Contrary to common international perception, Pakistani fashion is not aimed at defying the Taliban. Having initially struggled to come into its own, the country’s small but flourishing industry boasts some of the regions finest couturiers and cutting edge young talent. From stalwarts to a host of upcoming designers and from traditional to contemporary drapes, Pakistan’s fashion industry brings to the fore, a diverse variety of classic and edgy, styles, silhouettes and embellishments.
As the first ever fashion week in the country’s history, Fashion Pakistan Week is a trail blazer that has provided the industry with an ideal forum to showcase its finest to both local and international audiences. “Fashion Pakistan has been a fantastic platform, not just for me but for every one who has been part of the process and its evolution”, says FPW’s creative director, Deepak Perwani. “Over the years, FPW has showcased the finest of Pakistani fashion; haute couture, prêt a porter, even accessories. This season onwards, FPW brings to the ramp, the best of Pakistan’s Lawn industry. That, for me, defines endless new possibilities — after all, isn’t lawn really the new prêt. Six years, and countless love-hate relationships later, it’s been a fabulous ride to see fashion grow and designers become serious entrepreneurs” he adds.
Now into its fifth season, FPW has not only served to lead the way for a number of fashion weeks across the country but has also come to be the debut platform for a number of new designers. The likes of Feeha Jamshed, Wardah Saleem and Sanam Chaudhri among a host of others, first showcased their collections on the FPW ramp. The latter has recently branched into retail with an exclusive line for Bonanza.
Like its four previous outings, this season, too, Fashion Pakistan Week, introduced some promising new talent. Showing along the likes of Maheen Khan, Shamaeel Ansari, and Sana-Safinaz, were a host of young upcoming designers like Sania Maskatiya as well as a number of debutants among whom Zarlasht Faisal and Aamna Aqeel showed potential.
“Fashion has come a long way in Pakistan”, says Sania Maskatiya, an FPW first timer herself not so long ago, who now not only retails across the country but is also soon due to open her second stand-alone store in Pakistan.
“An avenue like FPW gives your brand credibility, in the sense that people start taking you more seriously as a designer”, believes Zarlasht. “Overwhelmed” with the “interest” shown in her collection by both local and international buyers, Aamna, too, agrees. “FPW gave my label an audience and the audience gave me the confidence to do even better”, she adds.
FPW’s Spring/Summer 2013 showcase opened with the strong aesthetic and the elegant silhouettes of the ‘House of Maheen’ and closed with Deepak Perwani’s fantastic, kitsch Freida goes to Kharadar as its fabulous finale. As an exclusive pre-cursor to their flagship retail store that is due to open its doors in Karachi this April, designer duo, Sana-Safinaz presented a range of ready-to-wear casuals and formals, silks and cottons with hand-crafted accessories to match. And in an FPW first, taking the high street to the high-end, lawn brands such as Orient Textiles, Kayseria and Gul Ahmed as well accessories designer Jafferjees, also showcased collections.
In vogue this season, prints and stripes, coupled with solids, textured fabrics and embellishment. The choice to wear as complete ensembles or separates, is yours. And right off the catwalk, Spring/Summer 2013’ style alert: accessorize coupled with this season’s design mantra, wearable practical fashion. All in all, some hits, some misses but the bottom line is, all is not fair in the name of fashion.
And as FPW completed yet another successful showing, Maheen Khan tweeted: “Come September, it’s Fashion Pakistan Week 6! Fashion never sleeps.”
Till then stay stylish.
The writer is NDTV’s Pakistan correspondent based in Karachi.
