Élan at the PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week. Arif Ali—AFP
Fashion trends for Spring/Summer 2014.
The Pakistan Fashion Design Council’s latest four-day event, the seventh PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week, concluded in Lahore on April 13 with four textile houses, 10 high-street brands, and 22 luxury prêt designers from Lahore and Karachi showcasing their collections.
The high-wattage extravaganza at the Lahore International Expo Center consciously set the direction for Spring/Summer 2014 collections.
“We defined and presented the trends for 2014, with particular focus on the region’s long hot summer months,” Sehyr Saigol, PFDC Chairperson, tells Newsweek. “We did not accept any applications even from established brands to participate unless they demonstrated a visible commitment to retail presence and accessibility.”
Thanks to Fashion Week, here’s what you can expect in retail stores:
Textural Experiments
Muse, the brand that has taught us to love flowing silks all over again, showed bolder fabric choices in its latest collection. Chief designer Faryal Aftab and business partner Moeed Yousaf sourced the finest fabrics from European suppliers that cater to brands like Dior, YSL, and Lanvin for their 19-piece Foil Wrapped Candy collection. “By mixing metallic lace, glittering tulle, Lurex-infused silk and textured silk organza,” says Aftab, “we wanted to show there is more to glamorous eveningwear than embellishment.” The result was luminous: the melding of textures created a rich but light look that brought a new energy to Muse’s signature cuts.
Fun-ctional Fashion
Khadijah Shah’s Élan drew on vintage art and fashion illustrations, including the work of René Gruau, for inspiration for its quirky and fun collection. Shah, who has already cornered the designer-lawn market and made herself a mainstay in bridal couture, presented her prêt line with its whimsical prints and embellishments. The collection also featured funky original clutches and costume jewelry, bringing home something that is often overlooked in the Pakistani fashion world: great designs can be great fun.
Glam Statements
Shehla Chatoor’s Samsara—a commentary on the circle of fashion trends—was gold and glamorous. Her statement jackets, now ubiquitous among fashionistas, were lent an extra oomph by their fine threadwork and metal spikes and studs.
Femininity Forever
From the first piece to the last, Khaadi Khaas’s collection was effortlessly beautiful and very feminine. It experimented with Eastern and Western silhouettes, bringing them together seamlessly through floral prints on a cream palette. Khaadi Khaas also introduced two statement accessories, including its floral box bag. Khaadi Khaas touched up old-school femininity and made it particularly relevant for the upcoming season.
The Exquisite Unexpected
Zara Shahjahan’s 20-piece Love Bug collection, which she began work on in January, featured three “bug” prints conceived and developed by her. She had wanted to avoid floral motifs, she says, “but, eventually, I gave in to my love for flowers.” During her research of jungle floral motifs for Love Bug, she came across bugs and beetles that made “everything fall into place.” Shahjahan’s designs are both unique and summer-perfect.
These five collections represented Pakistan’s finest fashion sensibilities. Be sure to check them out at a store near you.
Zarrar blogs about style at siddysays.com