Ayesha Ibrahim at the Rhythm of Asia Fashion Show London 2010

Ayesha Ibrahim was last seen on asianfashionblog.co.uk showcasing her red and black collection at the Pakistan Fashion Extravaganza (click here to view) I wasn't too complimentary about that collection, but I liked this winter collection showcased at the Rhythm of Asia fashion show much better.

Photo credits go to Shahid Malik Studio.

Just like the her last show was red and black themed, there was a consistent colour theme to this collection too - white with hints of black and gold:

I'm not keen on this polka-dot fringed one-sleeve outfit, I think it would make a very nice shawl perhaps but as a dress I don't think it works!

There's something about these last two outfits that make me think ancient greek goddess (aside from the fact one of them is worn with leggings!) maybe it's the white and gold colours and the way they're quite loose and flowing.

I'm in two minds about this whole collection, on the one hand there's a cohesive theme based on the colour scheme and if you saw one of these outfits worn at a party it would definitley stand out amongst the "safe" black outfits, however when you seen 10 white and gold outfits all together like this you yearn for a hint of colour - at least I do anyway!

Adhvaitha at the 2010 Rhythm of Asia Fashion Show

Another designer on the catwalk at the 2010 Rhythm of Asia fashion show in London was Adhvaitha. Their outfits provided a big change to all the long-flowing maxis on show from the other designers, although I'm not sure I'm really liking these outfits much!

I'm quite drawn to the top on this outfit above, I like the detail but the skirt doesn't quite work for me.

I have to say this purple and yellow ensemble is my least favourite outfit from this collection!

A big thanks for Photographer Shahid Malik for these photos.

Elan by Khadijah Shah at the Rhythm of Asia Fashion Show London 2010

The 2010 Rhythm of Asia fashion show took place in London at the start of August. Here is the Elan collection by Khadijah Shah.

Photo credits go to Shahid Malik Studio

The maxi dress type of floor-length gown-style outfits was very much in full swing here, and pretty as these outfits may be, I'm starting to feel like I have seen one too many, especially after looking at the other designer outfits at this show - there was very much more of the same!

What makes a good maxi-style asian outfit? I know I'm terribly behind in the fact that I don't own such a garment but for those of you that do, share your views and words of wisdom!

Neeta Lulla at Winter 2010 Lakme Fashion Week

I last wrote about Neeta Lulla when she showcased a collection for London's RCKC at the Asiana Elite Bride Show earlier this year. Seeing as that event was a wedding show all the looks were very bridal, here are some very different looks which were on show at the Winter Lakme Fashion Week last month as part of Neeta' 2010 Silver Jubilee line.

This show had everything, from skirt suits/lehngas, dresses/gowns to silky trousers and leggings, all in a range of bright but not over-the-top colours

Some of these dresses are a little over the top with all the frills and tulle (I'm talking about the red and pink dresses in particular!) but let's not forget Neeta Lulla is also a costume designer and I think the drama and funky head-pieces work!

I'm not a fan of the ponchos but I like the silky pants and tunic looks above

More drama and costume-styles ended the show, including this big-collared red and purple outfit above which looks very regal!

Finally, instead of getting the latest hot young thing in Bollywood on the catwalk, Neeta went old school and dressed actress Sridevi to walk down the catwalk with her. I almost couldn't believe it was her when I saw this photo, I've not seen a close-up but from this distance she looks gooooood! As for the dress, well some other LFW commenters/bloggers have described it as a "space suit" but I don't think it looks that bad. I'd say it's a bit of a contrast to see a flat block colour after all the mixed tones/panels/ruffles already seen on this catwalk. What do you think of the collection and this final star outfit?

Photo credits go to the official Lakme Fashion Week website where you can view more photos from this event.

Arpan Vohra catwalk collection at Winter 2010 Lakme Fashion Week

Here are some more photos from the Winter 2010 Lakme Fashion Week which took place in India last month. It's the collection by Arpan Vohra, which I thought was a bit hit and miss with some beautiful flattering outfits and other which I can't see any normal woman wearing!

I'm not sure what to make of these three outfits, the nude-all-in-one is VERY bold outfit choice which wouldn't be very forgiving to most normal women's bodies, with the hot pink dress I don't see any shape, and although I like the short pouffy trousers I don't think they work with that top!

I really like the little cut-out jacket that's worn with the shorts outfit on the right - I think that whole look is very chic, but again it's the type of thing which would only really look good on a model or someone with legs that go on forever!

More photos from Winter 2010 Lakme Fashion Week are available on the LFW website

Yousuf Bashir Qureshi YBQ Designer Profile

Yousuf Bashir Qureshi was one of the designers who was in the UK last month, showcasing his designs and taking part in the Internation Foundation For Mother and Children Health Charity Fashion show, where his collection was shown alongside collections by fellow Pakistani designer Maria B.

Here are some of the designs from his collection called "Holey"

I attended this fashion show and there was definitely surprise amongst the audience when these unembroidered almost neon-bright outfits came onto the catwalk, particularly after just viewing the heavily embroidered Maria B bridals!

A week after this fashion show, I was given the opportunity to meet Yousuf Qureshi in person, to view his designs up close and to find out more about the man behind these bright coloured clothes.

He described the inspiration behind his "Holey" collection as a celebration of colour, I managed to record a sound clip of Yousuf describing this his concept behind "Holey" in his own words - have a listen:



Yousuf hasn't always focused on asian fashion, his background was originally in costume - he dressed Madonna for her Ray of Light album, then moved into movies where he designed the first jacket that Keanu Reeves wore in The Matrix.
He's also designed for Kenneth Cole, for Givenchy, Christian Lacroix, as well as creating in his own words "recipes for denim washes" which he sells to brands like Levis and Diesel.

He could have easily stopped at a successful career in fashion design, but he started to take an interest in photography and established himself as fashion photographer with his work appearing in W magazine and American Vogue. He admits to doing so much fashion photography that he got bored of it all, and was inspired again by watching a news story on genocide in Ethiopia "I just went there and started shooting - I became a war photographer".

He became involved with the IFMCH charity when he met charity founder and Chairman Dr.Saleem Khan in Pakistan. He came to the UK specially for the launch of IFMCH and agreed to showcase his collection at the charity fashion show.

Although the fashion show only had female models, Yousuf didn't shy away from showing his menswear designs, much to the amusement of the audience and the models too!

After speaking to Yousef in great depth about allsorts of non-fashion related topics, I got a chance to check out the clothes up close and even try an outfit on! My initial impression of the collection after watching the fashion show was a bit like "I wouldn't wear this..." but then I tried the below outfit on:

Firstly I went and put it on back-to-front...that was an embarassing moment to say the least! but once I had it on the right way around and I looked in the mirror I liked what I saw. The great thing about this collection is that you can mix and match the pieces and the colours to suit your own tastes - for example I'd probably wear this outfit with plain black pajama and some sky-high funky heels.

If you're interested in any of the pieces in this collection or the jewellery which was also designed by YBQ the main contact for anyone in the UK is Mariha on 07974003046.

A big thanks to photographer Shahid Malik for use of these photos and to the International Foundation for Mother and Children Health who arranged for me to meet and interview Yousuf.