As ramp, lights, and flashing camera bulbs swung into action at Fashion Pakistan Week (FPW), Karachi’s fashion fanatics got to see Spring/Summer 2021 trends, form, function, cut, and color at ‘The Secret Garden’ on the 20th and 21st February 2021.

The garden setting, with mandatory masks, limited seating, and a circular runway, was enthusiastically welcomed by the 14 designers who, despite the recent odds, sent their collections down the ramp. There were many firsts. Alkaram, the giant textile, put on a red carpet that was both bold and beautifully proportioned. A live band by saxophonist Lenny Massey, Selwyn Fernandes, Josh Dias, and Arnold Andrews kept everyone entertained, a compact show area, fresh-faced models, and collections that had been curated and edited ensured that FPW S/S 21 hit all the right notes. This was liberation after a year of fashion isolation.

The Alkaram Studio red carpet also reflected this renewal of energy after a tumultuous year, as fashion came back to the nation with FPW Spring/Summer 2021. An array of celebrities, legends, dignitaries, designers, and the fashion-savvy crowd shone brightly at the red carpet, where some eye-popping looks included one by Sarwat Gilani, who chose to wear a sleek ensemble by Maheen Khan, Fahad Mirza, who went for an eclectic jacket by designer Humayun Alamgir, Anoushey Ashraf who kept it classic with a duo-toned black and white dress, and designer Aamna Aqeel who gave an ode to the velvet dream and in an all-black outfit.

Day 2 on the FPW S/S 2021 ramp began with an exquisitely-crafted collection from Shamsha Hashwani, which was then followed by beguiling showcases from Maheen Khan, Sameer Sain, Zaaviay, Sana Abbas, Gogi by Hassan Riaz, and a befitting elegant finale for Delphi by Nida Tapal. Each collection on the closing night of the fashion event proved to be captivating as the individual design aesthetics of Karachi’s leading couturiers set the tone for what we all will be wearing this year. In a nutshell, what we saw on the runway was the now, the new, and the next of Pakistan’s fashion.

Designers & their collections

Shamsha Hashwani – Surriya

Creating an experience with her strong homage to Subcontinental heritage and timeless craft, Shamsha Hashwani opened the second day at FPW with an opulent festive collection, ‘Surriya.’ Presenting an array of eye-capturing ensembles in a myriad of classic, traditional silhouettes which were juxtaposed with innovative cuts for both women and men, the collection was a nod to the designer’s own very defined and refined aesthetic. This was complemented by the sophisticated color palette of earthy tones, pastel hues and encrusted crystals, set onto luxurious fabrics made just for this collection to be an ode to ornate fashion statements. The talented actor Sanam Jung walked as the showstopper for the designer.

Maheen Khan – Amnesia

Crafted with fabrics procured from the ‘Koya’ collection by Hilal Silk Palace which aims to revive the dying art of hand-woven silk in Pakistan and reintroduce the fabric in the burgeoning fashion industry of the nation, ‘Amnesia,’ a showcase by the doyenne of fashion, Maheen Khan displayed the mighty skillsets of the couturier. Exploring the rich silk fabric in a kaleidoscope of monochromatic colors, the collection put forward a myriad of flowy and sleek silhouettes, where each ensemble experimented with an edgy cut that was signature Maheen. Supermodel Fouzia Aman walked as the showstopper for the designer, where apart from her brilliant ensemble by Maheen Khan, her jewelry was designed by jeweler, Sundus Talpur.

Sameer Sain – Meraki

Crafted with innovative cuts and out-of-the-norm embellishments positioned against a canvas of mesmerizing hues and created with techniques that predate modern history, Sameer Sain’s collection ‘Meraki’ proved to be purely for the contemporary man of today. The collection brought forward a myriad of bespoke cuts that are en-trend in the festive market and exquisitely tailored traditional eastern wear pieces that would make any man feel desirable and fashion-forward. The color palette too reflected this as dazzling menswear pieces in blacks, blues, reds, and whites came out on the circular runway. Male supermodels Shahzad Noor and Hasnain Lehri walked as the opening and closing showstoppers for the designer, respectively.

Zaaviay by Fatima Hassan –  Zehnaseeb

Inspired by a hopeful tale of an eastern bride as she enters into a new chapter of her life, Zaaviay by Fatima Hassan explored a festive trousseau with ‘Zehnaseeb,’ that showcased a myriad of traditional embellishments, classic bridal/festive silhouettes, and a color palette that would appeal to any bride with its deep reds, jewel tones, and traditional hues. The ensembles also showed the unique and intricate craftsmanship the brand has come to be known for as the models sashayed down the runway in a rich collection representing the Pakistani fashion heritage. Model and actor, Yasmeen Hashmi, who just yesterday started her own wedding festivities, walked as the showstopper for the brand.

Sana Abbas – Gulnaz

Proving her meticulous take on style and sophistication in the bridal couture market, Sana Abbas played with festive reds and jewels along with muted pastels hues in a colour palette that truly made ‘Gulnaz’ the perfect showcase for a blushing bride. The collection explored the timeless elegance of traditional silhouettes and proved that intricate craftsmanship and classic embellishments over rich fabrics like silks, satin, sheer net, Maisuri, and brocade still make for an enthralling fashion collection. Model and actor, Kinza Hashmi, walked for the brand as their showstopper.

