FPW 2018 Day 1: Fashion and a whole lot more

Opening night of extravaganza comprised new-fangled ideas and style statements by lesser known designers

LAHORE: With two fashion weeks having wrapped up in Lahore and Karachi only recently, there were high expectations for Fashion Pakistan Week (FPW). With an impressive line-up of designers, each collection boasted of new-fangled ideas. From Cheena Chhapra replacing models with accomplished women, The Pink Tree Company showcasing its best collection to date and Farah Talib Aziz making her FPW debut, the opening day failed to disappoint us, rolling out more hits than misses.

Here’s a lowdown of what went down on day one.

Gulabo by Maheen Khan

Collection: Liberation

PHOTO: TAPU JAVERI

Living up to its name, the line unveiled breathable and airy creations in the form of box cuts, summer jackets, layered tops with notch collars and tapered trousers. Maheen presented an off-beat collection in earthy tones such as brick red, military green, autumnal amber and basic white. The pieces were easy, comfortable and yet stylish.

Striking slogans about the environment such as ‘Save The Earth’ and ‘No Water No Life’ were displayed fashionably on the outfits. While such a noble message served as the saving grace for the collection, being one of the pioneers in the fashion industry Maheen could have experimented with the silhouettes.

Huma Adnan for FnKASIA

Collection: Pegah

PHOTO: TAPU JAVERI

Pegah meaning ‘early light of day’ in Persian was dedicated to refugees seeking asylum in Pakistan. The designer showcased a diverse collection featuring an array of silhouettes inspired by the airy and light pastel shades of recurring nature motifs in the form of embroideries and prints. Long and flowy summer dresses paired with big belts, bell bottoms, wide legged trousers and constructive blouses proved to be a hit –  and we know will give every girl major style goals.

Cheena Chhapra

Collection: Buxom

PHOTO: TAPU JAVERI

The relatively new designer brought to the ramp fresh and subtle hued pieces worn beautifully by women in their late 50s and 60s. In a striking display of extending support to plus size women, Chhapra proved that size doesn’t matter but what is important is the way in which one carries an outfit. She employed traditional craftsmanship using block prints, phulkari, gara and kaanta work and brought back to life the art of dyeing. Staying true to her roots, Chhapra ingeniously fused the bygone with the contemporary in a collection that left spectators riveted.

Gogi by Hassan Riaz

Collection: Paradise Mirage

PHOTO: TAPU JAVERI

The designer offered his own take on a different kind of power dressing, one that was created especially for the ramp. No doubt the collection was vibrant and audacious with a very strong message of child abuse and child labour but it was far away from a consumer’s wardrobe, making it anything but a practical collection.

The offerings featured elevating silhouettes created from organza, silk and leather trims, while flamboyant embellishments and neon patterns created strong colour combinations. Frills, lots of bling, feathers, tassels and straight boot pants made a fashion statement but we want to see him make more wearable pieces in the future.

Yasmeen Jiwa

Collection: Qous-e-Qazah

PHOTO: TAPU JAVERI

Yasmeen showcased this collection earlier at Paris Fashion Week. It paid homage to the forces, power and beauty responsible for the creation of this planet. The palette featured shades of silver greys, windy blue and silver mist with hints of citrus and ruby red. The outfits incorporated an amalgamation of mirror, thread, sequence and crochet lace. However, Yasmeen had chosen better outfits than gaudy jumpsuits featuring discomforting detailing. Red and grey in this case made for quite an eyesore.

The Pink Tree Company

Collection: Chaand Raat

PHOTO: TAPU JAVERI

Remaining true to its ideology, The Pink Tree Company showed a collection that was an ode to the festivities of sub continental culture. Exuding femininity, the pieces highlighted fine, crisp and cool cottons incorporated with sheer organza and adorned with traditional embellishments such as zardozi, block print and gota. It was easily the best show of the evening where the brand lived up to the promise of grandeur. Kurtas with shararas, glittering lehengas and shalwars in bright hues with intricate embroidery completed the line.

Amir Adnan

Collection: Beast

PHOTO: TAPU JAVERI

Azfar Rehman opened the show with the brand featuring one-of-a-kind pieces made from up cycled vintage sherwanis. The collection was inspired by the 1991 classic Beauty and the Beast and a similar ambiance was created. Aly Khan and Zhalay Sarhadi served as the showstoppers, with the latter dressed in a black sherwani-cut jacket. Adnan played with various fabrics such as jamawar, solid silks and velvet, presenting great fashion options for men.
Farah Talib Aziz

Collection: Mirabelle

PHOTO: TAPU JAVERI

The design house unveiled a mix of prints, textures and embellishments – all reflecting the excitement of a promising summer. Delightful frills and layers in pastel shades accounted for a breezy, fun and very wearable collection.

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