Summer on the Orient Route

With almost nine months of amazing warmth, comfort is on the top of the list, but that does not mean your own style has to take a back seat. Put your best foot forward in the trendiest of summer looks that go easy not only on the skin, but mind too.

This year has seen the Bangladeshi fashion scene take a giant leap forward through the successful execution of the TRESemmé Bangladesh Fashion Week 2019. Riding on the highs of the successful international show, Maheen Khan and the Farzana Shakil shares their thoughts, and talks about their recent collaboration.

Renowned designer Maheen Khan believes that it is an accepted norm within South-east Asian culture to bring out whites, pastels, and corals as the temperature rises. This season, her Spring-Summer Collection comprises pure silks, Muslins, and cottons in subtle and muted coloured tones.

The cuts are wearable and chic, and can easily transcend from the casual to the dressed; day time to evening looks through added layers — double breasted or long jackets, with embellishments inspired by the Arabesque patterns, commonly seen on Islamic architectural heritage structures.

Keeping in mind the weather, environment, and the social aspects of how women dress in this day and age, and as a woman herself, Maheen Khan believes one needs to be prepared for anything and everything!

For a change, this collection is more personal, and reflective of her own global and contemporary style, and not of what the customer demands.

Speaking on their collaboration, makeup artist Farzana Shakil said, "She draws inspiration from her own traditional roots, fusing with oriental influences. A balance between colour and fusion, and not something that is mainstream."

To complement the attires by Khan, Shakil said, "The overall skin has been given a moisturised, natural finish; more commonly known as a 'glassed-skin-look' in the makeup world. The hair pulled back into versions of pony tails and blushed cheeks.

"Practicing restraint but still being theatrical, the overall appearance is impressively oriental, with tunic tops, draped trousers with very delicate embroidery and needle work," she added.

Along with the head and hat accessory, and the makeup, these two creative souls harmoniously bring out the best of both their worlds; and we present the fruits of that collaboration in this amazing photoshoot that oozes a fanfare that is contemporary and oriental chic.

A lighter-colour attire has a ripple effect on the mood. Designers know this, which is why once the sun's out, so are all colours in lighter shades that soothe, not only the wearer but also the admirers gaze. Layering is the rule of thumb to avoid sun burns, and mixing and matching fabrics will help amp up your daily fashion quotient.

This summer's mantra is channeling your inner Gandhi, but with panache. Something around the lines of a Grecian Goddess who is ethereal, but a fashionista in heart.

Lemon greens, baby blues, peach tones, lavenders, pastels and different shades of white— Ivory and beige, even muted browns that remind you of warm sandy beaches.

Go for the classic monochrome look, but do not just do it in white, raise it up a few notches for that graceful finish in a kurti or kameez with minimal and delicate embellishments and a matching shalwar in soft shades of pink and peach. Although white is your best friend, best to use it in the form of pants and shalwars, coupled with your favourite sky blue kurti that can very easily be dressed up with a jacket in the same colour tone.

Layering in lighter tones is also a good way to go, especially with natural fabrics like cotton. Opt for an asymmetrical jacket with a tunic and pair it with palazzos for instant elegance. Long and short kurtis coupled with slim pants and a floral palazzo respectively are also great options for summer.

Palazzos are a godsend and do not just pair them with your kameez. Go for anarkalis, crop-tops with jackets or even shirts.

As we are all about that lighter coloured mantra, white palazzos are a safe choice, but try out printed ones, or even any other coloured ones to show off your playful side. 

Scarves are your best friend. Be the belle of the ball at the next evening get-together by contrasting your pastel colour dress with a contrasting but lighter shade scarf. A sober dress and a killer scarf, what could go wrong with that combination?

If you have a formal invite to attend, keep it classy in muted shades, combined with metallic accents. Nothing beats the classic white and gold embellishments, but this year has seen other lighter shades of even greens, blues and pink with silver and golden embroidery, dominate the fashion scene.

Another favourite is having different cut works and fabrics in matching shades as three pieces, or even the shalwar-dupatta or either, being a shade lighter or darker. This works best when done on coral tones.

Whichever style or outfit choice you make, remember, fashion is personal and by all means, about comfort, especially with raising temperatures. So do not forget to stay hydrated and stylish!

Photo: Protoy Ahmed

Model: Ratul, Tabinda, Tania, Abdullah Al Mahfuz, Joly

Wardrobe: Maheen Khan

Makeover: Farzana Shakil