Day Two of FPWF19 started off just the same as yesterday, with Karachi’s relentless heat and humidity a constant reminder of the city’s calm yet chaotic nature. A flurry of celebrities and fashionistas on the purple carpet, quickly making their way back to the show area or somewhere with a little respite from the crowd, and smartly enough, people seemed to be showing up fashionably later than the scheduled time on the invites; only fair.
Walking in to the show area, one immediately noticed the long row of reserved seating for international delegates and diplomats; of course, Italian designer Stella Jean was opening the day and almost a dozen foreign delegates were expected. Expectations high, and faces proud, the day started off with Stella’s collection titled Laboratory of Nations, which she had also showcased at the Milan Fashion Week earlier.
Laboratory of Nations by Stella Jean
A collection not only inspired by the indigenous craftsmanship of Chitral and Hunza, but also featuring their handiwork, the whole show was a resounding tribute to the culture and traditions of these remote locations that are often overlooked. Also featuring truck art on interesting silhouettes, Stella’s vision with her art clearly shone through; it was a perfect fusion of art, design aesthetics, and cultures.
Style Mara Tou Darna Kia by Humayun Alamgir
Humayun Alamgir‘s flamboyant show, of seemingly his own personality, followed next. The collection titled Style Mara tou Darna Kia was loud, exuded confidence, and demanded attention and approval. With his troupe of over-the-top confident men in luxe velvet and wool, Humayun’s show was one of the more fun shows on day two, even though menswear shows tend to get monotonous and boring. His play on classic silhouettes for men featured eccentric motifs and unconventional embellishments and/or styling which made it stand out.
Color by Technicolor by The Pink Tree Company
The Pink Tree Company stood by its staple and as always, it worked! If one had to pick one show with the most apt music for their collection, this would be it. The whole old cinema vibe of the collection, titled Color by Technicolor, was in tune through out the show, not once faltering with the music, which was Abba revisited in Hindi/Urdu, making everyone groove as the technicolor ensembles rolled out. In its essence, Color by Technicolor is Pink Tree Company’s ethos at its core, and they make it work well on the runway.
Shahi Rendezvous by Zellbury
We were pretty curious to see what Zellbury had to show on the FPWF19 runway, and the moment their collection titled Shahi Rendezvous took the ramp, we were hit with an overload of clashing aesthetics. In an effort to channel the Mughal era in the 21st century, the collection somehow seemed lost in the time lapse, however some standout pieces did impress, and the variation in design really caught the eye.
Street Style by Splash
Bringing street style chic to the runway and making it look fashion can be taxing. Taking the risk, high street brand Splash sent out their collection titled Street Style that seemed fit for the average grab-n-go kind of styling. Perfect for heading out with friends or for when you feel like you’re traversing around on the streets of NYC, this collection was the ultimate comfort style.
Centre of Gravity by Zuria Dor
Next up was Zuria Dor’s Centre of Gravity. A collection that seemed to be two poles apart at the same time was a bit confusing to digest at first as the ensembles rolled out on the catwalk. However there were some pieces one would want in their wardrobe for some added style quotient (like the sheer, self printed coats). Â The collection unfortunately failed to deliver any classic, memorable outfit, and at times felt as though two different minds were at work and decided to send out each mind’s creativity on the ramp. The contrasting aesthetics looked good on their own, however.
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something not so blue by Maheen Khan
Closing day two on a classic note was Maheen Khan‘s ode to a timeless style sense, one which she is so known for. Sticking to Maheen’s minimalist sense of design, Something old, something new, something borrowed and something not so blue, was a show that one had to experience to truly get its worth. Not much more has to be written about Maheen who has been celebrated for decades now, and her understanding of her craft is reflected cleanly and without fuss each time. A standout collection on day two for sure.
Now on to the waiting game for the final day of FPWF19…
- All photographs are credited to Faisal Farooqui at Dragonfly
