Winner Pakistan Fashion Week presents at Miami Fashion Week
11/13/2009
Pakistan Fashion Week
Posted by: – Nov 13, 2009
This November marked a historic event in the history of Pakistan. The first ever Pakistan Fashion Week was held in Karachi, in the south eastern province of Sindh. Karachi is financial capital of Pakistan and one of the largest cities in the world.
The four day event took place at the Marriott hotel just next door to the American Embassy on Abdullah Haroon Road which was bombed by militants in 2002. The event featured over 30 designers of women and mens’ apparel, shoes and accessories. Everyone aimed at showing Pakistan’s culture and creativity in an industry that employs hundreds of thousands of people rather than the violence and oppression that is so often portrayed in the media.
Ayesha Tammy Haq, journalist and organizer of Pakistan Fashion week said, "This is our gesture of defiance to the Taliban. There is a terrible problem of militancy and political upheaval... but that doesn't mean that the country shuts down. That doesn't mean that business comes to a halt."
Pakistan Fashion Week was twice delayed because of security concerns (the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in 2007 and the more recent bombings at a military base in Islamabad) Foreign buyers and designers were asked not to participate because of uncertain security issues. The prize for the best show at Karachi fashion week was a show in Miami Fashion Week (March 18 - 21, 2010) However, the judge, Beth Sobol, had to choose a winner via the internet rather than in person for security reasons.
Sonya Battla
Although the events were not disrupted by violence an unexpected power outage left the opening show by designer Sonya Battla in the dark for several minutes.
Some of the designs featured more traditional styles of Pakistani fashions. How ever several designers scoffed at the Taliban ideal of modest clothing for women and sent models down the runways bearing lots of leg and bare shoulders.
Ismail Farid
Designer Nomi Ansari sent his models down the runway in black strapless dresses with thick black bangles and sheer back veils. Ismail Farid designed his dark collection on inspiration from the Pakistan military. Fahad Hussayn Aiesha Varsey sent a lighter look down the walkway in their bejeweled creations with silks, sheers and brocade fabrics in white, ivory and gold.
Fahad Hussayn Aiesha Varsey
Bright colors, feathers, rich textiles and modern twists on traditional embroidery were some of the other themes that made their way down the catwalk. Textiles and apparel make up some 60 percent of Pakistan’s exports with a large focus on silk, cotton, woven and embroidered fabrics. -LV
Ather Hafeez and Sabeen Ali
Lauren Vincelli
Lauren@rvamag.com