7 Outfits from the QMobile Hum Showcase that have us Drooling

Karachi recently witnessed a stellar line-up of designers grace the runway at the QMobile Hum Showcase.

At the expense of committing fashion blasphemy, we’d say that the Hum Showcase trumped all the country’s major fashion weeks for it had legendary designers like Bunto Kazmi and Faiza Samee sharing the space with the young and happening of the industry.

Hum Network has often been criticised for choosing commercial viability over quality fashion in its Bridal Couture Week that takes place twice every year.

Critics have been unforgiving labelling the network’s bridal showcase as an entertainment platform to show on TV later than one that presents the best in Pakistani fashion.

But all that was put to rest with the recent QMobile Hum Showcase that featured the likes of Bunto Kazmi, Umar Sayeed and Shamaeel Ansari and had iconic Rizwan Beyg taking up the directing duties.

DESIblitz rounds up seven outfits from the 3-day showcase that had us unabashedly drooling for more:

Bunto Kazmi

Bunto Kazmi or Bunto Bi, as many of her brides refer to as, is an institution in herself.

For decades, the designer has been making exquisite bridals that Pakistani women plan their weddings around. Her craft transcends fashion trends and each of her creations serves as a testament to the timelessness of age-old threadwork.

For the QMobile Hum Showcase, however, Mrs Kazmi chose to tap into luxury pret and showed how indigenous fabrics and craft can be used in a no-fuss way for a statement formal look.

A particular standout was this deep turquoise silk lehenga with an embellished black choli and an exquisite, intricately embroidered lemon yellow shawl (right).

The colours just blend in so well and each of these pieces can be worn fashionably as separates as well. But that shawl is what you want to pass on as an heirloom for future generations.

Faiza Samee

The designer is known for her colourful classics. Faiza Samee’s creations have always had a certain joie de vivre.

She has an innate ability to fuse print with print and pastels with brights without making an outfit look too carnivalesque.

The designer also belongs to the revivalist clan and always relies on the use of luxurious, traditional fabrics to create outfits that scream boho chic or make one the centre of attention at any wedding event.

This opulent gold and plum gharara, paired with an atlas, aqua kameez and a gold dupatta, can be worn is the perfect, on-trend wedding outfit we need this season to make a fashion statement.

Faraz Manan

Faraz Manan is well on his journey to become a global businessman from being a Pakistani couturier.

He has Kareena Kapoor sitting in the front rows of his fashion shows and even walking down on the runway as his showstopper, has a flagship store in the UAE and is showing collections across regions with the Beirut Fashion Week being his most recent outing.

While Faraz’s entire Mirage collection was a lesson in fine, haute couture, this three-toned outfit caught our attention.

The column dress in shades of gold, silver and grey is just so figure-flattering. Despite being heavily embellished, the outfit is so subtle and sophisticated to the eye.

We won’t be surprised if it makes to the coveted Hollywood red carpets. In fact, it was recently worn by Miss Universe Lebanon Cynthia Samuel at the CAEL Festival Gala dinner in Beirut.

Sania Maskatiya

Known more for minimalistic, structured designs, designer Sania Maskatiya has definitely breathed new life into her label with her recent fashion outings.

Her debut Cruise collection at the PSFW 2017 marked the beginning of Sania Studio – a dedicated line by the brand for western wear – with utmost finesse and panache. Fluid silhouettes, breezy fabrics and calming floral prints exuded a cool, spring vibe for fashion lovers.

Her collection at the QMobile Hum Showcase was meant more for starry evenings that demand a luxurious outfit.

This nude cape dress meets all such demands and more. The embellished stripes and flowing cut work well to enhance the figure while the subtle colour adds a touch of elegance.

Inaaya by Naushaba Brohi

Fresh burst of colours and trendy styling, we are glad that the label finally broke away from the black and white monotony it often relied on to display its love for the Sindhi art of rilli.

Designer Naushaba Brohi returned to the runway in February with a capsule collection at the Fashion Pakistan Week and while the collection showed promise, the label in itself lacks consistency.

It seems the designer is out to fix that for her QMobile Hum Showcase collection – titled Tabeer – was quite the interesting ride.

We love this outfit just for the sheer juxtaposition of colours. The olive green with cobalt blue and hints of white are simple calming to the eyes and the outfit itself is the reason why summer needs to hit us sooner.

Wardha Saleem

Vibrant colours, out-of-the-box prints and gorgeous hand-painted – all this is Wardha Saleem’s fashion playground.

The designer is consistently raising the bar and incorporating more finesse to her Western creations that are clearly evident in her bridals.

With this collection – Mon Amour – Wardha takes us on a journey to provincial Russia and gives a unique, fashionable twist to the iconic Babushka Dolls. We are simply in love with these figurine-printed electric blue culottes paired with a sheer white crop top.

It’s evident that Wardha has been keeping an eye on international fashion trends for ruffle sleeves are totally in. About that bag, it’s the swag you want to put on when hitting the streets of fashionable London.

Adnan Pardesy

Who doesn’t love black? And who doesn’t love gold on black? In the midst of collections that boast of traditional craft and old world charm, Adnan Pardesy nailed it with his contemporary touch.

This gilded gold and black halter choli has such an eclectic, badass vibe. But it’s the origami-inspired pattern in gold gota work on the lehenga that has us feeling deprived of a classic outfit in our wardrobe.

One can always rely on Pardesy to blend contemporary art and traditional fashion in the most cohesive way possible.

The best news is that the QMobile Hum Showcase is planned to be an annual event.

Given the standards it has set for itself and others with its first outing, we are all up for sinking in our teeth in this exciting fashion feast, year after year.