Excitement filled the air as the clock ticked away and as its hands drew closer to the appointed hour, when the Fashion Odyssey show was slated to begin.

Those who had turned up at the Iqra University Main Campus were there to witness the design talent of the final year students of the Asian Institute of Fashion Design, an august institution that has been serving the cause of fashion for almost a quarter of a century now. With ace fashion couturier Rizwan Beyg as the show director and acclaimed stylist Nabila in charge of the models’ hair and make-up looks, the show promised much. And it most certainly did not disappoint, as nothing less than something truly magical unfolded on the ramp on that night in November.

As the models walked the length of the ramp in one outfit after another, it became clear that the students had benefited immeasurably from Beyg’s guardianship, precision and expertise, letting nothing slip by his immaculate and ever-watchful eye. A nip here and a tuck there had elevated most of the outfits into something that held the promise of something truly extraordinary, given time and patience of course.

The AIFD’s final year students’ show Fashion Odyssey provided a window to the innovative work being crafted in one of the most reputable fashion schools of the country

The design talent shone in terms of the choice of fabric, colours and technique, as well as patterns and silhouettes. The playful nature of some of the outfits was refreshing to watch while a few other fashion students, who took themselves too seriously, needed to loosen up a bit. After all, it was a fun-filled students’ show and not a high fashion catwalk at a fashion week in New York or Paris!

The fun factor was definitely played out well, with lots and lots of experimentation in both menswear and womenswear. One particularly liked the playful use of applique neon pockets, or the loose-hanging fashion-savvy appendages that dangled or trailed behind the models as they sashayed on the ramp.

While the exotic-looking cocktail dresses or voluminous ball gowns were a turn off, one still felt the urge to cheer on for the sake of the sheer effort and ingenuity that went into their construction. The expertly crafted models’ hair & make-up perfectly complemented the diversity in costume designs.

The fun factor was definitely played out well with lots and lots of experimentation in both menswear and women’s wear. One particularly liked the playful use of applique neon pockets, or the loose-hanging fashion-savvy appendages that dangled or trailed behind the models as they sashayed on the ramp.

AIFD has been notable in bringing forth promising young talent and, with the old guard of fashion as part of its vast fashion faculty, it couldn’t be any other way. The institution had been instrumental in the smooth running of the country’s now-defunct council-led fashion weeks, where AIFD students would be delegated responsibilities as front stage ushers and backstage helpers, thereby giving them rare insight and much-needed experience into the workings of an event such as a fashion week.

To sum it up, Fashion Odyssey was a fun show and one that held the promise of prepping a new generation of designers who can carry Pakistan fashion into the future with its head held high. All we need now are more fashion-savvy events and for fashion weeks to be restored, to set the stage and get the ball rolling for these young guns of style.

The writer is a member of staff. He can be contacted at quraishi.faisal@gmail.com

Published in Dawn, ICON, December 1st, 2024