Years ago the PFDC Sunsilk fashion week set out to become a compelling terminus for the fashion conscious and in its unrelenting pursuit of being regarded as the most credible fashion event of the year, PSFW achieved just that this year.
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Some of fashion’s biggest powerhouses take Pakistan’s rich ethnic culture and make history on the catwalk.
Lahore: Years ago the PFDC Sunsilk fashion week set out to become a compelling terminus for the fashion conscious and in its unrelenting pursuit of being regarded as the most credible fashion event of the year, PSFW achieved just that this year. The third and last day of fashion week concluded on a high note and it had the elements in full glory, from careful construction to intricate embroideries; it would not be an overstatement to say that the glass was more than just half full. A new radical regime did the impossible here; the theatrics were stripped away, making it impossible for designers to hide behind a pompous show while serving ordinary and mediocre content. This year PSFW was purely about fashion. In no way will we debate whether the PFDC Sunsilk Fashion week 2017 was the council’s magnum opus or not but what it did achieve was progression and for that we will remain cautiously optimistic.
The third day of the PFDC Sunsilk fashion week saw the runway light up as two major fashion powerhouses challenged each other for the spot of number one. Although we would applaud Sana Safinaz for bringing their brand of unadulterated luxury to the catwalk, Khaadi Khaas surpassed even beyond our expectations with a collection that can only be termed as historic. The Sunsilk PFDC Fashion Week has now concluded with an echoing mantra of maturity and evolution and on that note we’ll bring the attention to the collections we think are worthwhile to discuss.
Sunsilk Hair Show by Nabila
Hair and beauty are integral elements of style, which is why hair and beauty constitute as much a part of any fashion week as the apparel. And this was Nabila at her very best; it reminded us of the hair show she presented at the very first PFDC L’Oreal Bridal Week years ago. There was intellect in styling and perfection in execution, so much so that the wardrobe (styled in house by Nabila) was actually stronger than many collections shown at fashion week. The hero, however, was the hair and we saw it in full glory whether it was braided, curled, glossed down or pastel and puffed up.
Sana Safinaz
Sana Safinaz showcased its Chateau Marmont collection, which drew its inspiration from the charm of old Hollywood and featured intricately crafted floral motifs, embellished embroidery and dramatic appliqué. The powerhouse played around with silhouettes that can only be done to perfection by the geniuses. They stuck to their ethos of high end luxury making this one of our favorite collections, even if there was some repetition of styles.
Khaadi Khaas
A good collection does not need theatrics and rarely do we come across a collection where all we can do is appreciate and acknowledge the carefully designed looks of each and every model that walks on the runway. Khaadi Khaas showcased the Nomad collection, which had influences of Central Asian rural crafts to modern and experimental aesthetics. There was not a jaw that didn’t drop as Khaadi Khaas delivered what we were promised. A collection that was true and befitting a brand of their caliber. Even the accessories were stunning. We do however want to see if the retail versions will hold the same applause from us as their show pieces did.
Adnan Pardesy
Adnan Pardesy showcased Quixotic, a collection that drew its inspiration from sheer simplicity. Adnan Pardesy has always demanded our respect for his craft and techniques however this year we were hoping to see more innovation, upon his return to PSFW, which was missing. The palette consisted of hues of pastels that seemed a bit outdated and boring. Adnan Pardesy’s fabric texturing and weaving were the real winners here and we just wish he had just given us a bit more especially on a day as strong as this.
Republic by Omar Farooq
Omer Farooq showcased Paradox, a collection inspired by modern Japanese culture. Republic has become pioneers in the menswear department and being the only solo menswear show of the day, hopes were high. What has always impressed us about Republic is the attention to detail that is absent in even most womenswear designers today. The collection was definitely on the stronger end of the daily spectrum because of its brilliance and innovation.
Ali Xeeshan
Ali Xeeshan put up a great show, with excellent music and strong visual statements but did it work when you took the theatrics, pomp and ceremony away? It did. The collection carried his unmistakable signature and there was a variation that left us hungry for more. Xeeshan did wander into wedding wear territory one time too many but the entire look and feel made up for that luxury. This was most definitely the perfect finale to a great day.
– Photography by Faisal Farooqui and his team at Dragonfly
