LAHORE:
The eighth PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week officially commenced on April 19, marking the sixth consistent year of the prêt a porter platform.
Indeed the 8th PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week marks the twelfth fashion week platform initiated by the Pakistan Fashion Design Council [with eight weeks of prêt-à-porter and four of bridal fashion] and is a direct manifestation of the Council’s commitment to sustainability and discipline within the business of fashion and the facilitation of Pakistan’s retail industry. Indeed #PSFW15 endeavours to define and present trends for 2015, focusing specifically on fashion for the regions’ long hot summer months. Day-1 marked the first day of the prét-a-porter shows featuring Fahad Hussayn, the Bank Alfalah Rising Talent Show, Misha Lakhani, Zonia Anwaar, Natasha Kamal and Nickie Nina.
Indeed the success of PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week continues to prompt private sector associates to grow in their engagement of the platform to launch new products, marketing campaigns and promotional activities. To this end, the PFDC’s evolving partnership with Sunsilk grows exponentially this year whereby in addition to their title patronage; Sunsilk also takes over the coveted PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week red carpet and the Green Room/Backstage, as sponsors. This extension of their support is indeed a manifestation of the brand’s belief in and commitment to the platform. Also in continuation of their support for the platform, Fed Ex – GSP Pakistan Gerry’s International returns to PSFW as the official logistics partner, offering the PFDC a special arrangement for international designer consignments.
PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week 2015 is being styled by the creative teams at Nabila’s and NGENTS. Light design, set design, sound engineering, video packaging, choreography and show production from concept to construction is by HSY Events, front stage management by Maheen Kardar Ali, backstage management by Product 021, Sara Shahid of Sublime by Sara as the official spokesperson for the PFDC, logistics and operations by Eleventh Experience and photography by Faisal Farooqui and the team at Dragonfly, Hum TV/Hum Sitaray as the Official Media Partners, CityFM89 as the Official Radio Partners with all media management by Lotus Client Management & Public Relations.
Designer Showcases:
Fahad Hussayn
PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week 2015’s evening Luxury/Prêt Shows on Day-1 was opened by designer Fahad Hussayn who showcased a collection titled ‘Democrats Midsummer 2015’. The collection featured five standalone prints from the Fahad Hussayn Print Musuem Live Digital Prints in silk and chiffon. In addition to this, the collection featured four luxury lawn editions with exquisite textures, floral designs derived from the renaissance aesthetic and 16th century French garden layouts. The collection also featured five exclusive novelty editions in signature Fahad Hussayn hand embroidered couture. While in the real world democracy is a luxury that only a few can afford, the Democrats collection represented freedom of choice to dress as one desires. Presenting a range of separates in different design variations for the festive season ahead, the collection featured Fahad Hussayn’s signature drapes, embroidered surfaces, statement accessories and exclusive embroideries.
Bank Alfalah Rising Talent Show
Bank Alfalah further enhanced their association with the PFDC through the Bank Alfalah Rising Talent showcase comprising of 4 emerging designers. Indeed, Bank Alfalah’s patronage of the PFDC has grown from being a permanent banking partner to now working with the PFDC to nurture an entire generation of Pakistan’s emerging design talent, through this showcase. Additionally, Bank Alfalah will also be sponsoring the winner of Bank Alfalah Rising Talent Show through a dedicated rack display at the PFDC Lahore multi-label outlet for up to 6 months post PSFW whereas the PFDC itself has offered its participating designers complimentary 3-day exhibition space at its Lahore multi-label store between 15th April and 15th June 2015.
Asrar Yaqoob made his PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week debut at the ‘Bank Alfalah Rising Talent Show’ segment with a collection titled ‘Camel Art’. The women’s wear collection drew inspiration from an art form known as Camel Art, a specific art form that is traditionally done on camel skin by the nomads of Cholistan. The pieces in ‘Camel Art’ were a mixture of art and culture that presented the story of how nomad people lived and travelled along with their belongings. The collection was based in a colour palette of camel skin, brown and multicolor accents in luxe fabrics including cotton carandi, printed mareena, pure leather and laser cut fabric. ‘Camel Art’ was a reflection of the ideal summer collection due to its fabric and feel. It featured lightweight flowy fabrics and drapes which provided breathing space. The designer had used vibrant printed linings to give a summery look to the pieces.
Emerging designer Hisham Malik made his debut at the ‘Bank Alfalah Rising Talent Show’ segment of PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week 2015 with a collection titled ‘Zirah’. The collection took its inspiration from the remarkable women that served as its muse. In particular, it drew references from the designer’s discussions with several accomplished professional women. A few common threads ran through the dialogues – feminine strength and concordant complexity. Specifically, modern professional women are revising the definition of an able leader, by embracing their femininity and exhibiting fortitude in a composed manner. Similarly, these women lead multi-faceted yet harmonious lives, made possible through their ability to delve into intricacies while balancing summation of their many roles and identities. The collection was based in a diversity of lux fabrics including cotton net, kamaliya khaddar, dupioni silk, devore, raw silk, chiffon and embossed silk in a sublime colour palette comprising of lake blue, crème, blush pink, silver grey and black. The collection showcased modern but relaxed tailoring, kimono and Japanese inspired shapes and sculptural draping with intricate embellishments including fabric loop applique, contemporary zardozi work and anchor thread shadow work. The collection featured trends such as soft structures, business-wear details and Japanese inspired details.
