Levis
Fashion Pakistan Week Day 3
Can only do so much
High street brand like Levis while introducing its products does not veer away from what it is. Even bringing on stylists like Rana and Ayaz, who can only do so much, Introducing yet another denim, Levis kept the look and feel of the show their usual self. Read the rest of this entry »
Side Stepped
I’M WEARING: Shirt (TopMan) / Skinny Jeans (Levis) / Loafers (Outfitters) / Ring (Flea Market)
Who say you need to feel blue when skies are grey? Go out, meet your friends or go on a date. Don’t let weather dampen your plans. While this look may feel understated due to the number of pieces, it is these statement pieces that just make up for no need to go overboard and keep things simple. For a simple casual look, I went for a TOPMAN fun printed shirt.. The fun thing about prints is that you can pair them up with coordinating solids. The interesting thing about this comic strip print is that it is in just one color rather than the riot (which I also happen to love) of colors. I remember doing a white denim and blue shirt look to which this is a complete opposite of sorts… hehe. Pairing up the white and blue shirt with blue skinnys from Levis that went perfectly with the shirt. Adding in a pop of color via the green loafers going sockless is perfectly in sync with the summer. It keeps the look from going the usual route of almost being fun. If you are having it, why not go all out to have fun. A fun pair of loafers or boat shoes always amps up a casual look. A statement ring is just all you need for that extra added quirk and you are good to go.
Soxy-ness
Photography by Marcos David
I’M WEARING: T.shirt (Giordano) / Skinny Jeans (Levis) / Socks (SOXY BEAST) / Boots (Stoneage) / Necklaces (Stoneage) / Leather cuff (Shehla Chatoor) / Rings and Midi Ring (Flea Market Finds)
I, for one, am a sucker for fun socks. Be it patterned or solid popping colors. While one (and myself) would expect me to take a certain attention grabbing approach towards these socks, when these patterned socks from SOXY BEAST arrived, I immediately knew how I would want to style them (and not the usual way). Soxy beast is a socks based brand that helps you stand out of the crowd in the most subtle or the boldest (however you may choose to style it) way via socks. ‘Bold patterns that help one channel their inner beast, who takes pride in his appearance and makes a strong impression on all he meets.’ Also what I liked was Soxy beast’s subscription. Releasing one design per month, if you subscribe, your subscription provides a pack of school socks to a child refugee. A small, however but significant effort to give back on their part. As far as my look goes I, however went for a much more subtle approach with these patterned socks, than I usually do. Going for a much casual affair, I went for a full sleeve tee and beige skinnys to go along with the look. Keeping the color scheme relatively simple with teals and neutrals, the pattern of the socks provides just enough quirky subtle detail that demands that you look again to find fun details. Finishing off with brown suede bourges, I accessorized with a few rings, a leather cuff from Shehla Chatoor, and necklaces from Stoneage.
Christmas Cruise
Photography by Laura Fortes and me
I’M WEARING: Button Up (Amir Adnan) / Skinny Jeans (Levis) / Knit Tie (Stoneage) / Socks (next) / Boots (Stoneage) / Rings (Flea market finds)
Getting into the spirit of Christmas, I went that route while I went on a cruise with friends. My wild child hair went pretty much free and had the time of their life in the unpredictable but fun Sydney weather (what can I say..I love rains). My Amir Adnan Button up is from their business line of shirts that I took for a casual spin at this occasion. Pairing it up with loosely tied knit stoneage tie, pretty much did what I was aiming for.. made the white and red striped tie stand out, yet connect to it. The pop of green socks perfectly rounded off the Christmas coded colors without being too much in your face. Nothing spells casual like a pair of skinny jeans but to maintain a bit of a vibe with the tie, I rounded off the look with brown suede boots and couple of rings from flea market. Also just had to share some of the shots of the cruise with you guys 🙂
FPW A/W’14 Day1 Part I
The Fashion Pakistan Week kicked off in full storm and I enjoyed every livestreamed minute of it (wish I was there). Kudos to Latitude and Faisal Kapadia for having one of the most seamless livestream. Though it did have a couple of glitches, but for most part I was a happy camper staying up for the fashion week
Uber Boho
With sightings of it on red carpet, I have to admit I was a bit skeptical about the opening show of Ather Hafeez for Sana Safinaz. However as soon as it began, my doubts were defintitely put to rest with a collection that was high on glam and embodied all qualities of a boho chic vibe running throughout it. The band walas playing Dum Maaro dum and seamlessly flowing into Get Lucky was the perfect accompaniment for the collection with its upbeat vibe and quirky accents.
