When it boils down to basics, a day at fashion week has to be judged by the quality of design it sends out on the catwalk, the amount of style seen on its red carpets, front rows and the kind of push it gives the fashion industry in general. That’s three solid checks for PLBW Day One.
HSY
HSY brought his three muses to the catwalk: Vaneeza, Mehreen Syed and Reema, cast in the splendour of three collections in red, gold and midnight blue respectively. The runway does require exaggeration and his layering was very ambitious but the impact was grand and served a diverse palette of wedding wear for brides to choose from. I feel I should post a picture of Reema too but then her sandal malfunction is already making headlines!
Deena Rehman
Deena Rehman’s vintage workmanship took a fresh take on shorter, lighter silhouettes. It was a strong debut to make, especially since the embellishment was delicate and quaint, however flyaway threads, unsettled necklines and undone buttons should have been sorted out.
Mohsin Ali
Not one to shy away from risks, Mohsin Ali’s capsule for the Hair Trend show was my favourite. However, since it was a Hair Show, it has to be said that Shammal Qureshi and his creative team has the ability and the attitude to take fashion forward. The little runway production during the third capsule was unnecessary, I felt, but barring that his show had the right creative energy.
Exist
Exist, a subsidiary of HKB, put up a reasonably sharp collection of 32 looks for men for the wedding season. They were simple, straight forward and well put together. To have the confidence that these styles will actually be processed through stores nationwide makes the brand more relevant.
Elan by Khadija Shah
Very high on the bling factor, Khadija Shah showed incredible strength as a conventional wedding wear designer who knows how to create high impact. Her heavier ensembles were rich, ethereal and brought out her love for opulence. But she took no risks and when she did step out of her comfort zone with lighter, younger pieces, she fumbled a bit.
Sania Maskatiya
Contrary to Elan, Sania Maskatiya’s experimentation with motifs and texture was her strength. The colourful embroideries on her separates were gorgeous and brave because they might not appeal to a conventional market but that didn’t stop her. Her traditional, were comparatively weak, although they might commercially be the most popular.
CONCLUSION:Â Day One was an interesting mix of traditionalism and experimentation, soft palettes and vivid tones, culture and poking tradition in the eye with micro cholis and backless blouses. A very delightful mixed bag.