New talent Najia Qazi made her PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week debut in the ‘Bank Alfalah Rising Talent Show’ segment with a women’s wear collection titled ‘Sar Bakaf’. The collection was inspired by the tale of the great saintly figure named Sarmad during the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s time period, depicted in the famous Pakistani artist Sadequain’s painting. This particular saint had unbridgeable religious differences with the Emperor, who despised him in turn and ordered his head to be chopped off. What was witnessed after the beheading was a sight many bore witness to; the saint carried his chopped head in his hand and walked around Jamia Masjid. Such a sight was a testimony to his saintly status, but also led to fear and terror amongst the town’s people as well. The idea of ‘Sar Bakaf’ led the designer to create rebellious, distorted elements blended with a tailored look along with interesting details in sleeves, accomplished through the use of zippers and frayed hemlines. The pieces in the collection were based on sheer organza and men’s wear suiting fabric that were embellished with drapes, egg shells, fabric paints and machine embroidery. The collection was based in a colour palette of earthy hues, slate, charcoal, weed green with hints of burnt orange balanced with shades of white. Garments in ‘Sar Bakaf’ could be worn as separates such as in skirts and pants which had been paired up with boxy jackets and crop tops. The collection demonstrated drapes and asymmetrical cut lines in line with current seasonal trends.
Nida Waqar showcased a collection titled ‘Creatures and Curious Minds’ during the ‘Bank Alfalah Rising Talent Show’ at PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week 2015. The designer made her PSFW debut with a women’s wear collection that was inspired by the scientific illustrations of natural specimens, in the thesaurus ‘Cabinet of Natural Curiosities’ compiled by the Dutch pharmacist and collector Albertus Seba. The conceptual framework focused on Seba’s one of a kind Cabinet of Curiosities where nature is intelligently juxtaposed with creativity, curiosity is crafted in science and elements of the natural world are intertwined with an air of mystery unique to Seba’s collection. The silhouettes were exaggerated, inspired by the anatomy of few of Seba’s beautifully illustrated natural specimens. Significant features of the collection included asymmetrical jackets, deconstructed pleated collars, twisted sleeves and the jacket dress. Layering was incorporated with separates being paired together to create the final look, prints combined with transparency to create the curiosity element in the garments and the collection as a whole. The insects were developed in luxe materials through hand embroideries to keep the intricacy of the illustrations intact and give the insects a much theatrical welcome to the fashion world. Embellishments included sequins, threads and beads. The beauty and precision of the hand drawn illustrations in the thesaurus were also translated through digital prints for the garments. Luxe silks and organzas were used by the designer to develop an avant-garde collection which was based in a colour palette comprising of a diversity of shades that shifted from soft amber, off-white and delta grey, to saffron yellow with marsala and olive green in accents. Trends highlighted in the collection consisted of asymmetrical silhouettes, deconstructed tailoring and canary yellow hues.
Misha Lakhani
The Bank Alfalah Rising Talent Show was followed by Misha Lakhani who presented her collection ‘Modern Mughal’. Inspired from the juxtaposition of old and new, cartography, versatility, heirloom jewelry, effortless shapes and bare shoulders, Misha used a variety of fabrics, cuts and embellishments such as jersey, organza, silk voile, silk shantung, stretch satin, slubbed linen and lace with pearls, piping, applique, cutwork and beautiful jeweled belts and gladiator flats. With a colour palette comprising of pink opal, Lucite green, navy, aquamarine, ivory and biscuits, key trends highlighted were sari dresses, cinched fronts with billowy backs, sari skirts, versatile pieces, beautiful yet effortless shapes infused with cool irreverence that were easy to dress up or down.
Zonia Anwaar
Zonia Anwaar marked her fourth showcase at PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week 2015 with a collection titled ‘Zambezi.’ Inspired by Africa, Zonia Anwaar’s collection paid tribute to what she considers one of the finest creations of art, Kenyan masks, and its associated mysteries, traditions and rituals of African tribes. ‘Zambezi’ was based in woven textured organza, customized wooden beads, solid firozas and tribal metal pieces accompanied by signature prints and tapered silhouettes. In line with her inspiration, Zonia selected a distinct palette of Mikado Yellow, Tangerine Tango, Sand, Honey Gold, Moonstone Blue, French Beige, Ecru and Black with trends of sheer bombers, cutout details, basic necklines, abstract prints, tribal embellishments and shorter hemlines.
Natasha Kamal
Natasha Kamal made her ramp debut in PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week 2015’s Luxury/Prêt segment with her collection, ‘Le Nouvel Esprit.’ Inspired by the Art Deco movement of the 1920’s the collection drew references to the period’s modern styling which combined traditional motifs with industrial age imagery and materials. The collection featured rich colours, bold geometric shapes and lavish ornamentation. ‘Le Nouvel Esprit’ was based in pure silks, chiffon, organza, suede and net with art deco inspired embellishments and patterns using gota, cut-work and applique alongside crystals, sequin, beads and studs. The collection featured deep hues of blues, bourdeaux and gold accompanied by softer tones of woodbine green, nude and white. With great focus on silhouettes, cuts and symmetry, ‘Le Nouvel Esprit’ featured trends of floral prints paired with bold stripes, a couture take on geometric designs, which looked to symmetry rather than asymmetry and to the rectilinear rather than the curvilinear. Renowned media personality By Hina Khwaja Bayat and Turkish personality Nur Maden walked the ramp as celebrity showstoppers of the brand’s fashion presentation.
Nickie Nina
Day-1’s finale was presented by Nickie Nina who showcased their Luxury/Prêt collection titled ‘Chambeli’. Inspired by all the beautiful flowers of the sub-continent and their charming aroma, the collection featured luxe fabrics, cuts and embellishments such as organza, chiffon, silk net, georgettes, french laces, real pearls and 3D floral work based in a colour palette of white, ivory, beige, silvers and black. Key trends highlighted in the collection were short and long shirts, bell bottoms, middies, summer coats, capes, ties, modified shalwars in an amalgamation of eastern and western styles.
