PFDC Day 2: Slight lull in print fever [and fashion]

Day 2 dipped in terms of the wow factor, but there were some interesting collections.

LAHORE:

Day 2 at the Pakistan Fashion Design Council (PFDC) Sunsilk Fashion Week had more misses than hits, and was  largely unexciting after a vibrant first day.

Here’s the breakdown:

Feeha Jamshed



An ode to the classic black and white combo can only be so appetising, especially if it’s mostly light cotton fabric on a ramp that has seen some beautiful digital prints on silk. But among the shiny silks and carousel of colours, Feeha’s collection hit the spot by being edgy, wearable and well-stitched. Fusing ’50s and ’60s fashion with ’90s style, Feeha’s neatly tailored safari suits, dresses, shoulder-bearing tunics and funky pants made a fashion statement and were a refreshing break from printed silks and embellishments. There was even a lab coat-inspired shirt paired with a belt, echoing a signature Feeha Jamshed look of the wide silhouette narrowing at the waist in order to keep the outline feminine. Leather hints on pockets and jackets were interesting, and we wish that she had played with them some more. Standouts included skeletal cutout backs, a pair of futuristic silver harem pants and a funky pair of pants layered from thigh to ankle. The collection was a nice change from her jumpsuits which we loved but are bored with.

Ayesha Hashwani



Ayesha has set the bar high for herself when it comes to presenting fashionable collections. With excellent draperies, cuts and a knack for making her outfits work without making a fuss. She presented long bell sleeves, different coloured linings, monochromatic pants and tasseled fringes. While the collection was not cohesive, the shaded purple cape and pants with a tasseled fringe was simple, understated and stylish — easily the biggest hit of the collection.

Shehla Chatoor



Shehla’s prints and cuts lit the ramp on fire and set a high standard that some designers could not meet later on in the evening. The Greek-inspired collection had an entire set of dresses, togas and leather shorts. Lime green is the ‘it’ colour of the season and Shehla Chatoor made sure that this delicious green made a statement in her collection. Fia walked out wearing a gold mesh dress draped with lime green and detailed with gold leather. Peek-a-boo shoulders, wrap dresses and gladiator sandals completed the perfect resort collection.

Fahad Hussayn



It was high drama on the ramp for this designer, with a morbid, ghastly vibe delivered by eerie headpieces. Models balanced elaborately made headpieces with eagles and other small birds, as well as folded metal leaves that completely covered their eyes. The attractive digital prints in watery hues also incorporated birds’ wings on dresses, kimono-type shirts, chiffon dresses and jackets. While there was a lot of theatrical styling, the cuts and drapes were forgettable. What did stand out were the men’s waistcoats; digital prints in blues and greys on white, stitched neatly into fitted waistcoats. We can see fashion savvy ladies rocking these too! Fahad Hussayn’s showstopper was an over-the-top dress embellished with metal and which showed that he is not afraid to take risks but often ends up creating pieces that leave us wondering who will wear them.

Somal Halepoto



This designer presented a collection with a Sania Maskatiya gone wrong feel to it. Showing colour blocked outfits paired with prints, Halepoto showed boyfriend blazers, ponchos, chiffon tops, culottes, capris and kameezes. With a Zara-like aesthetic, the collection had some interesting elements that were worth noticing. The biggest hit of this collection out have to be the wooden bib and metallic collars.

Nickie Nina



The designer duo closed the first act of day two with their Byzantine and Medieval heraldry collection. Metallic accents, deep V backs, stripped and sheer pants, and cutwork were all the rage for Nickie Nina this season. The gold and white slinky jumpsuit and the detailed cutwork they presented were the best elements from the collection.

Yahsir Waheed



This designer’s over-sized pants were not flattering on models who have slim figures — we can’t imagine what they would look like on regular ladies who have a bit of meat! While the cotton and chikan pant suits and kimono shirts didn’t quite work well for this collection, his tribute to Pakistani folk art in the form of digital prints was interesting. Prints in neon green, blue and a deep pink made for attractive dresses, shirts and tunics. Standouts were a kimono-type shirt with phrases such as the typical ‘dekh magar pyaar se’ written in Urdu, as well as a knee-length dress that had beautiful eyes printed on them. We wish he had played with structures and silhouettes instead of doing the over-sized pants which were far too baggy to look good.

Asifa & Nabeel



This collection was the best the designer duo has ever put out — after some questionable fashion choices in the past — but it still needed a great deal of editing. Inspired by the work of determined young artist Omar Rehman, who suffers from cerebral palsy, the duo used the muted and somber colours of Rehman’s paintings in their collection. Lace, embroidered borders and cutwork were all used on chiffons and crepe silks in beige and white with some moss greens. Short, A-line shirts without slits, asymmetrical chiffon tops and strapless shirts with capes dominated the ramp. The vibe of the collection was soft and feminine, but the finishing needed work as some camisoles were too large for the shirts and one or two outfits were not over-locked. Nevertheless, it was great to see the duo present a fashion-forward collection that is wearable.



Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2013.                    

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