Despatch: Lahore Fashion Week 2014

The city of Lahore was a whirlwind of colour, shimmer and pumps this weekend, during the Lahore PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week. As Pakistan’s fashion industry grows, there is a newfound confidence that many young designers have started displaying in their designs. This comes with risks and experimentation, producing the best kind of fashion. This season, designers merged exquisite craftsmanship with a modern, global aesthetic. Here are ten looks that took our breath away.

Elan: This print on this dreamy voluminous skirt is inspired by the work of celebrated illustrator Rene Grau, and pairs perfectly with a sequinned black and silver crop top.

Photographs: Faisal Farooqui at Dragonfly

Elan: This crossover jumpsuit has a sarong flap stitched into the side seam. So chic.

Khaadi Khaas: The marriage of this sharp, masculine (sherwani) silhouette with vibrant floral embroidery and flow-y harem pants makes us giddy.

HSY: In his latest collection, designer Hassan Sheheryar Yasin used lots of luxurious chiffon in shades of ivory and pastels. We particularly love the quirky voluminous pants held up by the heavy embroidery at the bottom (painchay).

Mohsin Ali: Designer Mohsin Ali’s line for Libas was aptly titled ‘Crystal Macaroon’ and this white-on-white number was our favourite. Embossed white flowers on a sheer organza knee-length dress slipped over a crisp button-down. Yummy.

Maria. B: Inspired by her Kashmiri roots, designer Maria B played with traditional Kashmiri embroidery and silhouettes in her latest collection titled 'Ladakh'. We love the fresh green colour palette and feminine sheer pants of this look.

Ali Xeeshan: This raw silk top is classic and unconventional. Its structured silhouette makes it modern, while the gold ribbon embroidery adorned with Persian ferozas gives it a majestic old-world feel. 

Nida Azwer: In her new collection, Nida Azwer managed to give the jungle theme a new uber-chic spin. This pearl crop top is dotted with hand-embroidered cockatoos, macaws and parrots, juxtaposed against the grey cut-out skirt inspired by foliage. 

Khaadi Khaas: Large floral digital prints in exaggerated silhouettes is the coolest way to welcome the summer!

Shehla Chatoor: Sticking to her signature sexy gilded design style, Shehla Chatoor’s ivory churidar-style jumpsuit was topped off by a jacket that could put ancient kings' armours to shame. Chatoor infused metal accents in to the heavy Parsi gara work, 20,000 minute gold metal studs, all appliquéd on gold leather to create maximum impact.