Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has been burning the midnight oil to significantly increase the share of Pakistani textiles in the global market.
Although the industry in Pakistan generally operates on a small and medium scale, it’s the prowess of the fashion industry as a whole — thanks to their presence at International Fashion Weeks, including Paris, London and New York, to showcase the quality fashion and apparel the country is capable of — that is contributing significantly to the overall growth.
Fashion weeks are a strenuous business for anyone involved enough to be working full time. As a platform to introduce new designers and showcase the quality textile and apparel, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan collaborated with Fashion Pakistan Karachi to host Made in Pakistan Fashion Week, featuring authentic Pakistani textiles recently.
It was a showcase of many highs and lows. Community lists down the top 7 designer collections that went on the ramp representing the myriad fashion aesthetics.
Deepak Perwani
All that tangerine, red and yellow dominated the runway featuring short kurtis, jackets, maxis and quintessential palazzo pants — a touch too tribal. And since he believes in creating entire looks, Deepak complimented the clothes with his characteristic earrings. Although he made models sport few pieces from his previous collections but that’s the D Philosophy — a feminine exquisitely finished, retail friendly collection.
Hassan Riaz
He was bold and fearless on ramp — way too reckless than he usually is. Spiralled cocoons and slacks for men and knitted woolen dresses, the cutting-edge designs all in a power combination of red and black built way too well to turn the heads. Hassan is very clear about what he’s doing and it’s all about putting yourself out there and the results are always a strange mix.
The Pink Tree Company
Mohsin Sayeed gave a wild touch to the sophisticated Pink Tree Company this time, making it difficult to slot the collection into any one popular style. A dash of the unexpected was added to every conventional style; pleated skirts, mix of prints on the base of very fresh colours — the plum, the tangerine — a revolution of what’s allowed on the street.
Amna Aqeel
Amna defined the Made in Pakistan show, weaving the ethnic traditional embroideries and embellishments with modern cuts featuring vibrant mirror work on blouse, capes and cigarette pants. Her white on white collection woven in white cotton denim was chic with international appeal, an interplay of vivid colour and designs.
Adnan Pardesy
Adnan gave fashion what they have come to love about the designer. His collection featured sexy pieces with funky casuals built in denim and all the hues of black. Tops paired with floral tights and skirts and you’re off for a day or night. This proves that Adnan does clothes for everyone to make a statement everywhere. His draping and silhouettes were a win!
Gulabo
Gulabo presented a predictable line of sumptuous prints that is Maheen’s signature. It was a soldered collection channelling the prints, cuts and styles — an electrifying trailer into the variety that is available at their stores. The jump suits, pants, crop tops and jackets obtruding in the hues of green and red — her colourful set dresses spoke loudly about the ability of Gulabo and Maheen Khan to bring the best at the ramp effortlessly. From models sporting the fierce look to the bursts of flowers and prints, a collection very well defined! Maheen’s a maestro!
Zainab Khalid
This young girl from Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design is going to go places; she showcased a standout collection with interesting structures featuring pants, jackets and overcoats in the hues of white, yellow and blue — full of fun! She won big time with her superb showing at the finale of Made in Pakistan – a day of millennial fashion.
CUTTING A DASH: Models present creations by Pakistani designers on the final day of the Made In Pakistan Fashion Week in Karachi. AFP
