After a power-packed 2 days of high fashion, Pantene HUM Showcase 2019 ended on a high note last night with its third and final day. Powerhouse brands Rizwan Beyg, Wardha Saleem, Munib Nawaz, Natasha Kamal, Khaadi Khaas, Jazib Qamar and Sana Safinaz took on the runway, each with a novel take on what fashion is today.

Commencing the show was Rizwan Beyg with ‘Pearlessence’, a collection that paid ode to the three decades that the designer completes this year in the fashion industry. A retinue of assorted pearls with dainty thread embroideries dominated the collection, with the embellishments handcrafted by artisans living in Southern Punjab, working under the umbrella of BUNYAAD, a project founded by Rizwan, which is dedicated to ‘Changing lives… one stitch at a time’. The embroideries were splayed out on a monochromatic ivory canvas, with silhouettes flitting between tradition and modernity; lehngas, fitted bodices splaying downwards into mermaid skirts, hybrids of the trouser, the eternally classy kurta and the exquisitely tailored button-down shirt with oversized pockets. Pakistan’s latest music sensation Asim Azhar walked as a showstopper for the master couturier.

The House of Wardha Saleem brought the launch of their new label, ‘JHIRKI’, an initiative to revive the antiquated crafts and techniques of the sub-continent with special focus on hand-wood block printing. The Spring/Summer 2019 collection showcased bespoke hand block and screen prints on pure silks, organza and chiffons with heritage embroideries and multipleage-old techniques on modern silhouettes with Sara Khan as the showstopper.

Up next was a strong menswear collection, ‘Dash’ by Munib Nawaz. Slogans, denims, plaids and stripes played a pivotal role in bringing this collection for the modern man who has roots in anarchy as well as conformity. Mehwish Hayat, Azfar Rehman, Zara Noor Abbas, Asad Siddiqui, and Ashir Wajahar from the cast of upcoming film Chhalawa walked as showstoppers for the acclaimed designer.

Natasha Kamal’s ‘Lilium’ showcased a playful take on lilies through a series of different fabrications and techniques. The designer has drawn reference from its asymmetrical imagery and vast array of hues. Finding modernity and fluidity in still florals, the prints are an abstract interpretation of the canna lily in Georgia O’Keeffe’s famous water colour paintings. This is reflected in the feminine silhouettes that are soft in structure.

Spanish flamboyance, the passion and history of the flamenco dancer, the drama and intensity of the matador and the song and longings of the gypsy inspired ‘Gypsy’ by Khaadi Khaas. The vibrant colours and designs spoke of the contemporary feminine mystique.

Next on the runway was Jazib Qamar’s ‘Kashmakash’, which used trims and tapes arranged in plain weave, to explore the age old craft to make edgy, intelligently playful pieces. With everything from sherwanis to suits, the collection took key style elements from traditional Indo-Persian menswear and reworked them in a contemporary street approved way, modelled by Feroze Khan as the showstopper.

The night ended with a grand finale by Sana Safinaz, who displayed their signature aesthetic of femininity and elegance with ‘Dynasty’. The collection brought out oblique references to Grace Jones and imagery reminiscent of the glory days have been incorporated into statement separates and cocktail attire. silks, exquisite patterns, and colours on the runway and ended day three with a flourish.

Stanislava Ilieva was crowned as the Ramp Queen at the Pantene HUM Showcase.

The 3rd Edition of Pantene HUM Showcase featured Rizwan Beyg as show director, Raheel Rao as as Senior Fashion Consultant and Advisor, Team Nabila, N-PRO and NGENTS as the official hair & makeup partners, with backstage management by Production 021.Official photography by Arsalan Bukhari, and DJ Yousuf Kamal handling music, while Mind Map Communications is a partner on both digital & press management.