MFW: Unfashionably late and mismanaged

With a low budget and no sponsor, fashion show preview falls flat.

KARACHI: Perhaps it can be blamed on a lack of funds, but the Men’s Fashion Week (MFW) preview that kicked off at a compound called Oasis late Thursday left the audience disappointed with its unappealing venue and mismanagement.

The event, which was scheduled to start by 7:00pm, commenced two-and-a-half hours late. Apart from the poorly lit stage, there was no proper ramp in sight; instead of a wooden platform, the models walked a ramp made out of mud – bizarre to say the least.

Organised by Take II Client Management, PR and Media Consultants, the event which earlier claimed to have followed men’s fashion week trends as seen in Paris, London and Shanghai, was the polar opposite in terms of arrangements. The set-up was the product of a low budget, and it was evident that no one had sponsored the show.

While designer Munib Nawaz had been lined up to open the show, along with some emerging designers, he arrived late to the venue. He presented his monochromatic collection titled Black Friday, comprising black formals with white lowers, which  is meant to depict the depression of the Pakistani youth.

The show also featured Sameer Ali, an Asian Institute of Fashion Design graduate, who showcased his collection titled Urban Vogue. His clothes were mostly made from leather and silk. Designer duo Akbar & Babar presented their collection named Kamaliyaat, featuring screen printed kurtas.

Another designer Daniyal, who has a strong presence on Facebook, also showcased his collection of customised menswear. Designer Tayyab Bombal presented his collection of multihued ties and shirts. Bombal also displayed his collection of kurtas titled Namaloom Afraad, inspired by the incidents of terror in Pakistan. The collection James Bond, designed by Waleed Bilwani, was also showcased, in which Bilwani paid tribute to the Hollywood legend.

The show was a preview of the Men’s Fashion Week which is scheduled in the last week of April this year. Let’s hope that the actual event is better organised.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2013.                

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