KARACHI: Fashion weeks are always fun. Especially considering the amount of hard work and effort put and invested in for them to become what they are – big, illustrious and star studded. From roping in all the finest designers to planning a huge grand finale as well as the opening act and then ensuring all the media and eminent members of fashion and entertainment industry are present, not forgetting the corporate sponsor team, organising, arranging and executing a fashion show is not a common man’s job. So first and foremost, a big shoutout to the Fashion Pakistan Council for making their bi-annual event possible and that too in Karachi, under heavy security, giving people a reason to be happy and entertain themselves in a country where we know we’re not always safe, right? From a total of 19 designers that put forth their distinct formal wear, luxury prêt and bridal collections, there were some that truly stood out. Having spent years in the fashion industry as a critic, I judge a collection according to its wearability and marketability factor. While there were some collections that truly stood out in this regard like that of Suffuse by Sana Yasir, Sanam Chaudhri’s and Sana Safinaz, with their well-crafted, well chalked out collections, there were some that disappointed and in fact even raised eyebrows owing not just to their impracticality but total disregard to a woman’s grace and femininity in a family gathering or even a public outing. Day 1 opened to a stunning formal wear collection by Misha Lakhani paving way for other designers to showcase theirs. Rawalpindi-based designer Erum Khan showcased her Bridal Odyssey collection, which was unique, set in a pastel colour palette mainly, and we also loved the trendy cuts involved. However, outfit after outfit, the cuts got bigger, displaying dresses and gowns that began highlighting the upper chest area and then the cleavage but even that was ignored when along came an outfit which made our jaws drop. It was based in a sky blue colour palette with gold and maroon embellishments with black organza sleeves. Its very short trouser that ended where your knees do had long gold tassels running near the ankle. But the huge gaps right above the chest and below the breasts was what caught our attention. There were huge gaping holes just cut with a knife and that surely made us wonder if a woman or a girl in her right mind would wear these gaping holes below and above her breasts to a wedding or family function or even to a public place. The second day also did not spare us the horror. Veteran designer Sadaf Malaterre shook us completely with her collection that showcased an outfit that had nothing but a maroon slip top you can easily buy from Next or Enem’s Store or any departmental store, you don’t need an expensive designer for that as it’s surely something you wear beneath your clothes right? We love the designer for her perky, girly outfits and have always been a fan but Sadaf Malaterre displayed a maroon slip top to wear at a formal gathering with the king of plunging necklines! Plunging is surely an understated word here. Half of her upper private parts were totally nude and we doubt if the model was wearing any under garments with it. She wore a green velvet pyjama with it, but we forgive the designer thinking maybe it was a night suit and not a formal wear outfit. We even spotted two men who were seated across from us whisper something in each other’s ears on seeing her and then give each other a high five! As if that wasn’t enough, along came a blue sequined dress maxi that had a plunging back revealing the entire back and waist and starting right above her hips. Revise collections please! The third day, esteemed designer Maheen Khan who is surely one of our most favourite ones and who we consider a legend in this industry displayed her The Lion & the Muse collection. A cohesive and sexy collection that perhaps became a little too sexy. Will you wear a corset with pyjamas or paired with a mini skirt to your family wedding or event? The collection focused exactly on that. Plunging necklines on corsets and bustier tops, which had your private parts popping out! And then came a stunning red sequined sparkly dress that we would love to add to our wardrobes this year, but would’ve enjoyed seeing it more on the ramp if the model was given undergarments to wear beneath it. It got awkward and uncomfortable seeing the beautiful girl sashaying down the ramp, displaying Maheen Khan’s stunning outfit but without undergarments that made us wince and shift in our seats uncomfortably. That said, we are aware of the hard work and effort these designers put in but would enjoy seeing these outfits more if such things are taken care of. Hail fashion, hail Pakistan! Published in Daily Times, September 21st 2017.