You can’t say that fashion is dead in Pakistan. Designers may have become too commerce-oriented and the number of fashion shows taking place every year may have dwindled abysmally but you can’t denounce fashion altogether. Not when every now and again, there are collections that entrance and excite. The second and final day of the TEXPO 2023 fashion show organised by the Trade Development Authority Pakistan (TDAP) featured a few such collections.
There were seasoned veterans making a comeback to the spotlight, young designers making interesting statements and even a show, curated by students, which stood out. On the other hand, there were other collections that very evidently lacked basic design know-how, with generic, badly-fitted clothing scattered out on the runway. There were some fantastic designers and some abysmal ones.
So, there were highs and lows. There have always been highs and lows. Fifteen odd years ago, when I was reviewing fashion weeks, back when they were still in their fledgling years, I would write about highs and lows. The reviews continue to be the same. Fashion may not be dead, but the industry, overall, hasn’t really progressed in terms of design — although it has mushroomed into a giant, retail-wise.
Here’s a look at the designs showcased on the second day of TEXPO 2023, the good ones and the bad ones.
Shamaeel Ansari
Shamaeel Ansari has always marched to the beat of her own drum. It’s what one has always appreciated about her designs and what draws clients to her atelier. The fashion industry at large may bandwagon onto whatever is trending at the time but Shamaeel will always create what is true to her aesthetic.
Shamaeel’s show, the first in a long designer lineup, was a testament to the elements that define her work — bold floral prints, unique embroidery patterns and a mixing and merging of rich hues. There were dresses, edgy coords, elaborately collared shirts, jackets and frequent references to the…
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