Expo Pakistan 2013: make way for a fashion showcase
Two-day fashion shows kicks off on September 26.
TDAP’s schedule boasts bigger names than last year, along with lesser known faces and some new entrants. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
There is good news for the fashion-starved, terror-stricken city of Karachi — the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is organising Expo Pakistan 2013 together with a two-day fashion showcase. The last fashion shows we saw in the city were Fashion Pakistan Week 5 and the dramatic Bridal Couture Week in April. The upcoming show will be held on September 26 and September 27.
The highpoint of the fashion show is its line-up. With rumours that FPW may not be happening this year, TDAP’s schedule boasts bigger names than last year, along with lesser known faces and some new entrants. Here’s a rundown of who’s showing:
Day 1
Rizwan Beyg
With his “rural to the runway” philosophy, Rizwan has brought Sindhi handwork to the ramp — transforming small town crafts to high fashion, wearable garments. His aim is to use Pakistan’s indigenous art forms, such as the beautiful truck art collection at PSFW, and turn it into globally-acknowledged fashion.
SanaSafinaz
We are always excited to see what the lawn queens SanaSafinaz are bringing to the ramp. Since the event promises to have many foreign buyers, we are keen to see SanaSafinaz’s collection, which is said to have a vintage, ’40s feel.
Zaheer Abbas
Ever since he made his debut in 2010, Zaheer Abbas has transformed his brand into an eponymous label. Abbas will showcase his spring summer 2013 prêt-à-porter collection titled La Base which emphasises on basic silhouettes without using any form of embellishment and print. We love his prêt collections because his cuts and fittings are immaculate, so he is one to look out for.
Faiza Samee
The seasoned Faiza Samee, who also showed last year at TDAP, is famed for her signature screen prints and embroideries. Her collection at the event will be an embodiment of the same.
Tapu Javeri
Photoragpher-turned-designer Tapu Javeri will feature his line Tapulicious, which is an evolution of his photo manipulations into wearable art. For the fashion showcase, he has used his photographs taken in Pakistan to create both prints and bags. Divided into four sections, his collection will feature vibrant prints and unique art in the form of bags, scarves, prints and even shoes and earrings.
Farnaz Mustafa
Karachi-based Farnaz Mustafa, who is better known for her bridal couture in a niche market, will showcase her collection featuring her signature style exuberant bridal pieces. We’re wondering how this will fare at a fashion show where others are showing largely prêt wear. For her latest collection, Farnaz has taken inspiration from the Mogul era with elements of modernity. Her line includes saris, intricately-worked jackets and antique embellishments on net.
Sania Maskatiya
Sania Maskatiya has emerged stronger with each collection this year. While FPW didn’t have us jumping up and down, her PSFW collection hit the spot and was styled to perfection. We are excited to see her flirt with cuts and styling at TDAP.
PIFD
Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD) will showcase selected work of the graduating batch of 2013, which includes pieces from the department of fashion design, jewellery design and gemological sciences and leather footwear and accessories. This segment is usually one to look out for in terms of outlandish designs — let’s hope we are amused and enchanted this time.
Day 2
Maheen Khan
Founder of Gulabo, Maheen Khan will feature her collection inspired by trucks and rickshaws. While the theme has been done to death, Rizwan Beyg’s spin on the same at PSFW leaves us thinking this fashion doyenne will pull something out of her hat that leaves us spellbound.
Deepak Perwani
Deepak Perwani’s collection is exclusively created for the Pakistan Expo 2013. The collection will encompass freedom for Frida Kahlo as she travels from Kharadar to Defence, absorbing Karachi’s cultural diversity and cosmopolitan persona. We’ve seen the clever collection at FPW5 this year, and hope the export line has something different.
Umaima Mustafa
Umaima Mustafa (daughter of Day1 designer Farnaz Mustafa) will be showcasing her debut collection, which aims to balance construction and fluidity. Palettes of black, beige, white and gold have been used to create funky pieces. We’ve never seen her work but are looking forward to her ramp debut as there are whispers that she is edgy and uber-talented.
Fahad Hussayn
Fahad Hussayn’s collection titled Palatial Kitsch includes ready-to-wear pre-fall clothes inspired by the fallen decadence of exuberant palaces and the glitz and glamour of the cosmopolitan.
Ayesha Ibrahim
Ayesha Ibrahim’s collection will be a fusion of East and West, comprising colourful pants, jackets and long gowns.
Ahmed Bham
Menswear designer Ahmed Bahm’s collection will include detailed tapered suits.
Shamaeel Ansari
Shamaeel Ansari’s collection will feature luxury prêt. Each ensemble has cross cultural inspirations — she has combined prints, solids and crafts to create the collection. After a breathtaking display at FPW5, we cannot wait to see what the fashion ace has up her sleeve.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 24th, 2013.
