KARACHI: Day three of the Showcase 2012 remained a combination of extreme highs and disappointing lows. While designers like Ishtiaq Afzal Khan and Bibi Russell left audiences wanting more, others left a bad taste.
Kuki concepts
Designer Zahid Khan of the design house Kuki Concept paid a glowing tribute to poet Maulana Rumi. The collection was in deep browns in chiffon and georgettes with chooridaar pyjamas with Turkish embroidery on some of the shawls
Trends to remember: Whirling dervishes wearing long fez hats as well as chooridars, accessorised with chunky necklaces
The feel: A Turkish delight complete with resonance of another era
The look: Rumi on the ramp
Bibi Russell
With her funky, colourful and highly wearable collection, Russell brought Bangladeshi fashion to the Pakistani runways. The model-turned-designer showcased what tourist handicraft stores are known for; indigenous beachwear clothing. Primarily fascinated by rickshaw art, she creatively used handwoven fabric in shades of yellow, orange and green.
Trends to remember: Bangladeshi cuts and style paired with funky accessories
The feel: Perfect for a day in the sun
The look: Touristy and festive
Maheen Karim & Kiran Amnanad
Karim’s collection ‘Tres Magnifique’ came down the runway with Kiran Aman’s new jewellery collection ‘Kino’. While the flowing silks and chiffons in hues of beige and yellow had a feminine appeal, they wouldn’t have been as glamorous without Aman’s signature chunky metal pieces. Although colour blocking may be trending on the catwalks these days, the technique is definitely not Karim’s forte
Trends to remember: Embellished necklines and chunky-metal jewellery
The feel: Holiday eveningwear
The look: Chic woman at a resort
Warda Saleem
Saleem’s collection was an ode to a sparrow known as jhirki. Inspired by the bird’s colours, the collection was entirely in shades of white, brown and beige which was similar to Umar Sayeed’s Sadequain collection. Even though the show started off with a powerful video, the collection wasn’t strong in terms of its cuts or styling
Trends to remember: Pants with gold and black polka dots and embroidered bird motifs
The feel: Urban savvy
The look: For the independent woman
Ishtiaq Afzal Khan
Khan’s immaculately constructed, coherent and highly covetable collection ‘Patchalicious’ was inspired by traditional patchwork. Khan really understands how to use fabric in his designs. Additionally, his natural ability to create pret, for modern women, made this collection the crowning glory of the evening
Trends to remember: Patchwork done in a contemporary colour blocking manner
The feel: Western-cut outfits styled using Pakistani techniques
The look: Traditional meets classy
Ayesha Khurram
This was one of the most confusing odes to different personalities: Marilyn Monroe and Faiz Ahmad Faiz with some designs embossed with Monroes’ face, while others had Faiz’s poetry printed on them
Trends to remember: Shimmery sequined pants
The feel: Monroe meets Faiz
The look: Lost in translation
Ibrahim Hanif
Hanif combined traditional and colourful Balochi and Sindhi embroidery in his collection giving it a very ethnic feel. With the line pivoted on truck art, it seemed natural that the belts used with skirts was actually inspired by the borders that trail below trucks. While his uppers and tops didn’t leave much of an impression, it was noteworthy that each and every lower, be it a skirt, jodhpur or narrow pant were done in a creative and fun fashion
Trends to remember: Mirror work on handbags along with funky kolhapuri chappals
The feel: Sindhi/Balochi craftman’s work
The look: Ethnic funk
Yasir Mirza
With lace and satin as primary fabrics and garish colours used in the collection, Mirza’s ‘Hiphopistan’ collection went against the traditional concept of masculinity. The look may have worked for a Victorian man, but it would not go well with practically any urban, metrosexual man
Trends to remember: Funky headgear
The feel: Victorian man
The look: Something not many self-respecting alpha males will dare to wear
Zarmina Khan
Khan’s ‘Scent of a Woman’ collection was an ode to love and serenity. Appearing on the runway were flowing chiffons in soft colours combined with models adorning real flowers in their hair, giving a romantic feel to the collection
Trends to remember: Net chooridar pyjamas
The feel: Subtle yet romantic appeal
The look: A woman in love – Thetribune
