The Bank Alfalah Rising Talent Show commenced with a special video montage featuring all 5 emerging talents speaking about their collections and inspirations. This was followed by a collaborative capsule collection featuring 5 ensembles, each designed by the individual participating designers using the Bank Alfalah signature blue and white corporate theme as their inspiration. This was followed by individual presentations by each designer.
Up and coming designer Amina Malik presented a collection titled ‘Functional redefinition – Origami’ during the ‘Bank Alfalah Rising Talent Show’ segment of PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week 2014. The collection took its inspiration from the traditional paper folding technique Origami, which transforms a two dimensional surface into three dimensions through folding. The women’s wear collection was based on a variety of fabrics including raw silk, organza and ammara, a form of leatherite, in distinct shades of white and gold. The designer’s creative use of rubber / silicone three dimensional printing lended a unique texture to each printed ensemble in the collection.
Hammad Sadiq showcased his debut collection titled ‘From Infidelity, with Love!’ at the ‘Bank Alfalah Rising Talent Show’ segment of PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week 2014. The women’s wear collection was inspired by the concept of infidelity, particularly how disloyalty to anyone, anything or any ideal seeps into one’s system and causes suffering. The collection also demonstrated disloyalty on a national scale, aptly depicted through the symbolic use of the Jinnah Cap. The designer’s showcase featured 4 intangible characters that were a manifestation of this chain, namely The Virgin, The Derelict, The Immoralist and The Infidel. For this collection, Hammad had used organic fabrics including cotton net, cut-work on chicken and lace in a diverse colour palette that featured whites, off-whites, blues, pinks, golds, blacks and shades of red. With the designer’s use of deconstruction, one observed narrow and deep V-necklines, backless dresses and slouchy A-line silhouettes with seams that were inside-out with frayed organza edges.
Emerging talent Hira Ashfaq participated in the ‘Bank Alfalah Rising Talent Show’ segment of PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week 2014 with her debut collection titled ‘Symbols of Allama Iqbal.’ The exclusive women’s wear collection took its inspiration from a prism, into which white light radiates to form a spectrum of colours, which along with reflective glasses, the Shaheen (eagle) and the Holographic Jugnu (firefly) are all the designer’s interpretations of different Symbols of Iqbal. Indeed, the collection was envisioned to be a contemporary manifestation of the philosophy of the renowned poet. The designer used fabrics such as organza, metallic leather and shamose silk in shades comprising of metallic colours, which were demonstrative of white light passing through a prism to disperse into a spectrum of colour, used to show strength. Observed trends were edgy cut-lines, with creative organza layering and innovative digital prints.
Sarah Awais made her debut at the ‘Bank Alfalah Rising Talent Show’ segment of PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week 2014 with a collection titled ‘The Dramatic Veils’. The collection took its inspiration from Arabic face veils and the work of acclaimed Japanese photographer Kimiko Yoshida. Indeed, derived from Bedouin veils, the collection was an amalgamation of an eastern look with the monochromatic self-portraits of Kimiko Yoshida. The women’s wear collection was based in luxurious fabrics such as organza and suiting fabric and featured Shanghai cuts which were structured and androgynous. The creative ensembles had been embellished by chains, coins, patch work and other materials to impart a distinct antique look to the collection. Based in a dynamic colour palette featuring Midnight Teal, blue and crimson, observable trends included defined lines, gold and glitz with a sheer look.
Seher Tareen made her PSFW debut in the ‘Bank Alfalah Rising Talent Show’ showcase at PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week 2014 with a luxury prêt collection titled ‘Neo Nouveau’. Taking inspiration from the Art Nouveau Movement of the early twentieth century, the designer has based the collection around the select work of Austrian artist Gustav Klimt who was a prominent Art Nouveau painter. Indeed, Klimt’s iconic paintings ‘The Kiss’ and ‘Lady with a Fan’ were both featured in the collection in the form of figures that had been hand embroidered on statement pieces such as jackets and dresses. ‘Neo Nouveau’ incorporated the use of highly unexpected materials; Crêpe De Chine, canary yellow raw silk combined with black and pewter embroidered leather to make for a striking collection. The designer aimed for the collection to be an amalgamation of high art with ready to wear fashion.
Bank Alfalah also announced its plan to sponsor the winner of Bank Alfalah Rising Talent Show through a dedicated rack display at the PFDC Lahore multi-label outlet for up to 6 months post PSFW.
Check out the collection
