Fashion on the front burner

Upcoming two-day showcase to feature prominent Pakistani retail brands and labels; welcomes spring season in the city.

LAHORE:

Biannual showcase Telenor Fashion Weekend will feature a host of ready-to-wear clothing brands. Slated to take place from February 20 to February 21, the show includes collections by brands and designers, such as ChenOne, Pareesa by ChenOne, Erum Khan, Faika Karim, Eden Robe, Breakout, Hang Ten, Rang Ja, Outfitters, Urban Culture, Harmony, Forestblu, and Raj by Yas. The showcase will also comprise PIFD Graduate Show and Toni&Guy trend Show. Here’s a precursor of the upcoming fashion show, which will give you a taste of what many of these labels have to offer.

ChenOne and Pareesa by ChenOne

The main line features more western cuts, such as A-line skirts, cropped pants and tops. Talking about Pareesa by ChenOne, senior designer Bilal Ashraf at ChenOne says, “With our summer collection, we celebrate a culture of robust colours and delicate designs, from the hand-woven fabrics of remote villages to the palatial abodes of Mughal emperors.”

Erum Khan

The designer’s first pret line is showing at the show. Named ‘Medallion Dusk’, the collection is inspired by the various dimensions of a woman’s personality. The simplicity, elegance, purity and strength along with glamour that many women encapsulate inspired Erum to put together this collection, says brand manager Talha Muhammad.

Faika Karim

The designer’s collection is a modern-day pret line with defined structure, pin-tucked trousers and high-waisted skirts. Their signature ‘diamond cut’ is to be launched with the new collection. Faika tells us she seeks inspiration from the likes of Valentino, Zuhair Murad and Elie Saab.



Eden Robe

Hamza Khan, marketing manager at Eden Robe, tells us about their line, “The refreshing summer sorbet is the inspiration for the kids’ casual wear. The sorbet stimulated our senses to design our latest range, which is as tasteful as the sorbet treat itself for kids to relish on a hot summer day.”

Breakout

Titled ‘For the Brave’, the collection is a tribute to victims of the Peshawar Army Public School tragedy, with a message of hope and courage for all Pakistanis. “The colour palette features pastels with a message of unity, hope and promise for the bright future of Pakistan,” says Rabia Dastgir, managing director at Breakout.

Hang Ten

Hang Ten’s new collection, by the name of ‘Summer Fling’, features a range of summer essentials with a mix of tops from rugby to graphic t-shirts to formal shirts to polo shirts. The brand attempts to embody freedom, individuality, energy and attitude through their line.

Rang Ja

The ethnic-wear brand has focused on bringing forth a fusion of Pakistani culture with contemporary styles. They have paired their signature usage of mostly vibrant colours and ethnic embroideries with subtle gold and black, and aim at a smooth transition from the ramp to daily-wear.

Outfitters

The label will put forth ‘Castaway’, a collection based on rugged, ripped jeans with heavy washes, encapsulating the summer mood with their patterns of oceanic creatures, sea birds, floral patterns and color-blocking. Focusing on making wearable clothes, Ghana Saleem, head of the brand, shares the technique they have employed, “We believe indigo-dyed garments are living things because as you wear and wash them, their color improves over the time.” Outfitters seeks inspiration from top brands, such as Zara, Bershka, H&M and Massimo Dutti.

Urban Culture

The brand’s latest collection features military colours, camouflage prints and combat boots. Rabbiya Aftab, brand manager at Urban Culture, states the line makes a powerful style statement while paying homage to the Pakistani military.

Harmony

The apparel store takes cue from the upcoming season, tilting their collection ‘Spring Garden’. It features floral patterns and hues of red, yellow and blue. The collection is well-balanced and exudes an aura of individuality and serenity. Commenting on their design philosophy, Ayesha Bajwa says it is all about fusion of traditional and contemporary to create wearable clothing.

Forestblu

Of their latest collection called ‘Hipster’, the brand’s marketing manager Farukh Majeed says that it’s based on this year’s trending fashion and cuts. The collection has a series of designs to offer, as they have upped their volume by almost 40 per cent from the preceding year.

Raj by Yas

The brand has also dedicated its collection to the Peshawar school massacre. Iqra Ismail at Raj by Yas shares, “Our collection is chic yet trendy and is in accordance with international trends, combined with local elements, to create a balance and provide the most wearable fashion.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 17^th,  2015.

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