Going Datch


What do you do when you bring together casual, sportswear and accentuate it boots, bling, crazy hair and makeup and a whole new attitude? You get the Italian sportswear brand, Datch. And Datch came to town last weekend in a fashion show that was an eclectic mixture of both day-wear and evening-wear and was a tad too short. Although the invitation card dictated that the dress code for the evening was “smart casual”, the attendees were anything but, and seemed to fodsc_0032.jpgllow the “it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed” notion.

Starting around an hour and a half too late, normal by local standards, the opening section of the show was a flurry of colours and at the most, interesting combinations of them. With most models sporting capris that ranged from white to black and blue, the tops ranged from large kaftan-inspired creations to button-down shirts. The combinations were loud, colourful and at times, over-the-top. An outfit that stood out was a large, black and white zebra print shirt worn by Rubya Chaudry, over orange pants – a blend that was oddly reminiscent of the glam rock element predominant eighties. With hair and makeup courtesy of Nabila’s salon, the models in the first segment sported almost identical hair with light-brown, almost blonde buns on top of their heads ending up with spiked hair falling over on one side. Rumor has it that the wigs the models sported were flown in especially for the event. Although not brining anything drastically new, this section brought the glam rock element symbolic of the eighties and customized it to the current decade.

Coming towards the darker side, but in terms of colour only, the second section could have been categorized as formal evening wear had every outfit not been flavored with a little bit of silver and gold here and there. The outfits were simple and ranged from dsc_0072.jpgblack to dark brown in the colour. The models were accessorized with chains as necklaces and belts that flashed slightly on the runway. One of the knee-length dresses on the runway carried pockets near the hem (ala 70s style), following the international fashion trend for 2008 towards having pockets on dresses. There was one outfit, however, that was somewhat ghastly: a silver, backless bathing suit worn over black tights. It had a very Vegas showgirl (without the feathers) costume-gone-bad look to it. The outfit itself was an eyesore and stood out painfully compared to the rest of the outfits in the set.

The final set was when things became really interesting. Almost monochromatic, this section carried the most attitude, in terms of overall look, as well. The lights were dimmed with the only the one at the entrance, at the beginning of the ramp lit. The models began by posing against the light and the silhouettes that their outfits and most importantly, their hair made against the light were interesting to watch. The make up for this segment was dark, especially below the eyebrow and the hair was shorter and spikier – oddly reminiscent of the type being sported in the current Japanese pop culture (without the coloured hair). The predominant look for this section was definitely biker chic: complete with knee-length, high-heeled boots to long coats worn alone or over short black dresses. Definitely made for the winter seasondsc_0077.jpg, the coats, boots and the length of the dresses was perfect in keeping its occupier fashionably warm without toasting them entirely.

Interestingly though, for the final showing, the lights were dimmed again and the models took their positions on the runway. When the lights came on, one could see Vinnie (the only model for whom there would be some applause every time she’d appear on the runway) on the forefront, with a fierce almost scary expression locked on her face. She was almost statuesque in her appearance and exuded a cold confidence that sealed the event as well.

A sports brand in the loosest sense of the world, Datch by its own definition, stands for “freedom of expression, determination, music and sport”. The outfits themselves, although not radically different from what is currently available for any Pakistani woman looking to wear something to the next socialite event, did bring a touch of more sophisticated class (only in the latter sections) to what is currently being circulation.

– Photography by Fayyaz Ahmed
First Published:
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November 18, 2007