It doesn’t get any better than this —11 countries, 40 regional and international designers from the South Asian and the Middle East region and an event hosted by a distinguished brand with a glittering history going back 120 years. The diverse group of designers was commissioned by Swarovski Professional to incorporate crystals into their design element in four categories; namely bridal wear, ethnic wear, evening wear and modest wear as well as statement jewellery and accessory pieces. It was all played out at the Madinat Arena Ballroom with a fashion installation featuring innovative techniques of display and lighting to further accentuate the cuts and structure.
While the Dubai exhibition remains a far cry from similar attempts in Pakistan and no parallels can be drawn between both, Pakistan did manage to stand out head and shoulders above the rest of the competition in terms of sheer ingenuity in design, detailing and craftsmanship. It was one of the far-in between moments when Pakistanis could stand tall with their heads held high while soaking up adulation and accolades for a job well done.
Here, Images on Sunday takes cue from the designers who did us proud as a nation — Maria B, Elan by Khadija Shah, Tena Durrani, Faraz Manan and Fahad Hussayn and Saira Shakira — and analyses five reasons why Pakistan perseveres when it comes to the fashion design industry.
Pakistani designers rule
There can be no doubt about it: the evolution of design and the fine-tuned aesthetics of our fashion designers has always enabled Pakistan to put its best foot forward whenever it has stepped into the international arena. On home turf many moons ago, celebrated couturier Rizwan Beyg did his countrymen proud by presenting a collection made entirely of the understated newar at the Carnivale de Couture; just as Sana Safinaz stole the show from right under the very noses of the visiting Indian counterparts with the label’s hallmark understated elegance and finesse.
Pakistan boasts of some of the region’s leading names in couture and it accounts for easy pickings when a renowned international brand comes shopping to celebrate 120 years with the likes of a Sparkling Couture exhibition in Dubai. We Pakistanis have the best on offer and likewise offer the best.
Among the many landmarks that the Sparkling Couture exhibition achieved in Dubai last week was to herald and establish Pakistan as a major player in the global fashion arena, writes Faisal Quraishi