Daily Times

The fashion week madness has begun yet again for the 11th PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week 2018. This time at the Lahore Expo Centre, which was attended by the who’s who of the fashion and entertainment industry.

It is no doubt that the fashion weeks are all about putting your best fashion foot forward; from celebrities to models, from journalists to socialites, everyone wants to look good for the red carpet. Not only that, with numerous fashion weeks that place in the country, it can be said that PFDC still takes the lead when it comes to showcasing new trends, upcoming designers and following the international fashion weeks pattern.

Day 1 opened with an interesting prét-a-porter shows featuring a segment with PEL Craft/Design show which featured 4-piece capsule by designers JEEM by Hamza Bokhari, Zonia Anwaar, Shahroz Tariq and Akif Mahmood featuring jewellery by GOLD by Reema Malik and a solo showcase by the contemporary designer Hira Ali.

The 4-piece capsule was all about turning a sub-continental craft into outfits with contemporary cuts, edgy style statements and a soft colour palette.

Zonia Anwaar’s collection ‘Senchi’ was all about chíc style shirts and pants with embroideries on modern silhouettes featuring spring colours and giving off an ethnic vibe. Following this was Hamza Bokhari’s collection ‘East Bound’ featured menswear and womenswear in a subtle summer colours palette. The collection featured intricate cotton thread embroideries on both men’s and women’s wear with shirts, culottes, pants. The first ever trans-model Maavia showstopped for Hamza Bokhari.

Following this, there was a collection inspired by 8-bit pixel art titled ‘Pixelated Euphoria’ by Shahroz Tariq Khan. The collection featured jumpsuits and flowy dresses in white and pastel colours, giving the euphoric summer/spring feel to it. This collection was all about minimalist design and cuts which mixed eastern and western trends. The use of fabrics like organza and cotton net on the ensembles made the collection was done in a rather convincing manner.

Following the International Women’s Day, this Luxury Prét collection was dedicated to all the strong and independent women out there. Keeping true to her style aesthetics, Hira showcased ensembles with contemporary silhouettes with embellished skirts, pants, dresses, statement sleeved shirts accessorised with clutches

Akif Mahmood closed this segment with his pashtoon inspired collection. The use of peplum tops and intricate embroideries on the pants was rather pleasing to the eye. The colour palette was mostly in whites using tribal designs and pompoms on each ensemble.

The solo show for Day 1 was that of Hira Ali’s collection ‘Women is Future’. Following the International Women’s Day, this Luxury Prét collection was dedicated to all the strong and independent women out there. Keeping true to her style aesthetics, Hira showcased ensembles with contemporary silhouettes with embellished skirts, pants, dresses, statement sleeved shirts accessorised with clutches. The colour palette featured blues, whites, reds and beiges.

With silk threads and use of various beads intricately used in the collection, Hira Ali also aims at forming a ‘Women in Fashion’ collective to raise awareness about various women-related issues.

Following a half an hour break, which is mandatory at every fashion show. The last grouped show for the night featured Hussain Rehar, Arjumand Bano and Sania Maskatiya.

Hussain Rehar with an risky style aesthetic showcased his collection ‘Sunken Reverie’. An interesting collection no doubt, featured striped blazers, jackets highlighted with zippers, sheer net skirts and stockings. The floor length dresses and stripes hanging off with delicate embroideries with 3D embellishments and cutout metal rings, it can be said that a lot of thought went into making this collection come to life. The colour palette ranged from mustards to blues, silvers to pinks and tangerines and blacks and whites. These silhouettes were definitely trendy and eye catching but not something one can carry off the ramp, unless carried with confidence.

The second last collection for the night was the Jungle inspired ‘My Head is the Jungle’ by Arjumand Bano. The silks and botanic inspired prints were all part of the idea of bringing Emma Louise’s song ‘My head is a jungle’ to life.

The collection featured silhouettes that included jumpsuits, dresses, jackets and trenches. The colour palette was mostly in greens with floral motifs, 3D embellishments and fancy headpieces. Last collection for the night was Sani Maskatiya’s ‘Colour Dash’. As the name suggests it was all about colours of spring featuring drapes, statement tops, pants and trendy silhouettes!

And that’s how the first day of PFDC Fashion Week concluded. We certainly can’t wait to see what is in-store for Day 2.

Published in Daily Times, March 11^th 2018.