Day 1 of Pakistan Fashion Week 7
If you wanted the latest South Asian fashion trends but not just bridal but Pret, casual and party wear Pakistan Fashion Week was the place to be last week.
Hotel Russell in Central London was heaving with fashionistas, VIPs and media from all over South Asia and Europe. You only had to look at the models and versatile collections on the runway and exhibition to see all cultures were welcome to celebrate Asian fashion in the UK. If l still haven't persuaded you of the scale of the event, even the BBC and ARY joined us to celebrate Pakistan Fashion Week in London.
If you missed out, not to worry as a Partner of Pakistan Fashion Week UK, l made it my duty to to designers and wanted to know their predications for next seasons fashion trends. And bring you all the exclusive backstage hair & beauty/make-up trends.
I was more excited than a fat kid in a candy store, well can you blam me it’s not everyday you get to see some of the best of Pakistani fashion in the UK all thanks to Riwayat.
I'm a big fan of PFW fashion week, l attended PFW6 last year and expected it to be like most fashion shows in the UK that focus on bridal as 'that's where the money is.' I was pleasantly supraised although designers do showcase their best collections and on some occasions their main pieces are bridal. On the other hand, the collections have a wide range of fashion to party, casual and Pret. Even fashion you could wear if you were attending a special event not as a bride. I partially love PFW's exhibition with feature best garments from their party and casual range.
Now let's get to business - I took front row seats to give you what you have been waiting for. Camera at the ready in one hand and my mobile with Instagram/Twitter in the other. Without further ado, let's take a look at what day one at PFW7 had to offer us.
Sonya Battla
The headlining designer, Sonya Battla opened the show with her free flowing draping fabrics - Pret you could wear casually. The grey and peach colour combinations were unique and prints were innovative to Pakistani fashion scene.
One of my favourite looks has to be Sonya Battla’s long velvet dress with a silk scarf wrap - very sleek yet practical. The eastern fashion trends combined with western styles verge on east vs west everyday masterpieces. Now this is what we have been waiting for in the UK - fusion fashion. We should wear this look everyday, comfy and just swap scarves or add jewellery if we got bored.
This is one of the reasons you have to love PFW as Adnan Ansari and his team bring designers collections the British Asian fashion scene are screaming out for.
Moazzam Abbasi
It was net, crochet and lace glore with Moazzam Abbasi’s superb Pret collection. The colours where on trend as seen in Pakistan Fashion Week in Karachi - creams, whites and beiges through out the collection.
There was a mix of Asian designs with modern cuts that would fit in perfectly with the British Asian fashion scene.
My favourite had to be the long crochet bordered long kameez and lace boardered skirt. You could easily were separately for a casual look or pair both garments as seen on the runway for a very chic evening style.
Hamna Amir (Jewellery)
Hamna Amir's jewellery collection was unique to many others l had seen before which are usually heavy and you can’t normally wear with your western clothes.
The designers fashion pieces combined diamantes and pearls with an Egyptian Asian feel and would look perfect on most outfits. It was a cross between eastern and western fashion – a practical type of Asian costume jewellery.
Hamna Amir’s jewellery collection is perfect for people who are looking for South Asian accessories you can just add to your suits to jazz them up.
Aijazz Aslam
Most people may know this next designer as a model, presenter or actor but at PFW7 Aijazz Aslam came as a fashion designer. He was at PFW7 showcasing his very vibrant Pakistani collection – pinks, reds and green were the main colours used.
Aijazz Aslam also used traditional colours, cuts, fabrics and really did bring a bit of Pakistan to London. I won't lie l didn't know what to think at first, it was all too much for my eyes however, later l realised we still need traditional Pakistani fashion with modern cuts. We need to cater for all markets!
The collection is perfect for ladies who want classical Pakistani fashion and do not want to compromise on the latest bridal cuts and clashing of colours as Aijazz Aslam did so best.
Naurang
Naurang brought their South Asian velvet trend with them to London and it was memorising to see jacket suits, dupattas with embroidered detailing and dazzling lenghas.
Not British Asian high street could substitute for the sheer beautiful longline velvet jackets and colour contrasted lenghas and patterns which worked marvellously throughout the show.
The fabrics used were glorious, Naurang selected suit jackets, glitzy dresses. Even then men looked great in complimentary velvet blazers.
I'm used to seeing men's velvet jackets on the high street but they always seem to be party jackets however, Naurang show the west how men can rock the winter trend not just on special occasions but casually.
Kaamdaani
Kaamdaani showcased more bridal wear and we saw a wide range of coloured suits from orange to green and styles – short to long. The designer emphasis’ we can rock whatever colour and style we want to weddings but just bear in mind Kaamdaani's trends, which were long long suits and beaded embroidery.
Faika Karim
It was inspiring to hear British Asian designer, Faika Karim discussing her inspiration for her PFW7 collection. Faika Karim told me she went all the way to Lahore and cities in Pakistan to build her fashion knowledge and create garments British Asian's would be proud of.
The collection consisted of on trend bridal colours l saw at Telenor Bridal Week in Lahore such as, golds, blacks and reds. Although her collection was sensational as it was suited to the British brides! If you want British trends us UK Asian's love e.g. crochet and colour colour palettes that just go, Faika Karim is the collection for you.
It's perfect for brides who aren't wanting the big, lavish and crazy bridal dresses but having a more personal wedding and want to be able to move around on the day but still look like a goddess.
This is what couture is all about, inspiration and creating collections from scratch. She made all the British Asian fashion designers proud!
Rabia Zahur
Rabia Zahur put her best foot forward with her runway collection, the garments included on trend Pakistani styles such as, lenghas and frilled trouser suits.
At the exhibition Rabia Zahur was selling gorgeous casual kameez's and 3 piece suits. She was dressed very sophisticated with a creamy lime and complimentary green jumpsuit - she dressed wonderfully with eastern detailing on her jacket and western cuts. You could tell you really knew how to dress, as a result l wanted to know how she would advise we rock her favourite casual piece?
She picked two long linen style fabric kameez's with delicate detailing on the front which you could pair with a cropped jacket.
l couldn't help but be dazzled by nude silk number with fine black beaded illustration of what seems to be a tree branch. You could wear it casually with leggings or dress it up with tailored trousers and cropped black blazer opened at the front of course. Nude heels and a simple small nude clutch or handbag. All focus needs to be on the dress bead.
Goal by Fozia Hammad
Fozia Hammad's Goal collection it perfect for brides would want something practical at their wedding. A gown they can move in but still look stunning.
The colours are ideal for fashion lovers without a budget and looking for a garment that doesn't compromise on Pakistani embroidery and diamante fussed garments and exciting designs.
The collection focused on intricate detailing fused with only what l can call mystical Pakistani fashion detailing and fashion techniques only South Asian fashion offers.
The photos honestly don't do Pakistan Fashion Week UK justice, it's not just the runway but exhibition that is a big hit for me.
PFW8 will be back in May and l would definitely suggest popping by just even for a day out and experience the fashion in offer. I hope to see you at PFW8, watch out for tickets and updates on our social media and website.