ISLAMABAD: The third and final day of Fashion Pakistan Week 2019 held at Karachi’s iconic Beach Luxury Hotel, had the city’s designers embrace the standout fact of the season: it’s wedding time. With the runway thronged in festive colours and metallics, the romance of the happily-ever-after took center ramp.
AYESHA IBRAHIM
Ayesha Ibrahim’s ‘Ishq-e-Raag’ was a fresh and inspired collection which did the seemingly impossible: it followed a very precise colour palette. Comprised of flowy lehengas, trousers and straight shirts, sarees and gowns all in metallic silvers, ivories and different shades of pink, it was a rare sight to see a designer play within a restricted colour wheel. But Ibrahim did great work, keeping the collection fun and with details that definitively separated one look from the next.
DEEPAK PERWANI
Every year on the fashion ramp, romance is usually listed as one inspiration or theme in wedding collections, but Deepak Perwani’s ‘Shalimar’ brought romance to life. First, this was a collection which presented unexpected colour on traditional silhouettes head on and also sent each design out in pairs while his models twirled, flirted and blushed away in saturated hues, tissue and organza details and in bridal outfits that were incredibly impactful. The grooms’ looks were knock-outs as well, with Perwani, a veteran designer, known for encouraging and focusing on grooms getting in on the wedding spirit.
HUMA ADNAN
‘Darwaish’ by Huma Adnan was a collection inspired by spirituality and sufism, and one that delivered. Adnan’s collection incorporated prints, embroideries, crystal work and lace, and also swayed heavily into reigning microtrend territory, i.e. Pakistani bridals in unapologetic colours. Adnan sent burnt oranges, bright mustards and dreamy corals down the ramp in ensembles that were just the right balance between traditional and contemporary. From brides to wedding attendees to a black-tie night, the collection was wearable and fashion forward.
NAUMAN ARFEEN
Nauman Arfeen, one of the few designers who creates clothes for both brides and grooms, presented ‘Uraan,’ a classic, unfussy collection elevated by its fine detailing. There was a burgundy sherwani with deep, dark red embroideries across it and a muslin colored three-piece ensemble featuring a wide leg shalwar and short jacket. Arfeen’s collection illustrated the story of a man learning to let go of his son as he is about to be married, a theme that is usually reserved for the other gender and one not often seen on the fashion ramp!
SABA ASAD
‘Limitless,’ Saba Asad’s couture presentation featured the designer’s signature hand embroidery across a collection made up of formal separates. Though these are not traditionally bridal looks, they can be worn to attend a wedding or even worn by a bride looking to break from tradition. The collection included metallic fabrics, blacks, whites and pinks with Swarovski crystal work weaving through pearls, and fine, intricate gota work.
SADAF FAWAD KHAN
“Adam and Eve” by Sadaf Fawad Khan was a pretty, albeit expected, take on bridal wear, and featured some more tried and tested bridal options like long shirts paired with lehengas, lehenga cholis with sheer detailing and gowns. A rosy hued, floral ensemble opened the show, and the collection gave its nod to trending colours and craftsmanship across the FPW ramp.
SHIZA HASSAN
By the designer’s own admission, ‘Talea’ by Shiza Hasan was designed for the “regal yet enthralling bride with a smile on her face.” Though bridal in nature, the collection brought some stylistic uniqueness into the mix by playing with cuts and styles not often associated with bridals, including a standout gold look with asymmetrical straps, sheer cross-over panels and culottes. The collection was a celebration of fuchsia, peaches, deep reds and multiple shades of garnet.
ZAINAB CHOTTANI
‘Khwahish,’ which means ‘wish,’ by Zainab Chottani was quirky, fun, whimsical and grounded in tradition, a possibly true come-to-life moment for today’s modern bride looking for her mega moment, while also wanting to invest in clothing that can be worn otherwise as well. The collection had ivory and gold, peacock blues, traditional reds and deep grey colours running through it but also had splashes of unexpected contrasts and more modern silhouettes playing against those fit for a traditional queen. Chottani’s collection was a strong follow-up to her show-stealing collection at PLBW earlier this year.
