#pfw7

Lajwanti Bridal Collection at PFW London 2015

Lajwanti at Pakistan Fashion Week London 2015: The glamour and festivities of PFW 2015were on its peak in London. The heat of this sizzling event even made the freezing braze full of life and hot. After making everyone crazy, finally this event came on its end. Several Pakistan fashion icons have taken part in this trend setting week. Lajwanti was one of the fashion brands that made the ramp on…

Shariq Textile Collection 2015 at Pakistan Fashion Week London

Shariq Textile at PFW7 London: Shariq Textile does not need any promotion. This textile company is very famous in all over globe for their designer wear dresses. Shariq offers many must have collections fur women. Recently this textile industry took one step ahead from other industries and appeared on the ramp on Pakistan Fashion Week 2015with their totally different and modern styles of designer…

Alizay Khan at Pakistan Fashion Week London 7 2015

Pakistani clothing sector is growing very rapidly and every new day brings lots of new dress brands, dress designers with it. Obviously, it gives tough competition to designers as well to buyer as more rigorous choice of attires. Now we have several names of fashion developers – who designs eastern wear and Western dresses to fulfill our needs and thanks to fashion shows and runway events – who…

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.

Sara speaks to the BBC about the Pakistani fashion boom in the UK at PFW7

It was a privlage to partner with Pakistan Fashion Week. I also had the opportunity to BBC News and BBC Midlands about the South Asian fashion boom in the UK. It's about time the world saw what South Asian fashion has to offer.

Backstage Beauty Secrets at PFW7

First it's hair and now it's beauty!!!! Backstage was buzzing at Pakistan Fashion Week UK (PFW7) and l had the chance to speak to fashion week make-up artist, Saima Akhtar who l had been stalking silently as she got models and presenters ready ;)

l wanted to know from Saima, very kindly she shared her honest yet inspirational story from wanting to peruse her passion but not being confident like most girls. Luckily she plucked by the courage and went for her passion as now she has the confidence to show off her work at PFW7. 

From looking at Saima's runway creations, we could tell her vast years of experience gave her a upper hand to becoming make-up artist of PFW7. She didn't over power and lead with make-up but for pret it was very natural and bridal and party wear make-up was slightly heavier but still complimented the look and didn't take too much away from the gorgeous suits. 

I asked Saima all the beauty questions l'm sure you were all inching to know; I water to know Saima's best advice for an everyday make-up as seen on the runway for more casual garments.

- For everyday make-up Samia suggested neutral colours but her best advice was to work with your natural beauty as it works best for everyday make-up.

The top party make-up trend for next season;

- Smokey eyes are a must for the runway look, her top tip was either focus on the eyes on the lips. Don’t go heavy on both, l agree as we all don’t want to look like drag queens.

I also asked about dark eye circles and how us Asian ladies could get round that with smokey eyes. Saima gave me some priceless advice and told me to use use different foundations as Asians have different skin tones around there face

- I loved her next advice, to be beautiful you need to feel-to-feel beautiful. Saima told us fruit, veg and water! Your 5 a day will keep those spots away!

Hair Trends at Pakistan Fashion Week

As most of you know, Pakistan Fashion Week UK (PFW7) took place in London over the weekend and l made it a mission to get you all the exclusives and stalk the make-up and hair stylists.

I have been very lucky and l got an exclusive scoop from one of the official hair stylists of PFW7, Shama Akhtar. I asked Shama for some tips on how to recreate Pakistan Fashion Week hair styles and some of her top hair trends for 2015; 

- Big buns are still in fashion and perfect for most occasions even when your on the school run. Buns were shaped into soft hearts, to more graphic, Japanese-inspired "sumo knots, full and classic.

- Runway trend, out of the water is marvellous. The slick, shiny hair from lightly gelled to fresh out of the water. Part it down the middle, comb it back or pull it up in a tight bun.

- For special occasions to make an entrance, bombshell blowouts are best. Big, sleek blowouts and bouncy curls, referenced the ultimate sex symbol by setting the hair in lots of rollers.

Other hair trends include;

- Boho waves are a must! Carefree, barely-there waves and more for a free-spirited, bohemian moment.

- Long tails are back in fashion ladies. Ponytails from high and sleek to looser and lower.

If you are going to a special event and want to look different try Shama’s mix materials tip - Ornate and playful accessories turning ordinary ponytails and buns into works of art. Why not add bold leather flowers matched the prints in the outfit, red roses, carnations and jewels in their hair.

A big thank you to Shama for their time, efforts and contribution.

It’s Pakistan Fashion Week UK #PFW7

It was a weekend full of Pakistani culture, fashion and elegance. Not only were the bloggers, Pakistani celebrities and press out in force but Pakistan’s High Commissioner and Trade Developer attended to see for a new type of fashion week, Pakistan Fashion Week in London (PFW7). 

PFW7 brings magnificent embroidered garments; rich culture and multi-faith fashion to the runway and where better to showcase it but one of the world’s top multicultural cities, London.

The British Asian fashion industry is a niche market but with the UK’s ethnic minority predicated to rise to 20% by 2051 and Islamic fashion boom in the UK - South Asian fashion promises to be lucrative market in the UK. And Riwayat is one of the only organisations that cater to the growing South Asian fashion industry in the UK. The fashion packed weekend all started at the PFW7 exhibition which gives attendees the chance to speak to the designers, view collections close-up and buy collections straight off the ramp. The exhibition was busy both days, buyers and media flocked in for the free exhibition to see what all the fuss is about and grab next season’s fashion.

PFW7 not only brings some of the best Pakistani designers over from Pakistan but allows talented upcoming British Asian designers to showcase their designs.

I spoke to Faika Karim, a British Pakistani designer and her team who came from Yorkshire and told me more about her eastern and western inspired collection. It was intriguing to hear what it took to create their designs and express how glad they were to be given the rare opportunity to showcase in London.

The exhibition was not only a must attend part of the event but the runway shows and l went backstage to see what it really takes to produce such a show.

There was no stopping for Adnan Ansari and his team; if they weren’t on the floor they were backstage assisting press such as the BBC, welcoming guests and making sure the event was running smoothly.

It was nearly time for the first show to commence; the designers were ready and the scene was set for the models to walk the runway. The guests, press and VIPs all rushed to their seats.

We had waited in anticipation for over six months and excitement the wait was over. The DJ’s bass kicked in and spotlight hit the ramp as the presenter introduced the first designer.

Sonya Battla opened the show with her innovative eastern and western fusion Pret collection and it set the scene perfectly for the other designers to follow.

All the three runway shows featured memorising bridal, Pret and casual suits from Honey Waqar, Bombay Stores, Aijazz Aslam, Rang Ja to mention a few.

I spoke to BBC entertainment reporter Shabnam Mahmood who wanted to know if Pakistani fashion could complete on a global scale and how does it compare to the London, New York, Milan and Paris fashion weeks.

Well, we only have to look at the PFW7 runway to see the intricate detailing, hand woven embroidery and phenomenal work undertaken to understand what makes Pakistani fashion unique and like no other fashion show. It’s only time till the world’s embraces South Asian fashion and Riwayat’s PFW expands rapidly.

Riwayat’s Pakistan Fashion Week doesn’t only cater to a growing ethnic minority in the UK but allows designers to feature their garments in cities they might otherwise not be able to showcase in. In addition, with the British Asian fashion market being stuck in the dark ages and more focus on traditional heavy Asian fashion. Riwayat provides invaluable fashion, styles, looks with a touch of innovation. PFW7 inspires fashion lovers in the UK, a platform to educate the British Asian market and allows people to see what Pakistani fashion has to offer the world.