KARACHI: After two days of everything fashion, the third and final day of Fashion Pakistan Week Winter/Festive 2017 concluded in a burst of extravagant bridal couture by Sana Safinaz on Thursday, at the Global Marquees in Karachi. Earlier in the evening, the last six of the 18 designers put forward their most exquisite creations to set the trends and mark the must haves for the Winter/Festive season.

The glamorous evening began with the presence of renowned personalities such as Sarwat Gilani along with her husband, Fahad Mirza, Sharmila Farooqui and her mother, Anisa Farooqui, Adeel Chaudhry, Sana Javed, Sana Bucha, Sonya Hussayn and a few others from the world of Pakistani fashion and entertainment walked down a star-studded red carpet in dazzling dresses and dapper attire. The red carpet was hosted by Anoushey Ashraf, wearing a white lame Sana Safinaz peppered with roses and bows, giving everyone a sneak peak to the collection.

Tena Durrani commenced Day 3 of #FPW17, with a balanced and joyous collection followed by festive wear by Nauman Arfeen, Saira Shakira, Adnan Pardesy and the doyen Maheen Khan. Needless to say, each designer’s vision was complemented by make-up looks that accentuated the individual style ethos with great precision and detail. 

After the collection showcase, designers were found mingling with celebrities and other key media at the The LUX Premiere Lounge was the hub of all social inter mingling and press chatter. Its signature floral setting was extravagant in keeping with the bridal collections and you could barely hear yourself talk above the clamour for photos, selfies and repartee about each collection. Media and designers intermingled over savouries from Necos and desserts from Yum by Amna. The stunning art and décor for the Lux Lounge was done by Anisa and Amina Rasheed Khan of RAKA.

“With a strong designer line-up, artistically choreographed shows, ambient lightning and décor, the star-studded four-day Fashion Pakistan Week 2017, that started off with Shamaeel Ansari’s museum-esque opening, continued with 18 strong collections and came to a rousing end with the Sana Safinaz grand finale and I couldn’t be more proud. We wanted this year’s fashion affair to be grand and I think, it’s safe to say that we’re very pleased with the outcome,” said Feri Rawanian, the CEO of Fashion Pakistan Council.

About the designers and their collections

Tena Durrani – Platinum Series

Platinum Series was a collection inspired by precious metals and gems and the dazzling reflective play of light. It consisted of rose gold, champagne and platinum hues in metallic toned sheer fabrics, heavily embellished with Swarovski crystals and other precious reflective materials, embedded in the finest techniques of thread work giving a dramatic yet refined glow to the entire collection. With works of maroon and gold and other signifying combination of colours, finely embroidered hems of dupatta, gorgeous glimmery and sparkling lehengas with dull golds embellished and kamdani work, all of her ensembles had a complete and comprehensive bridal look leaving out no details. Bursting with glamour and prestige, her collection wowed all.

Nauman Arfeen – Carnation

Glistening like the sun, spirited like the breeze, pastel hues and grandiose handworked, inspired by the blooms of springs and the jewels of nature, Naushemian’s collection ‘Carnation’ was very refreshing and soothing to the eye. Like the pink of a carnation, men in pink looked beta, soft and classy as they wafted down the ramp, holding their magnificent pagris in their hands. The women’s collection was desi style ethereal, with velvet embroidered bell bottoms and fully embellished net coats. In bold short wigs, the girls strutted representing a free and fun look, holding the pink flower in their hands and wearing beige and pink khussas. Colours of rose wine, floral embroidered patterns far apart to keep the look uncluttered and gorgeous saris that tailed the ramp, filled with white flowers in light pink and gold waist coats with tassles floating down were all part of the collection which was stylish, new with a nod towards the desire of a bride to sparkle on her big day.

Saira Shakira – A Monsoon Wedding

Their latest formal/bridal collection, 'A Monsoon Wedding' had a touch of signature designs, beautifully blended with fresh contemporary patterns and silhouettes. The colour pallete used was a mix of pastels with rich jewels and printed florals that gave a fresh, new look. Most of their ensembles had dexterous use of metallic tassels and coloured thread work with intricate mosaic borders. Light pinks and golds with hints of a darker green, velvet necks, floral embroidered dupattas, short frocked kameezes, asymmetrical cuts to bring out the edgy look and tasselled delicate light pink shirts with white pearl work paired with raw silk pajamas that gleamed in the light. The collection then transitioned to dark blue and mint green and the use of contrasting colour was also evident. With one shoulder sleeves, off shoulder tasselled shirts, fitted to the waist loose from top and bottom, these outfits gave a very quirky and unconventional look to the ensembles that brought with it a unique sense of attitude.

