My Journey to Pakistan: Fashion Pakistan Week 3 - Day 3

In the busy city of Karachi people hurried up to reach the third day of the Fashion Week on time. Traffic was a nightmare and once we reached Pearl Continental (the hotel where the show is) we saw a huge line of cars waiting to go in. Parking was "at owner's risk" and we lost some time going up and down the stairs from the parking lot without being able to find the exit. The out of order elevator did not help either. Anyway, we finally found our way out and reached the place where glamour was at its best.

Shamaeel was the first one to take the ramp and the day could not have started any better. The designer brought a fresh collection for the modern goddess with beautiful prints, ingenious layers and dynamic colors. Accessories, hair and makeup complemented the looks and showed that a finished look can make the difference. No detail was left out of sight and the romantic, bohemian yet modern collection was a treat for the eye.

It must be hard to come on the ramp after Shamaeel, especially as a newcomer, but the two sisters behind Baani D did a great job. The collection was energetic and had something for everyone, from young and daring downtown girls to more conformist ladies. Lot of white, greens,  browns, mixed prints in this ready to wear collection.

Ahmed Bham brought some fun to the ramp and showed that men can also walk on sunshine. Lots of floral prints, pastels, stripes, beads, necklaces for the modern man who is full of fun, life and very secure on his masculinity. Impeccable cuts for Bham's "it's good to be me" collection.

Monsoon / Accessorize had a youthful and colorful ready to wear lineup. Jumpsuits, maxi dresses  trench coat dresses came in ethnic & animal prints, tribal motives, exotic tones and block colors. 

Gulabo came with a blast: to die for high-end street wear inspired by trunk art and the streets of Pakistan. Trendy jumpsuits, floral and painted shalwars, vaporous shirts, newspaper print t-shirts they all brought fresh air and energy in a frenzy of colors.

Wardha Saleem made a big entrance for the show and went beyond the expectations. The colors were electrifying in her Indus Valley collection and she proved that truck art is very much alive and kicking. Daring cuts, inspiring layering, flawless finishing, colorful textile shoes with jingles all in one collection that proved that Wardha Saleem is a complex artist. From music, to makeup, hairstyle, accessories, and choreography everything was perfectly in sync and carefully chosen to enhance the beauty of the collection.

Rizwanullah - who was supposed to present in day 2, but postponed for day 3 - followed with a collection which showed that fashion is fun by throwing in some casual dresses with a touch of fantasy, clown trousers, asymmetrical cuts, mixed prints and checkered shirts. 

The night ended in cheers and applauses for Nomi Ansari whose collection was inspired by and specially made for some of the most beloved Pakistani celebrities who actually joined the designer on the ramp and modeled for him. Nomi payed his tribute to the stars and showed that he is able to take one step forward and go from catwalk fashion to pure entertainment. The collection was pure fun and enjoyment.

In conclusion day 3 was the best I've seen so far and, unlike in the previous day, I did not want the evening to end. Now the bar is set very high for the final day of the Fashion Pakistan Week and I am so curious to see what the organizers and the designers have in store for tonight.

Photo credits: 18% Grey and Etihad (via http://pakteahouse.net)