel hues to a bright array of colours, the ramp witnessed models flaunting dramatic silhouettes

LAHORE: In all its glitz and glamour, the city of Lahore was once again host to the 10th edition of PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week (PSFW) 2017. The fashion extravaganza kicked off with A-list designers who showcased their luxury prêt collections. The fashion fraternity has taken forward the legacy of luxury prêt by amalgamating it with fresh techniques and cuts. From soothing pastel hues to a bright array of colours, the ramp witnessed models flaunting glamorous ensembles and dramatic silhouettes.

Here’s a lowdown of who showed what on the first day of PSFW.

Designer: HSY

Collection: Paranoia

HSY opened the fashion week with his luxury prêt collection titled Paranoia. The line featured menswear and womenswear, drawing inspiration from the technology-driven new generation and through fashion that spins a narrative on the digital reality. Futuristic fringing, mechanised knits and indigenous textures defined the core of this collection.  The offerings comprised woven silks and organza jackets, paired with palazzo pants and jumpsuits. A model interestingly sported a digital face of HSY on a cropped top.

PHOTO: DRAGONFLY

Designer: Misha Lakhani

Collection: Caravan

Misha’s collection was a collaborative endeavour to bring local weaving communities and the designer together, bringing back forgotten crafts such as the time-honed technique of applique and hand-woven fabric. Models walked the runway in ultra-feminine long kurtas. Misha’s signature kaftans and mid-calf wide-legged separates were also spotted on the ramp. The one design that stood out most was the sari dress – a picture perfect combination of the modern and traditional.  It displayed the gracefulness of a sari coupled with the ease of a dress to live it up in style during the long summer season. We loved the bright colour palette comprising hues of lime green, purple, ivory and black. The trendy footwear was from Miaasa.

PHOTO: DRAGONFLY

Designer: Saira Shakira

Collection: JIĒ

Showcasing for the fourth time at PSFW, the designer duo returned with their signature designs, glitzy sequin work, oriental imagery and a touch of retro interpreting chinoiserie with sporty elements. Models sported sculpted cropped tops, racer back-straps on the front, sporty block-coloured paneling and embellished jackets.

PHOTO: DRAGONFLY

Designer: Generation by Khadija Rehman

Collection: Bring Basant Back

Generation presented Khadija Rehman’s first showcase with a collection that was a silent protest demanding to have Lahore’s most beloved festival back. The ramp was the spectrum of colour, elongated and structured silhouettes were inspired from the shape, construction and patchwork of locally made kites. Cropped tops, jackets and sarong shalwar hybrid were made out of sheer voile, organza, striped cotton, hand pleated silks, poplin and cotton net. Interestingly most of the collection was detachable pieces of garments, which allowed them to be worn inside out.

PHOTO: DRAGONFLY

Designer: Sania Maskatiya

Collection: Sania Studio Cruise Collection

Sania portrayed a strong take on intricate floral patterns, lively motives and breezy clothes. Summer jackets, asymmetrical blouses, high-waist jumpsuits, slim-silhouetted gowns and gleaming, flowing pants were transformed into uber chic and fluid silhouettes. We liked that the dominant colour scheme was neutral while a myriad of colours such as beige, crimson, and mint were infused here and there, adding a flirtatious touch to the collection.

PHOTO: DRAGONFLY

Designer: Zonia Anwar

Collection: ZELLIIJ

Zonia’s collection was an amalgamation of a floral and mosaic line, inspired by work of Maalems of the Moroccan Berber, geometric patterns, hand drawn rosettes and monochromatic stripes. The offerings were a mix of waist cut dresses, tops, silk dresses and pants with a pop of neon to make it look off-beat and modish. Zonia has emerged as a contemporary designer who is conscious of a sustainable design philosophy with fuss free, wearable fashion.

PHOTO: DRAGONFLY

Bank Alfalah Rising Talent

This year four budding designers showcased their collections.

With IRVAJ-E-VIRSAAT, Amna Sheikh created a denim-on-denim look was attempted with great effort. Tilla and gota work was used in embroidery, while the cuts were traditional in modern silhouettes. Anghrakas were made in peplum style, off-shoulder blouses were paired with saris and dhoti shalwars and denim sherwanis were a hit on the runway.

PHOTO: DRAGONFLY

Arsa Khalid’s theme was about vandalism in our society; people visiting wonders of Lahore and scribble messages over beautiful artwork. The designer translated that on her garments, and showcased floral motives taken from Lahore fort walls. The message she tried to convey was highlighted through screen-printing on asymmetrical and symmetrical skirts, jackets and pants.

Titled Let’s Celebrate, Shahroz Tariq line entailed embellished jackets, minimalistic dresses and pants in pastel hues of fuchsia pink, mint green and beige gold. The decorative flowers were made with double fused hand techniques in satin and net.

Zainab Hamid’s collection was named, Still I Rise and the theme was women empowerment. Silhouettes were kept structured to show her as a strong being of society. The prints were derived from barcodes, flowers and illustrations while the colours were bold showing the beauty of feminism.

PHOTO: DRAGONFLY

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.