Adnan Pardesy – Ravayat

Known for leaving people mesmerised, his collection ‘Ravayat’ inspired by the splendour and opulence of a timeless traditional bride. With classic hand woven embroidered in luxe fabrics, each and every outfit was crafted as a piece of art and echoed of majesty with silver embellishments, best paired with stylish and modern bell bottoms. The collar mint green and silver shirts were webbed from the bottom in finely netted work with exquisite elaborate details and flared chiffon pants. Loose wide palazzos with a mix of pastel and dark colours and other outfits, all unfolded like a story from an ancient era and had a stronger presence than the rest of the collections seen earlier. Statement outfits made models look fierce and dauntless with a tribal feel, a raw look to an almost perfect attire giving an almost dangerous edge to quaintly look.

Maheen Khan – The Lion and the Muse

Her collection ‘The Lion and the Muse’ entailed outfits that were ferocious yet majestic. With suits and long flowy bright red coats covered in sparkling embellishments paired with flowey pants, stylish and modish halter tops, shirts with work of stripes – all of these creations looked super classy and uncluttered, signature Maheen, with cuts that hugged the body and yet flowed from shoulder to toe with effortless ease. Striking, embroidered sleeve cuffs in super light material, not the standard black net covers, drapey sleeves made models look powerful, wild and ruling like the lion. The collection was impeccable in its uniqueness, as matchless and unique menswear coats had embroidery on it and were a mix of eastern and western giving out a very bold feel. The couturier is a master of her craft and her collection was an actual representation of the lion and the muse as the uniqueness was evident and much appreciated by all.

Sana Safinaz – Roses & Rue

The Sana Safinaz, finale collection was an exquisite visual monologue and showcased a revival of floral elements. A tantalizingly delicate yet deliberately powerful collision in a showcase of contemporary bridal couture with a distinctive western aesthetic resulted in a collection that was breathtakingly provocative. The audience walked into a set that gave a nod to the forest, with faux trees and boulders and shrubbery incorporated onto the runway. On it flowed meticulous compositions of varying fabrics in organza, silk, velvet and voile rendezvous in dramatic silhouettes that commanded attention. It harmonized streamlined cuts with flirty peek-a-boo cutout details and décolleté necklines alongside fully flared layered skirts. An array of gorgeous hues, ranging from deep jewel and middle tones to ivory whites and frothy pastels result in an alluring and overtly feminine appeal. Each garment was adorned with intricate work of Swarovski crystals, semi-precious stones and pearl detailing in bold section compositions, three dimensional floral appliqués adored with feathers. Fringes, tassels and elaborated woven detailing added a distinctively lush and whimsical touch. Not just that but they also debuted their capsule menswear collection which was a dedication to the minimalistic and refined. Luxurious fabrics with just the right touch of adornment with lion head buttons, collar pins and elegant pocket squares. A range of sherwanis, waist coats and jackets in sharp innovative cuts had an unapologetically debonair and sophisticated outcome. And that’s not it, each piece had an elevated feel of royalty and grandeur with studded gem and defined cuts. The cocktail crowd, lapped up the body fitted long dresses all delicately embellished, the bustiers and the trousers that were all Oscar-wearable. Dark greens and blacks, the silver work on the long gowns glimmered in the light, screaming luxury and distinctiveness. As the models strode, they looked nothing but lordly straight out of a fairy-tale movie. The collection seemed to be inspired by western bridal outfits with body fitted tops embellished with pearls and loose bottomed skirts Mint greens, light blues and whites created an environment of peace and harmony, the array of outfits presented were soft on the eyes, almost calming the audience and creating an atmosphere of mesmerisation. With over 50 models strutting down the ramp, each wearing a uniquely and elegantly bowed gown, or a well cut sherwani, the fairy-tale collection left the audience stunned and mesmerised and wanting more. The visual extravaganza was the perfect end to a fairy-tale movie, that was Winter/Festive 2017.

As with the first two days of #FPW17, Day 3 was executed smoothly and nothing would have been possible without the help of partners. Catwalk Productions led by the event expert, Frieha Altaf was the official event planner. For the media partner, Fashion Pakistan Council joined ties with ARY Digital Network to get a nation-wide coverage of greater magnitude. With LUX and Beautiful You as sponsors, Sunsilk and Fair & Lovely BB Cream were backstage partners throughout the event. Moreover, Aquafina participated as the red carpet partner, TDAP as the official hospitality partner, The Deli as official food partner, FM89 as the official radio partner and Emirates as the official airline. Credits for pictures used on Fashion Pakistan Week’s official social media and website go to Faisal Farooqui at Dragonfly.

Join in on the social media buzz: #FPW17

For more information about Fashion Pakistan Week visit:

Web: http://www.fashionpakistan.com.pk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FashionPakistan.Org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fashion_pakistan/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FashionPakistan