"I’ve really enjoyed showcasing my designs at Pakistan Fashion Week."
The best of contemporary Pakistani fashion was on show in London at Pakistan Fashion Week 7 (PFW 7), which took place on the weekend of 10-11 January 2015.
The event at the Russell Hotel featured both established and new designers, as well as those from Pakistan and the UK.
PFW 7 was presented by Riwayat, a company dedicated to promoting Pakistani art and culture. Since its inception in September 2011, Pakistan Fashion Week continues to grow as a successful event.
Pakistani fashion itself has truly gone global, building on its demand, over the last few years with Pakistani designers being featured in fashion shows all over the world, from Dubai to Milan.
Watch our exclusive highlights of Pakistan Fashion Week 7 here:
In the Boutique Exhibition, shoppers and retailers at PFW 7 were able to get a closer look and buy the catwalk collections of the distinguished designers.
But the highlights of Pakistan Fashion Week 7 were always going to be the Three Grand Catwalk Shows. Official online media partners, DESIblitz were there to capture all.
Show 1 ~ Saturday 10th January 2015, 6pm
Farika Karim’s use of blood red velvet lehengas oozed eastern luxury in a uniquely original way.
Her latest collection labelled ‘LAHORE’, brought a visual feast with traditional cuts, carefully sought fabrics with rich elements such as velvet, rich brocades and details.
Ambreen Kausar of Farika Karim said: “We had got a lot of positive feedback from Pakistan Fashion Week. Things like velvet had to be done the right way.”
Rabia Zahur’s collection was notable for the fine detail that she put into each of her garments and the unique contribution of indigenous methods.
These included bandhani, gota work, block printing, hand dyeing different techniques of hand embroidery and machine embroidery.
Rabia said: “My collection is inspired by Islamic motifs which I have incorporated in my garments.
“I have also been inspired by older designers and I’ve really enjoyed the experience of showcasing my designs at Pakistan Fashion Week. This is my first fashion week ever and I hope that there will be many more to come!”
The designers that also featured in this show included Sonya Battla, Moazzam Abbasi, Hamna Amir, Aijazz Aslam, Naurang, Kamdani, and Goal by Fozia Hammad.
Show 2 ~ Sunday 11th January 2015, 3pm
Bombay Stores closed the second show with their theme of geo desert flora, which was inspired by the desert and sun. They used pseudo-metallic hues to embrace this theme. One particular blouse had a sun cut out at the back, taking inspiration of natural elements and design.
Bombay Stores is the UK’s largest Asian department store, housing premium couture and ethnic pret collections by the most sought after designers across Asia.
2015 will also see the launch of a number of additional Bombay Stores luxury outlets, such as in Manchester, Birmingham, London, Paris and Madrid.
Alizay Khan’s fun and funky collection featured metallic work and pop art. A particularly eye-catching piece was a kurta with pop art designs of Imran Khan, former Pakistani cricketer turned politician. Imran recently married Reham Khan, who once hosted Pakistan Fashion Week.
This show also featured the works of Shakir Designer, Shabbir Textiles, Fatima and Sam Dada, Brocades by Maria Raja, Momins, Shariq Textiles, and Cocktail.
Show 3 ~ Sunday 11th January 2015, 6pm
The third show provided a spectacular finish to Pakistan Fashion Week. Every designer kept the audience captivated throughout with their unique designs and the creative choice of music to accompany the walks.
In what was undoubtedly the best show of the weekend, there were three designers who were especially impressive.
Rang Ja kicked off the show to the soundtrack of Elvis Presley’s ‘Jailhouse Rock’, to which their models bopped to on the ramp.
Rang Ja’s collection was bold, contemporary, and colourful. The combination of traditional designs on western cuts and silhouettes, celebrate the rich Pakistani heritage.
Their designs embody style, elegance and individuality, which is also apparent in their range of funky bags.
Sahar Atif’s collection, entitled ‘The Sultanate’, preserves Islamic art, architecture and crafts. Velvet was used as the base fabric and there was a playful layering of organza, adding to the grandeur of the collection.
PFW was closed by Honey Waqar, the ‘Couture Queen of Pakistan’. One of Pakistan’s most celebrated designers, she is the brand ambassador of the Pakistan fashion industry in UAE, India, Italy, Amsterdam and America.
Her collection was inspired by the Queen of England. Honey said:
“It’s always amazing to consistently close Pakistan Fashion Week. This is the first one that I’m here in London myself.”
Designers that featured in this show included Rang Ja, Rana Noman, Lajwanti, Pink Chiffon, Shazia Kiani, Sonali’s Creations, and Ahsan.
PFW has seen Pakistani fashion growing internationally and becoming more and more recognised on a global platform.
In addition, there is a cross-cultural relationship developing, between the globalised spread of Pakistani couture, and the western influences in Pakistani fashion.
Designer Moazzam Abbasi added: “I see Pakistani fashion becoming more fusion. We are using western cuts, but also western designers are using Pakistani designs, so the fashion industry is definitely becoming more universal.”
With several fusion lines being showcased at PFW 7, we will continue to see Pakistani fashion continue to diversify and flourish on an international scale.
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