LAHORE: Ambassadors and diplomats of several countries took to the ramp at a fashion fiesta at Alhamra Art Centre, The Mall, on Saturday evening.

Paper Miracles in collaboration with Alhamra Arts Council organised its 4th annual fundraising fashion show, ‘Colours of Fusion’. The first two were held in Islamabad and two in Lahore.

On Saturday, there was a fusion of cultures, talents and colours from various parts of the world. More than 45 performers comprising 35 expatriates and diplomats participated in the event, including ambassadors of Austria, Brigitta Blaha; Bosnia, Nedim Makarevic; Denmark, Ole Thonke; Germany, Ina Lepel; Japan, Kurai Takashi; and Poland, Piotr Opalinski.

Performers also included diplomats and dignitaries from Belgium, Italy, Thailand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, the US and representatives of the UN High Commission for Refugees and UN Information Centre. Master of Ceremonies was the ‘last prince of Swat’ Adnan Aurangzeb.

The show featured celebrity models clad in Pakistani attire, Japanese kimonos and other national dresses bejeweled with accessories made from paper beads.

The Japanese envoy demonstrated the art of kendo, a fusion dance performance during which the beat of the dhol and Japanese drum wadaiko echoed in the hall. There was also an unplugged performance by the Bosnian ambassador.

Folk singer Krishan Lal Bheel earned applause for his performance. A dance and drum performance featuring Pakistani and foreign artists was also loved by the audience.

The event also featured preview of an upcoming coffee table book Colours of Pakistan – Through the Eyes of the Diplomats. Imran Shaukat, co-founder of Paper Miracles, defined it as: “This book comprising amazing photograph of Pakistan’s culture, people and landscape taken by over 40 diplomats is a novel show of their appreciation of Pakistan.”

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2016