PFW ends, leaves lasting impression

The three-day event showcased works of some of the leading

fashion designers from Pakistan. By Umer Nangiana

The Pakistan Fashion Week (PFW), a three-day extravaganza of Pakistani fashion and a one-of-its-kind event in town, came to an end on Saturday. Organised by Rahat Mansoor of Dhoom Events, the fashion gala featured prét and ready-to-wear collections from some of Pakistan’s leading fashion designers.

The collection, including bridal, casual and semi-casual wear, attracted scores of buyers from the local Pakistani and other expatriate communities during the three days. Raha, the chief organiser of PFW, said members of local Qatari community also turned out in large numbers and showed interest in Pakistani designers’ creations.

For the convenience of those who could not make it to PFW, the remainder of the collection from the participating designers will remain up for sale at the outlets of PH Design in Barwa Village and Bombay Silk on Salwa Road.

“With Eid al-Adha just a few days away, people will be able to buy new clothes for the occasion directly from the collection of some of their favourite Pakistani designer brands,” Rahat told Community, explaining the decision to extend the exhibition at the two partner outlets of the PFW.

The fiesta began with a spectacular fashion show at a packed Al Feroz Ballroom of Doha Marriot Hotel on Thursday. The glamorous night witnessed a colourful ramp by Pakistani and international models donning the most recent ensembles by the iconic Deepak Perwani and other leading designers from Pakistan, including Sobia Nazir, Sana Safinaz, Zainab Chottani, Emran Rajput and Mahagony by Sam Dada.

Choreographed by Imran Qureshi from Pakistan, the fashion show was inaugurated by Pakistani Ambassador Shahzad Ahmad and was attended by diplomats and dignitaries from many other countries besides members of different communities.

The audience went up in roar when film actress Meera first appeared on the ramp wearing a Deepak Perwani outfit. The biggest attraction of the show, Meera then walked the ramp wearing other designers’ collection.

She was followed by two celebrities from Pakistan’s television industry, Natasha Ali and Hasan Soomro. They were received with cheers from the crowd.

Besides women’s clothes, the show also featured attractive men’s collection from Emraan Rajput who presented some innovative designs in Arabic men’s wear such as gandurah. Bissino by Wasim Akram presented by PH Design made its presence felt.

The fashion show also featured a music performance by a duo of local singers who treated the audience to a couple of Pakistani folk and sufi songs. Other participating designers included Lajwanti, Maria B, Sobia Nazir, Amna Ismail, Obaid Sheikh, PH Design and Jahanzaib.

Rahat said the event was aimed to promote Pakistani products and fashion in the Qatari market. She said Pakistani designers, in turn, enjoyed exposure to a market that was still largely untapped yet it was growing very fast.

Speaking to the audience, she announced that the event will be made a regular feature and will be held twice a year from now on. Thousands of gift vouchers were also given to community members. The organisers said these vouchers could be redeemed at the exhibition for the latest Eid and Diwali collections.