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Designer Hussain Rehar has clarified that the name of his latest collection — Parday Ke Peechay — does not have any religious undertones or symbolism. The word pardah can mean both a veil or covering as well as a curtain and he says his collection was meant to translate to “Behind the Curtain”.

Controversy arose after the Lahore-based designer unveiled his latest collection, which included a photo of a woman wearing a head covering with her belly bared.

The photos were initially titled “Parday Ke Peechay”. In his response post on his personal Instagram account, he included the same picture.

“First and foremost, I want to clarify that this collection is purely an expression of art and fashion, and it was never intended to be associated with any religious aspects. The name ‘Parday ke Peechay’ was chosen to signify ‘Behind the Curtain,’ the aim is to showcase the chaos and hard work that goes on behind the scenes to create something new and beautiful,” he wrote. “It was never meant to reference the concept of a veil or any religious symbolism and it draws inspiration from the fashion trends of the 90s, allowing for a unique expression of one’s fashion vocabulary.”

He included in his explanation post several photos of models posing with head coverings — including Indian actors Rekha, Aishwarya Rai and Sridevi.

“My primary objective with this collection is to represent Pakistan’s rich fashion heritage and celebrate the country’s creativity and artistry. I aspire to showcase Pakistan’s cultural diversity not only at the national level but also in the global fashion world. By blending elements from the past with a contemporary touch, I hope to contribute positively to the global fashion landscape,” he said.

“I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has shown interest and support in my work. I believe that fashion is a powerful form of self-expression, and I’m thrilled to share my creative vision with all of you.”