One of the relatively new names in the industry, Shamsha Hashwani made her bridal runway debut at PFDC L’Oreal Fashion Week in 2016 and then showed again in 2017. This year, she chose not to show at PLBW and is instead showing her Spring/Summer collection ’19 at Vancouver Fashion Week. The collection titled ‘Shanaz’ is inspired by her own paintings depicting flowers and therefore have floral embroidery. There are textural embroidery techniques including 3D embellishments, beadwork, wasli motifs and threadwork. We’re told to expect a sixteen-piece collection featuring contemporary silhouettes including jumpsuits, gowns and other pieces that are probably going to do well in the market abroad and eventually the local party circuit. They will also retain the design and textile elements that are so inherent to Pakistan, like jamevar, chiffon and georgette on a colour palette of jewel colours. What one hopes for local designers is to keep showing, one way or the other, ideally at local fashion weeks and shows but then of course, international recognition is important as well. The thing is that most designers also have huge client bases in the USA, UK, Canada and Singapore. To show and exhibit here is essential for their business growth. Shamsha will be showing a Spring Summer collection at VFC and we hope she will bring the showcase back home too.
