Daily Times

Glamour, lights, energy – the most anticipated fashion event of the year, Pakistan Bridal Couture Week recently concluded and as always took the fashion world by storm. The mesmerising show teleported individuals into a distinctive world where boundaries are broken, uniqueness is unleashed and the power of fashion is demonstrated by trend setting collection of designers that think out of the box.

Although numerous collections have been exhibited in previous years which comprised short dresses and showed quite a lot of skin, the designers were left off the hook as those dresses were constructed on a total western notion

Fashion designers are always aiming to impress audiences by making bold statements or showing something unique and Hussain Rehar did just that with his dramatic collection Rgyaal Mo. Rehar’s collection caused a stir among the attendees (even causing some of them to rise from their seats). Majority of the silhouettes consisted of only shirts with no hint of lowers although there were other magnificent pieces in this fashion line.

The collection caused immense controversy and people objected by terming it to be excessively revealing and immodest. The models who flaunted these barefoot were looked down upon as few hemlines reached up to the thighs. If the shirts are viewed singly, one can praise the intricacy of the work put into them. The flamboyant use of embellishments and striking color combinations are dazzling. The fashion line does justice to the theme but the foundation for all the heavy criticism was that people found it against the social norms and culture of the society. Although numerous collections were exhibited in previous years which comprised of short dresses and showed quite a lot of skin, they were left off the hook as those dresses were constructed on a total western notion. This, on the other hand, was neither western nor purely eastern because the shirts were not tailored in a western style. The shirts even contained side slits which are a characteristic component of kameez but it was worn as a dress. The eyes of laymen were not accustomed to seeing shirts without trousers. The designer endeavored to convey something out of the ordinary and it was a daring and experimental move that should be appreciated.

Published in Daily Times, September 13^th 2018.