Here’s the last of my Fashion Week reviews for the blog…done very briefly because now I have to come up with something original and constructive for Dawn Images. It’s tough to be a blogger or a journalist and even tougher when you have to do both. Not complaining though…I love every bit of my job! So, here goes…
Sana Safinaz Spring Summer 2013
The second half of the day opened with the most awaited Sana Safinaz high street collection and though it was modified and glammed up for the catwalk (a necessity), it was obvious that the runway to retail diffusion would be terrific. I have seen the inventory that is ready to go in and open to public on April 24 at Dolmen Mall Karachi and I can vouch for the beauty of how high street is about to change in Pakistan. From clothes to bags, bangles, bandanas and much more, this will be Pakistan’s very own Zara or Top Shop. As for the aesthetic, it’s Sana and Safinaz; they simply can’t go wrong.
Gul Ahmed
Indulgent in fabric, Gul Ahmed was more commercial than cutting edge. But it was a show that commanded respect, if anything then for the magnitude of the brand. Again, did it belong in fashion week? No. We would love to see mega brand GA teaming up with designers and making their ready to wear a trend setter instead of market follower.
Hajra Hayat Summer 2013
Oops. The models forgot to wear their lowers. But no, Hajra Hayat unfortunately belongs to the generation of designers who make frocks like kaam wali kameezes. Now, that variety of designers disappeared when they didn’t pass the PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week clearance. Alas Fashion Pakistan wasn’t as discerning. And we bore the brunt of it. Sigh. At 11 pm into the evening, this collection was a guaranteed formula for nightmares.
Jaffer Jees Summer 2013
Jaffer Jees is an iconic, classic Pakistani brand and since it’s so conservative, someone had a genius idea to delegate the wardrobe and grooming to young and zany Wardha Saleem and Nubain Ali. The result: a show that really worked well.
Nauman Arfeen SANDS OF TIME
I have to confess I wasn’t expecting this from Nauman Arfeen. His collection had some very tasteful elements and the Pakistaniat of it all was endearing. I could see bits of Adnan Pardesy here, which is a good thing.
Deepak Perwani FRIEDA GOES TO KHARADAR
Crazy magnificent prints, Deepak Perwani’s ode to eclectic artistic Frida Kahlo took him back to the top of the fashion ladder. And thank heavens for that. Colour is in his chromosomes and he handles it so well. Plus, he has the stores so it’ll be interesting to see him inject all this energy into them. Can’t wait. Welcome back Deepak!
Ps. I think I forgot to review Hasina Khanani but it’s close to midnight, I’m exhausted and she should be relieved since I hadn’t anything good to say about it anyway.
Photography: Faisal Farooqui courtesy Lotus PR
Hair and makeup: Saba Ansari
Choreography: Frieha Altaf
