Showcase 2012 day two: Ode to colour

Young designers bring desi funk to the forefront.

KARACHI:

Fashion Showcase day two brought some promising fashion designers to the fore. The young Pakistani designers seem to love playing with colour and the concept of ‘Pakistaniyat’, as many collections were inspired by the cultural heritage of Pakistan.

Zaibab Sajid

Sajid’s ‘Mera Pakistan’ collection won the cultural race and was one of the best lines showcased on Day Two. The range drew inspiration from local art and landmarks like Minar-e-Pakistan and Bab-e-Khyber.

Trends to remember: Camel and rickshaw motifs and kheri chappals

The feel: Rural chic

The look: Elegant with a dash of desi

Nakul Sen

India’s Nakul Sen showcased a collection of saris replete with the ever-so-grandiose combination of black and gold.

Trends to remember: Romance of gold and silver with black

The feel: Regal appeal

The look: Woman in black

Bareeze

‘Rang Ja’ from the house of Bareeze stood out for its crisp portrayal of Pakistani culture seasoned with hues of yellow, deep purple and bright red.

Trend to remember: Use of pom poms and Balochi and Sindhi embroidery

The feel: A fiesta of colours

The look: Vivacious and vibrant

Fouzal Hameed

Sri Lankan designer Fouzal Hameed’s menswear had two variations. Half of the collection showcased sharply-tailored three-piece black and grey suits while the other half brought forward a more trendy side of men’s suiting. Hameed’s collection had suits in bright hues such as red and blue as well as more somber shades such as black and grey.

Trend to remember: Hip moccasins and leather briefcases

The feel: Stylish and playful

The look: The well-groomed man

Huma Adnan

FnkAsia is getting funkier by the day. With her yellow and white outfits, designer Huma Adnan celebrated the concept of ‘every dawn brings a new beginning’. Additonally, the use of tie-dye transported one back to the 1970s, when hippies changed the face of fashion and style.

Trends to remember: Headbands

The feel: Splash of yellow for undercover gypsies

The look: Little Miss Sunshine

Farhan & Ambreen

The duo incorporated shades of sunset and rainbows in their collection called the ‘Colours of Nature’. The hues of this collection denoted a nature lover’s carefree levity.

Trends to remember: Diamantes-studded necklines and meena kari work

The feel: Earthbound, raw and carefree

The look: Bohemian fantasy

Sofia Naveed Lari

Lari’s collection was a burst of colours and flora

Trend to remember: Flower embellishments and accessories

The feel: Feminine and floral

The look: The flower girls in My Fair Lady

Nida Khurram

In her spring/summer 2012 collection Khurram brought forward her drapery collection in pure silk.

Trend to remember: Brooches

The feel: Contemporary and chic

The look: The Roman Goddess

Maryah Dada

Dada’s collection ‘True feel of Africa’ was a melange of earthy tones and geometrical designs

Trend to remember: Use of colourful beads in accessories

The feel: Life in an African tribe

The look: The jungle is calling

Syed Rizwanullah

Rizwanullah’s ‘Art meets Fashion’ collection was an old one and this range was presented less than a fortnight ago at the Textile Asia’s Colour Denim Fashion Parade. Same denim, same hues and nothing new.

Trends to remember: Fabric paint on clothes

The feel: A snazzy topping on bland denim

The look: Andy Warhol

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29^th, 2012.