Gogi by Hassan Riaz – Desert Rosette ‘The Fauna’s Imaginative Orchard’

Inspired by the rose orchards in deserts surrounded by eagles and stallions, ‘Desert Rosette – The Fauna’s Imaginative Orchard’ brought forth a festive couture collection that played with the imaginative fantasy of a desert’s enchanting rosettes orchards, which hold fictional gardens in the desert soil. The collection’s vibrant and energetic colors are enthused from the essence of imaginative orchards blended with sharp silhouettes, futuristic couture, flamboyant looks paired with silks and organza fabrics. Layered with experimental embellishment techniques derived from the crusted roses, seriatim stallions, and winged eagles, personified spirited and empowering souls that veil secret promises. Former supermodel Nadia Hussain sashayed down the ramp as the showstopper.

Delphi by Nida Tapal – Colour Me Delphi

Presenting an amalgamation of perfectly-crafted classic silhouettes that played with color-blending techniques and hand-woven crochet which were juxtaposed with rich fabrics, artisanal iridescent embellishments, and classic fusion silhouettes that transcend geographical boundaries, Delphi by Nida Tapal brought forward an array of innovation with ‘Colour Me Delphi.’ The collection proved her style sensibility and unique approach to fashion. The cuts and silhouettes for the collection remained contemporary and Nida Tapal’s signature color palette of shimmering metallics and pastels served as the perfect end to the two days of fashion at FPW Spring/Summer 2021. Model and actor, Nausheen Shah walked as the showstopper for the brand.

Fashion Pakistan Week S/S 2021 was directed and choreographed by Adnan Ansari and the team at Riwayat. The hair and make-up were by the team at Depilex helmed by Masarrat and Nighat Misbah. All photography by Ahmed at ebuzz.

The Alkaram Studio red carpet also reflected this renewal of energy after a tumultuous year, as fashion came back to the nation with FPW Spring/Summer 2021. An array of celebrities, legends, dignitaries, designers, and the fashion-savvy crowd shone brightly at the red carpet, where some eye-popping looks included one by Sarwat Gilani, who chose to wear a sleek ensemble by Maheen Khan, Fahad Mirza, who went for an eclectic jacket by designer Humayun Alamgir, Anoushey Ashraf who kept it classic with a duo-toned black and white dress, and designer Aamna Aqeel who gave an ode to the velvet dream and in an all-black outfit.

Farhat Kapadia Mehboob

Day 2 on the FPW S/S 2021 ramp began with an exquisitely-crafted collection from Shamsha Hashwani, which was then followed by beguiling showcases from Maheen Khan, Sameer Sain, Zaaviay, Sana Abbas, Gogi by Hassan Riaz, and a befitting elegant finale for Delphi by Nida Tapal. Each collection on the closing night of the fashion event proved to be captivating as the individual design aesthetics of Karachi’s leading couturiers set the tone for what we all will be wearing this year. In a nutshell, what we saw on the runway was the now, the new, and the next of Pakistan’s fashion.

Fareshteh Aslam

Noor e Sehar

Maheen Khan

Sarwat Gilani

Fahad Mirza

Aamna Aqeel

Speaking about the return of fashion to the country and to be back with a bang that FPW Spring/Summer 2021 proved to be, the young CEO of Fashion Pakistan Council, Sarah Anees noted how this serves as a much-needed stimulus after a year that was full of inescapable misery.

“The pandemic has plunged the fashion industry into a labyrinth of challenges. It’s at times like this when one truly realizes the merits and importance of the ‘significant (sometimes taken for granted) things’ that provide a meaningful canvas for expression to boost the spirits, celebrate excellence, and inspire,” Sarah Anees explained. “Therefore, more than ever, we at the Fashion Council have forged ahead with FPW in the hope that it ticks the aforementioned boxes and provides much-needed stimulus – an aesthetic vaccination, as it were – to the industry and its participants.”

Like every FPW edition, this mighty return of fashion to the Karachi ramp would not have been possible without the help of some esteemed partners. Riwayat London led by the ever-energetic Adnan Ansari made the show look as great as the team took on the duties of choreographer, director, and production partner. Alkaram Studio created the perfect space for some buzzworthy photographs being taken as the official Red Carpet sponsor. The special selfie mirror on the edge of the buzzing red carpet allowed everyone a chance to get an immediate printout and walk away with a photo keepsake of the evening. Ensuring seamless broadcasting of the show, media partners ARY Digital kept everyone in the know. The need to have some gleaming shoes for the runway was fulfilled by Nineteen, the official shoe partner. Our Food Guru kept everyone’s hunger satiated as the official food partner, Hilal Silk kept the style quotient high by being the official fabric partner, Insync Advertising shone as a proud patron of the event, and Nawan Healthcare ensured health safety by becoming the official healthcare partner for the event.