LAHORE: Students from seven undergraduate departments of the Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design (PIFD) put on display their theses work highlighting the social, cultural values, traditions and thought-provoking ideas.

The theses display opened on June 16 and the closing ceremony will be held on Monday (tomorrow).

As many as 300 students displayed their final projects.

The collective show presented thesis work of students from seven undergraduate departments of PIFD namely textile design, leather accessories and footwear, furniture design and manufacture, fashion design, fashion marketing and merchandising, ceramics and glass design and gems and jewellery design.

The distinctive products displayed by the PIFD students attracted a large number of stakeholders on a daily basis. Families also took great interest in the products on display. Prominent figures from the corporate sector took exceptional interest in the work of students whose products don’t seem inferior to any branded goods. Other guests included foreigners, senior officials and students.

Visitors explored the gallery of each department while the students elaborated the concepts behind their products to them.

The products were diverse in nature which not only depicted the needs of the industry but also highlighted the essence of such academic programmes.

Sumaira Khan Lodhi from the fashion design department says her work titled “Gautama and Infinite Green Valley Gandhara civilisation” is inspired from an ancient kingdom located in the Peshawar Valley. The region had a unique blend of cultures and was a hub of trade, which led to the development of a distinct art style that reflects the influence of Greek, Roman, and Indian traditions.

Alisha Tariq Khan of gems and jewellery department says her work “Shikargah” refers to visual depiction of imperial hunting ground and landscape.

Samia Mirza from department of textile says her work “Marwari” focuses on the vibrant Marwari culture and their centuries-old traditions.

Hamza Mushtaq from department of leather accessories and footwear commenting on his work titled “Mushrooms” says his thesis explores the integration of mushroom textures as ornamentation in a design collection, inspired by the intricacies of nature. Aleeza Channa of department of furniture and design about her thesis “Sindhi Culture” says the Sindhi culture is famous for its diversity and fine craftsmanship. The objective of the thesis project is to promote the culture of Sindh in today’s contemporary era, and in the current furniture industry through Sindhi handicrafts by merging them with the architecture in contemporary lifestyle to alter how people view decoration and its significance in the 21st century.

Bakhtawar Asif from department of ceramics and glass design says her project “The Alhambra Palace” is aiming to the revival of ceramic incense burners. The project is inspired by the Spanish Alhambra Palace. The project centers around the embellishments from the majestic Alhambra Palace, focusing on the art of decoration and functionality.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2023