KARACHI: The three-day Fashion Pakistan Week (FPW) Winter/Festive ’18 got under way at the grand marquee of a local hotel on Friday with a line-up of 14 established and emerging designers and design houses spanning over two days, to be followed by veteran designer Deepak Perwani’s ‘Grand Finale’ solo show dubbed Madhaniya — A Journey ’19 on Sunday at a private venue and hosted by FPW Board Member Ronak Lakhani for an exclusive audience including socialites and leading fashion editors and fashionistas through separate invites. Some prominent, regular names seem to be missing from the short run of the FPW this time round.

Day One of FPW featured Tena Durrani, Huma Adnan, Lajwanti, Zainab Chottani, Aamna Aqeel, The Pink Tree Company and HSY.

Tena Durrani’s ‘Rara Avis’ (Rare Bird) was inspired by the rarity factor and interwoven with the confident and daring modern woman, the collection produced full-on bridal bonanza in traditional silhouettes of reds, maroons and oranges with a smattering of deep hues.

Huma Adnan sought to pay tribute to her ancestral roots in India with ‘Tales of Dehradun’ with her first wedding wear collection in which she experimented with fabric, colour and technique. The result was spellbinding in the draping of elegant saris in women’s wear to the animal figurine borders on men’s shawls.

The intricate gota and dori detail further drove home the fact that when it comes to wedding wear the subcontinent’s sartorial sensibilities take front seat, and is second to none. It also included select accessory pieces from The Craft Stories, refugee craft that the designer is working with Unicef to create.

Lajwanti’s ‘Rivaaj’ with its earth tones went a step ahead with her revivalist fashion by reintroducing the paisley motif into mainstream bridals. Cascading saris and farshi lehengas set off by bare midriffs summed up this dazzling trousseau collection. Imran Abbas and Sana Javed walked for the designer.

Zainab Chottani showcased ‘Khwab’, delving into the realm of dreams and fairytale decadence with luxe fabrics and fantasy cuts and Victorian silhouettes. A standout black and silver showstopper number worn by model Mehreen Syed stole the spotlight entirely.

Aamna Aqeel attempted to recreate the style of 18th century British high society and aristocracy with her collection titled ‘Dazzling Dames’ with a limited red and all-out black palette with gold embellishment. Kubra Khan donned the showstopper number in the segment.

The Pink Tree Company paid a fashionable tribute to Indian social activist Sampat Pal, director Nishta Jain and the documentary Gulabi Gang in varying shades of pink. Social activist and classical dance exponent Sheema Kirmani preceded the ramp presentation by reflecting on the power of the colour pink and all its social implications, including resistance movements. The collection remained close to traditional silhouettes and loyal to locally-produced fabrics.

Finally, HSY unveiled his powerful menswear titled ‘Elements’ which celebrated Mother Nature in tones of copper, titanium and mercury. Bilal Ashraf, Junaid Khan and Shehzad Noor made celebrity appearances for HSY.

Day Two will feature Wardha Saleem, Sara Rohale Asghar, Deepak & Fahad, Maheen Karim, Rano’s Heirloom, Shahmeer Ansari and Maheen Khan.

Prior to the ramp show, fashion installations by participating FPW designers titled ‘Brides Through the Looking Glass’ set the precedent for the upcoming wedding expo, The Wedding Atelier, to follow immediately after FPW kicks off.

The hair and make-up of the models is by Nabila’s and NGents with show direction by Nubain Ali.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2018