There is good news for the fashion-starved, terror-stricken city of Karachi — the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is organising Expo Pakistan 2013 together with a two-day fashion showcase. The last fashion shows we saw in the city were Fashion Pakistan Week 5 and the dramatic Bridal Couture Week in April. The upcoming show will be held on September 26 and September 27.
The highpoint of the fashion show is its line-up. With rumours that FPW may not be happening this year, TDAP’s schedule boasts bigger names than last year, along with lesser known faces and some new entrants. Here’s a rundown of who’s showing:
Day 1
Rizwan Beyg
With his “rural to the runway” philosophy, Rizwan has brought Sindhi handwork to the ramp — transforming small town crafts to high fashion, wearable garments. His aim is to use Pakistan’s indigenous art forms, such as the beautiful truck art collection at PSFW, and turn it into globally-acknowledged fashion.
SanaSafinaz
We are always excited to see what the lawn queens SanaSafinaz are bringing to the ramp. Since the event promises to have many foreign buyers, we are keen to see SanaSafinaz’s collection, which is said to have a vintage, ’40s feel.
Zaheer Abbas
Ever since he made his debut in 2010, Zaheer Abbas has transformed his brand into an eponymous label. Abbas will showcase his spring summer 2013 prêt-à-porter collection titled La Base which emphasises on basic silhouettes without using any form of embellishment and print. We love his prêt collections because his cuts and fittings are immaculate, so he is one to look out for.
Faiza Samee
The seasoned Faiza Samee, who also showed last year at TDAP, is famed for her signature screen prints and embroideries. Her collection at the event will be an embodiment of the same.
Tapu Javeri
Photoragpher-turned-designer Tapu Javeri will feature his line Tapulicious, which is an evolution of his photo manipulations into wearable art. For the fashion showcase, he has used his photographs taken in Pakistan to create both prints and bags. Divided into four sections, his collection will feature vibrant prints and unique art in the form of bags, scarves, prints and even shoes and earrings.
Farnaz Mustafa
Karachi-based Farnaz Mustafa, who is better known for her bridal couture in a niche market, will showcase her collection featuring her signature style exuberant bridal pieces. We’re wondering how this will fare at a fashion show where others are showing largely prêt wear. For her latest collection, Farnaz has taken inspiration from the Mogul era with elements of modernity. Her line includes saris, intricately-worked jackets and antique embellishments on net.
Sania Maskatiya
Sania Maskatiya has emerged stronger with each collection this year. While FPW didn’t have us jumping up and down, her PSFW collection hit the spot and was styled to perfection. We are excited to see her flirt with cuts and styling at TDAP.
PIFD
Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD) will showcase selected work of the graduating batch of 2013, which includes pieces from the department of fashion design, jewellery design and gemological sciences and leather footwear and accessories. This segment is usually one to look out for in terms of outlandish designs — let’s hope we are amused and enchanted this time.
Day 2
Maheen Khan
Founder of Gulabo, Maheen Khan will feature her collection inspired by trucks and rickshaws. While the theme has been done to death, Rizwan Beyg’s spin on the same at PSFW leaves us thinking this fashion doyenne will pull something out of her hat that leaves us spellbound.
Deepak Perwani
Deepak Perwani’s collection is exclusively created for the Pakistan Expo 2013. The collection will encompass freedom for Frida Kahlo as she travels from Kharadar to Defence, absorbing Karachi’s cultural diversity and cosmopolitan persona. We’ve seen the clever collection at FPW5 this year, and hope the export line has something different.
Umaima Mustafa
Umaima Mustafa (daughter of Day1 designer Farnaz Mustafa) will be showcasing her debut collection, which aims to balance construction and fluidity. Palettes of black, beige, white and gold have been used to create funky pieces. We’ve never seen her work but are looking forward to her ramp debut as there are whispers that she is edgy and uber-talented.
Fahad Hussayn
Fahad Hussayn’s collection titled Palatial Kitsch includes ready-to-wear pre-fall clothes inspired by the fallen decadence of exuberant palaces and the glitz and glamour of the cosmopolitan.
Ayesha Ibrahim
Ayesha Ibrahim’s collection will be a fusion of East and West, comprising colourful pants, jackets and long gowns.
Ahmed Bham
Menswear designer Ahmed Bahm’s collection will include detailed tapered suits.
Shamaeel Ansari
Shamaeel Ansari’s collection will feature luxury prêt. Each ensemble has cross cultural inspirations — she has combined prints, solids and crafts to create the collection. After a breathtaking display at FPW5, we cannot wait to see what the fashion ace has up her sleeve.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 24th, 2013.