Shamaeel, after her showing, last year.
To a fashion journalist (that’s me) there’s hardly anything more exciting than the idea of fashion week around the corner. And as this week begins, that thrill is stepping in with Fashion Pakistan Week Spring/Summer 2014 (#FPWS2014). The fashion council may have skipped (yet) another season by giving Autumn/Winter a miss (the last FPW was in April 2013) but it returns with a stronger lineup, offering a happy mix of designers from Lahore and Karachi, from the pool of established veterans to a puddle of talented newbies.
From the given lineup, I am looking forward to Gulabo, Shamaeel Ansari, Nomi Ansari, HSY, Deepak Perwani, Fahad Hussayn, Faraz Mannan, Mohsin Ali, Nida Azwer, Ali Xeeshan, Adnan Pardesy, Wardha Saleem and of course, Tapulicious by Tapu Javeri: a show of Tapu’s eponymous prints that have been designed by Kamiar Rokni, Mohsin Ali and HSY. When talking about his collection and choice of designers, Tapu explained that the idea was cultivated when they all (recently) travelled to Paris for a fashion show. I’m sure this show will be fun and this time the designs will be made available for retail afterwards.
Can Aamna Aqeel live up to expectations set last year?
Aamna Aqeel, in this second showing since last year’s successful debut, will be under a lot of pressure to impress just as well. I have to say that at least three consecutively good collections will put (or keep) a designer on the style radar. Zainab Chhotani is up for that challenge too. And Nauman Arfeen will have to show something beyond large turbans and predictable (albeit nice) ethnic menswear to impress.
I have to say that I am equally excited by the introduction of Daaman, Sheep and Inaaya. Daaman and Sheep are long overdue for a fashion week outing; these retailers have been popular amongst regular fashion buyers and it’ll be very interesting to see how these commercial (yet aesthetically fine) brands are modified for the runway. Inaaya, while not so widespread, has garnered a name in ethical fashion as Naushaba Brohi, the designer, works with women in interior Sindh to create contemporary, smart clothing. Her debut will also be looked out for.
Jafferjees, GulAhmed, Levi’s, Lala Textiles and Kayseria Pret complete the list with a mandatory attendance of mega-brands and an FP Bank Alfalah Graduate Show as well as a Maybelline Trend Show will complete the lineup.
While a couple of FPW regulars will be missed, you cannot imagine my joy at not seeing so many third class designers from last season (or the seasons before) on this year’s list. I’d like to think that the council and advisory committee has (finally) put a selection process in motion. May this be a concrete step in the business of fashion and the development of retail that puts style in orbit in Pakistan.
For whatever it’s worth, one thing is sure: FPW SS 2014 timing is spot on, in sync with the international circuit and it will help fashion lovers across the country determine summer trends well in time to be able to execute them!
