The Pakistan Fashion Design Council (PFDC) held its ninth annual PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week (PSFW) from March 10 to 13, 2016 in Lahore’s Expo Center.
This year, PSFW welcomed two new sponsors: Destinations, Pakistan’s premier travel and lifestyle magazine, and Huawei, the Chinese technology giant that is venturing into taking active roles in varying industries. Both companies are working with the PFDC to support the fashion community in Pakistan. As a nonprofit organization, the PFDC declares its mission to “work for the development and growth of the fashion industry.” Such a mission requires the Council to institute socially conscious practices, to oversee trade and commerce, as well as ensure that Pakistani soft aesthetics and styles are promoted throughout the industry.
Such style can be understood by exploring the trends from this past season. A range of
light colors, lace, 1970s flares, and menswear-inspired pieces were defining characteristics throughout the runway.
The 2016 designer lineup included: Sana Safinaz, Maria B, Muse by Faryal Aftab, Feeha Jamshed, Sublime By Sara Shahid, Nomi Ansari, Sana Maskatiya, Mahgul, Nickie Nina, Karma Pink, Ali Xeeshan, Khaadi Khaas, The House of Kamiar Rokni, Zonia Anwaar, Saira Shakira, Zara Shahjahan, HSY, Deepak Perwani, Al-Karam, Khas, Warda Prints, Ittehad Textile Mills, Harmony by Hang Ten, Sobia Nazar, Umar Iftikhar, Shirin Hassan, and Gul Ahmed.
Hassan Sheheryar Yasin, HSY, is among the producers of PSFW and a designer who showed his collection during the week. This year, his collection with Kashf Foundation stirred societal engagement and cultural awareness. The Kashf Foundation is a 20-year-old company that strives to alleviate poverty and to support the economic growth of low-income households. The foundation also focuses on supporting women, who are the inspiration for HSY’s collections. Subtle browns and hazy grays — earth-tone hues characterized a collection of trousers, flared pants, and embroidered tops. Overall, the collection offered a variety of uniform pieces and separates to create a wardrobe for the strong woman.
Additionally, HSY released a short film for the finale of PSFW 2016. Titled, “Be Yourself,” the film stars Mehreen Syed and Billal Ashraf, two well-respected artists who initiated the trend of fashion films in Pakistan. The film, produced by HSY Productions, is a comedy that encourages individuality and inspires confidence in oneself. This, too, was a strong theme of HSY’s ready-to-wear collection.
Deepak Perwani was another designer inspired by Pakistani women. In his most recent collection titled, “ The Return of the DPhilosophy,” colors stayed light and looks were effortless, a complement to the chiffons and silks utilized. The designer presented a color palate of calm, pale colors on variety of trousers and tunics. These were the staples of his collection — all designed with cuts for the fashionably modern Pakistani woman. His collection also showcased five menswear pieces. Pakistani television and film personality Wiqar Ali Khan walked the ramp as the celebrity showstopper.
Among the traditional styles and orthodox looks that defined collections throughout PSFW 2016 we find Ali Xeeshan Theater Studio, a brand that offered a trendy collection this season. His collection, referred to as “Voodoo,” brought volume to the runway. A gray color scheme was an essential theme among the silver embellishments, wide-leg trousers, and billowy full-length evening gowns. This fashion-forward collection offers strength and power to a new season of Pakistani fashion.
As another successful PSFW concluded, we see the strong influence fashion holds on culture. Feminine characteristics—lace , embroidery, and flare—clashed with heavy menswear staples, such as trousers. All styles serve to encourage self-expression and breath confidence within the contemporary, globally-minded South Asian women.
By: Valerie McPhail
Instagram & Twitter: @valerieamcphail
Valerie is a recent New York City gal. She moved to the city after graduating college at Mount St. Mary’s University, where she found her passion for fashion. Since then, Valerie has been published online, in newspaper print, and you can read her work in our 2016 Bibi Bridal Annual. She loves writing about all things fashion related — covering news and the latest trends.
