LAHORE: Our Fashion industry has reached new heights, we have reached a point where each of us has got recognition for his/her craft but it still has a lot to go through before being titled as an established industry, says internationally renowned fashion designer Mohsin Naveed Ranjha who is participating in upcoming PFDC bridal week going to be held in Lahore this month.

When asked what’s new he is going to offer in the upcoming PFDC bridal week, Ranjha, known for his label, MNR, says his brand has been taking measures to expand and grow and tap untouched markets.

“This year has been the year of putting MNR out there as a brand that revolves around the essence of our heritage and culture and offers something for everyone. In this fashion week, we are going to put out an exquisite array of bridal couture, consisting of decked eastern silhouettes in rustic colours, depicting the essence of royalty and eastern glamour.”

To the question about the percentage of copied designs in the Pakistani fashion cosmos, he says, “I think Pakistani fashion cosmos has a lot to learn. Each design house and designer has extensive methods of research and development it needs to look into things like the market that it is catering to, affordability and reliability of the design to the market and so on. What designers here don’t understand is that even if you are making use of unethical measures or ripping off their designs, you are only lowering your credibility and position in the fraternity. While you’re at it, you might succeed but in the longer run, honesty and transparency takes the lead”.

About his signature style in bridal wear, Mr Ranjha says his signatures are rustic red shades complimented with the most sought after rustic hand-embellished details in royal eastern silhouettes.

Talking about his inspiration in fashion industry both at the international and local level, he says he has always been amused by the design processes and the credibility of a design house rather than being inspired by the work that they produce. Internationally, he loves how minimal and beautiful European fashion is and he loves the trends that the Italian design houses come up with and for marketing he always looks up to American and British Fashion houses. At the local level, Ranjha has always been stunned by the designs of Bunto Kazmi and Nilofer Shahid.

When asked about the way Karachi and Lahore fashion fraternities could bridge ways for a harmonious working, he suggests that the fashion industry should work on building a strong base for the respected council. “We should have our own rewards and a transparent system that is strictly working for the research and development and transparency of the whole fashion fraternity.”

Regarding the percentage of Pakistani designers’ share in international market, Ranjha thinks the quality of Pakistani fashion is groundbreaking, especially in terms of bridal couture and eastern fashion, and technology has made it easier for us to get hold of international orders and that has made the business international and reachable for everyone.

He adds, “A large number of international customers buy via fashion buyers or place an order online which actually builds a large percentage in overall sales”.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2019