Pakistan Fashion Week 2013 round-up

[UmarJustice]

A week of firsts and a glimpse of a universal wardrobe emerged from the latest fashion showcase in Lahore.

The Pakistan Fashion Design Council's latest fashion week, in Lahore, registered several 'firsts': the introduction of a New Talent show, for example; a new focus on print, particularly digital; and the addition of 17 leading designers from Karachi to the existing 30-plus largely Lahore-based creators, which gave a much more national flavour to the event.

'Truck Art' - the practice of customising lorries, mopeds and pick-ups with hand-painted flowers and mystical symbols - was a bold theme, particularly in the hands of Karachi's Rizwan Beyg.

Beyg employed local artisans to create brilliantly-coloured and appliquéd boots, bags, trousers and bustiers in one of the best shows of the week. He has now been invited to show in Sao Paolo and Puerto Rico.

READ: Late nights and an eagle at Pakistan Fashion Week

Inspired by Pakistan's national elections on May 11, Lahore's Ali Xeeshan staged a 'fashion rally', with his entire cast dressed in elaborately embroidered and laser-cut, white ensembles, while he took his bow dressed as 'the candidate'.

Designs by Ali Xeeshan on the catwalk at Pakistan Fashion Week

Khaadi Khaas, Wardha Saleem and Faiza Samee all showed dramatic print collections, mixing black and white geometrics, with multi-coloured motifs, while Layla Chatoor based her collection on vintage 1930s prints from the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Designs by HSY on the catwalk at Pakistan Fashion Week

Sana Safinaz and HSY, however, bucked the print trend, Safinaz showing vivid citrus shades with a Latino vibe, and long dinner-gowns with a lot of Angelina Jolie-style leg action; and HSY working in pastels, with full dresses worn over little bloomers tied at the knee. And the Karma Pink collection managed the difficult task of combining The Great Gatsby with elements of Pakistani national dress, the shalwar kameez.

Most interestingly, this fashion week offered a glimpse of a universal wardrobe, with many variations on the tunic-and-trousers, the kaftan, the sarong-style skirt, and the long cloak or coat, all cut to float flatteringly around the body and disguise any figure faults.

Pakistan Fashion Week 2013 round-up - Telegraph