|
|
Chinese fashion show: Pakistan makes waves
China has taken the world by storm in recent years, in nearly all walks of life. So, why should it lag behind in culture? The Boao Conference, held in the first week of November, brought the Asian world together not just for business discussions, but also to exchange cultural ideas and traditions.
To present their culture, a show depicting fashion from the eight participating countries, which included Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, China and Pakistan was arranged at a avenue. Top couture designers showed off their cultural heritage in terms of style and fashion.
The show was held in Hainan province, in the city of Boao, which, not too long ago, was without electricity and telephones but now boasts over 25 hotels, highways and everything imaginable in terms of comfort and style. Deepak Perwani, representing Pakistan at the conference, showed off a diffusion of East and West, starting the show with a white multi-layered gharara and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s music.
The audience burst into applause with President Pervez Musharraf, who was also present as the Chinese models walked down the catwalk wearing Pakistani clothes, as if they had worn them all their lives. This was fashion in its glorious self, a true language unspoken but felt, bringing people together.
The second outfit was a red sari while the last piece was a black strappy sharara with green kundan jewellery and peacock feathers, which the model held in her hands. As she offered a salaam to everyone in the audience, the gesture won many hearts that night. And what a spectacular night it was, with tons of fireworks marking the grand finale.
It appeared as if both countries had not expected what they saw that evening. The Chinese have come a long way from Mao’s time to fashion that was very elegant. It would not be a surprise if one sees Chinese designers participating in fashion shows abroad soon! The Chinese weren’t expecting the Pakistanis to be so up-to-date. Seeing the elegance of Deepak Perwani’s clothes, a whole vista seemed to have opened up for Pakistani designers there, having never had such a cultural exchange in the past.
The music, the models and the clothes spoke the same language whether it was Singapore, Malaysia, Pakistan or China. They were all one for that brief period of time, part of a bigger picture; a picture that makes us children of the global village.
Deepak Perwani, proud to be part of such an event, informed that he has been appointed a permanent member to promote culture between the two countries and also to promote dialogue that speaks not the language of politicians, but of fashion!
|
|
