Will these 3 young designers manage to break the mould at fashion week?

We chat with Natasha Kamal, Zainab Salman and Aamna Aqeel, here's what they have to say

Updated 06 Apr, 2016

While veterans from the sorority dominate Fashion Week's line-up, could three budding designers come out on top on the ramp?

With Natasha Kamal, Zainab Salman and Aamna Aqeel all showing this year, it could happen. Here's what to expect from the next big things in fashion:

Natasha Kamal

What can we expect from your collection that you'll be showing at FPW? What do you think will make you stand out from the rest?

The collection is tropical-themed. It's like a resort collection: fluid, earth-toned colours with some bolder accents thrown in. It's also not as structured as my last collection, which was more fabricated.

I'm experimenting with cuts, for instance in this collection I'm going to show four or five different kinds of flared trousers.

What's new here is that it's going to be a very wearable collection. I know that summer is coming and the heat is going to be really strong so the fabrics are very breathable.You'll see net, georgette and chiffon and not a lot of silk. There will also be a focus on separates that you can mix and match into your wardrobe. The clothes will be conservative enough that you won't need to make many changes to them to incorporate them into your daily routine.

What are you looking forward to seeing from other designers at fashion week?

"I'm looking forward to seeing how other designers (at FPW) will translate international trends for our audience. I also want to see how other designers are handling tropical inspiration because I know a lot of designers are. But from what I can see so far, my take on tropical is very different from lets say, Maheen Karim's. So let's see."

Expect to see lots of earth tones and delicate bead work

Zainab Salman

What can we expect from your collection that you'll be showing at FPW? What do you think will make you stand out from the rest?

Our Spring/Summer '16 collection is titled "Moon Struck" and has been inspired by a Mid Summer Night's Dream.

Fabrics have been moulded into architectural folds and pleats and there are also a few pieces that have soft, flowing layers.

The collection is predominantly based in delicate sheer organza; a fabric that i feel just exudes understated glamour. Each piece has been stitched with meticulous Swarovski and pearl embellishments and intricate embroideries and prints have also been incorporated.

Salman's dreamy collection will mark her catwalk debut

Not to mention the soft pastel hues will bring a very innocent feel to the whole collection.

This is your first time showing at FPW; what's going through your head? What are you looking forward to seeing from other designers at fashion week?

Well, we're more excited than scared, just hoping that everyone loves it as much as we do.

I really want to see what new silhouettes other designers are doing this time around, especially have my eye on Maheen Karim and Faraz Manan. It's all about the pants this year so I'm going to keep an eye out for fun cuts and detailing.

Aamna Aqeel

What can we expect from your collection that you'll be showing at FPW? What do you think will make you stand out from the rest?

"The collection is called 'Stare'. It's inspired by nature and my main fabric is going to be black and white stripes. You'll also see vibrant accent colours like mango yellow, leaf green and fuchsia. I like making western clothes but they don't sell as much in Pakistan so we're doing kind of a fusion, with dhoti pants, jumpsuits with long jackets. We're also going to be doing a lot of fringe. It's a very hip and edgy collection."

Aamna Aqeel will characteristically dabble with modern lines

Where can potential customers get their hands on your pieces?

"I have my own studio in Phase 2 in Karachi, and I prefer to fit the clothes on my customers there. Here in Pakistan everyone faces problems with ready to wear, we have Asian bodies and they don't do well with standard sizing. I mean you could be a UK 8 on top and a UK 10 on the bottom. I'll also stock in labels in Karachi and Brands Just Pret in Dubai. I'm also working on my website, which will be up soon.

What are you looking forward to seeing from other designers at fashion week?

I'm looking forward to Ayesha Farooq Hashwani, I think she's a superstar. I'm also looking forward to Zaheer Abbas, Deepak Perwani and Shamaeel. I'm not a shalwar kameez person so I'll be keeping my eye on western wear. But basically I'm rooting for everyone and I want everyone to rock the show.