PSFW Day 1: For every kind of woman

Designers boasted eclectic collections ranging from subtlety to drama

LAHORE: With Fashion Pakistan Week having wrapped up in Karachi recently, expectations heightened for PSFW (PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week). An impressive line-up of designers boasted eclectic collections, proving naysayers wrong yet again. While Zara Shahjahan and Sania Maskatiya brought subtlety and wearability to the ramp, Fahad Husayn and Hussain Rehar presented dramatic and over-the-top collections that may be limited in practicality. The night however, was a mix of subdued colours, bold cuts and prints. Needless to say, it was a delight to watch.

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Zara Shahjahan

Collection: Adaab

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Shahjahan opened PSFW on a sparkling note. Her collection was an ode to the modern Lakhnavi woman, who carries her story and heritage through the growing metropolis. The pieces were easy and comfortable, yet stylish in a very eastern contemporary way. The collection featured long organza shirts with matching wide-legged trousers and churidaars.

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The designer incorporated chikankari, zari, zardozi, kamdaani and gota in all her ensembles – a testament to old world charm and an effortless statement of grace and poise. Staying true to an earthy palette, the majority of her creations were in hues of ivory and white, with hints of colour here and there. Shades of coral and mustard broke the monotony and the intricate details made the collection so very elegant.

FPW 2019 Day 3: Bold, beautiful and blah

Sania Maskatiya

Collection: Isfahan

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She showcased her new spring/summer evening wear line, Isfahan which was a perfect blend of soft pastels and bold jewel shades. The designer’s philosophy was of innovation in eastern styles while keeping it relevant to the modern world. The collection had long cotton net shirts embellished with gota work and kamdaani.

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A lot of silk with floral patterns were used for blouses, trousers and undershirts paired with very interesting dupattas and saris. With summer just around the corner, there’s no surprise that florals made for most of the showcase. Overall, it was classic and graceful but I felt Maskatiya could have experimented more with silhouettes considering the fact that that is what her label is known for.

Hussain Rehar

Collection: Fifth Dimension


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Organza sheer pants and vinyl tote bags may not be your typical idea of fashion but as expected, Rehar’s offerings were both, bold and edgy. The young designer used organza as his base and heavily ornamented it with crystals, beads, stones, applique and fabric meshes.

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He used a gamut of colours, textures, fabrics and embellishments, while experimenting with free flowing silhouettes, varying hems and intricate fabric manipulation. The pieces looked fun on the ramp but we’re not sure how they will fare in retail. My favourite from the collection was the silver and charcoal grey textured shimmery suit with a belted long jacket.

Yahsir Waheed

Collection: Samah Musst Hai

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Waheed presented a very youthful and playful collection, giving off true bohemian vibes. The designer used contrasting fabrics with a mix of prints, textures and embellishments – all reflecting the excitement of a promising spring and summer. The ivory wide-legged dungaree led the pack.

Fahad Hussayn

Collection: Suraiya Titanic

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Hussayn presented a diverse collection featuring an array of cuts and a variety of hand-painted, couture ensembles. The design house also introduced a unique range of lawn wedding wear for the festive summer season. The collection had an array of 3D embroideries and detailing. Deconstructed, unisex cotton jackets dominated the ramp.

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The collection was inspired by the current crop of social media gypsies, living in the age of sensory overload leading to perplexed aesthetics. Amna Illyas served as Hussayn’s showstopper, clad in a strapless bodice over an ivory skirt.

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