The fablousness that sashayed onto the ramp via this collection comprised of some deft handling at layers, drapes and prints on silks. The collection that featured kitschy prints combined with those black and whites, in an array of colors, saw Ather Hafeez return to his element. What I loved about the collection was layers on layers on layers of prints but done soo right in terms of proportions and balance that nothing looks out of place. With a nod to referencing seventies, calligraphy crop tops, breezy jackets, print peek-a-boo of bra lets, printed pants (wide and tapered) all worked together bringing a collection that was right up my boho chic alley. What I also loved were the round shades that were a perfect tribute to the vintage with models channeling their inner Zeenat Aman (one of the ensemble even reminded me of her.. guess which one hint: its one of the top 5) on the ramp. Barring some pieces, yellow one on cybil, two opening pieces (both were too villagey styled and a bit too OTT), bling tank dress seemed odd in the whole collection though I loved it and the lime yellow top with pink pants and blue upper looked kinda bit jokerish, the collection had many brilliant moments. The splash of color on runway was the perfect way to start things off. My picks.. the last five pieces in pictures above.. Loved that calligraphy crop top styled to perfection, sheer pants and the whole boho vibe of the dress (perfect dum maro dum moment) and collection…What was there not to love
Dawned, but yet to Rise
Ishtiaq Afzal Khan is best remembered for the debacle of his last outing. His collection resided on solid colors inspired from dawn fared better than his previous offering but because we have seen so much of it already, his collection seemed a bit in need of an update. Starting off with a trio, he presented what seemed like three mini capsules on the runway from matt gold pistachio to oranges to midnight hue. The collection featured an array of dresses, saris with jackets (iraj made that work,sorry), fun take on patialas and basic seperates. While he did not experiment much, he came under the fire because it was too basic. That mini dress would have been a winner if not for bad stitching. The patialas though as much as I liked them and offered a break in the sequence of things, they felt a bit of misfit in a collection that was much more body flattering and streamlined lines. I also spotted a dior meet Zara Shahjahan skirt (from where u ask? similar vibe and print that she used). An orange ensemble with a quilted jacket had a confused inner with part bra let, part lace going on. The collection did present some interesting elements but for most part the three capsules sort of seemed disconnected from each other.
He also presented one menswear, one each for each set. The matt gold one was too vintage with a 50s vibe and the black one needed a better fit. Of the three the rusty orange quilted jacket fared a much better success. Also one of the fawn gold pieces from the trio, the peplum leather top was near flawless with the hot sheer low back and coupled with ripple quilted pants. And as I said earlier loved the patialas with layered tops esp those quilted kotis were fun spins.
Confused Chills
Always love a jacket with a dress and sneakers (Rubya Chaudhry pulled that off brilliantly), Sadly for Levis, that moment came a bit too soon. An example of how putting together pieces and styling is a necessity, Levis provided a view on how could it all go wrong and what not to do. While the concept of presenting a winterwear was on point, the selection of pieces that could have made up for a potential winning casual outing was let down. Ah where to begin, from Adnan Siddiqui’s 90’s laidback look oddly fitted(even he couldn’t save it)to the psychedelic purple jeggings to washed out pastels with jarring boots that made even Neha look stout to those camouflage pants looking way outta place in the whole collection. A whole lot went wrong at many points and while the same collection could have been presented way better, this was a bit of an missed oppurtunity.
Selecting the pieces to go on the runway from your regular lines makes sense, but what to showcase and putting together as ensembles does become a point of inference. You do know there are bloggers in Pakistan and could have collaborated with them… Collab ideas! is anyone listening.