Designers join hands with Citizens Archive of Pakistan to showcase ‘History Collection’

LAHORE: With their aim to instill pride in Pakistanis about their heritage, Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP) taps into different parts of society with new-fangled projects. Their latest undertaking is a project titled ‘Product CAP’ —in collaboration with fashion designers HSY, Deepak Perwani, Mahgul, Mahin Hussain, Polly & Me and K for Karachi. Each of the six designers will give their own interpretation to material chosen from CAP’s archives and make limited-edition pieces as part of their ‘History Collection’. The collections will be showcased in an exhibition on August 3 in Karachi.

Deepak Perwani

He has created a scarf inspired by the nightlife of Karachi in the 70’s. “We thought we’d take inspiration from the happening city that Karachi used to be so we’ve taken shots of the nightclubs, cinema posters and culminated it into a loud screaming kitsch scarf.” Perwani has often paid ode to the city of Karachi through his designs, previously with his ‘Fix It’ collection for PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week.

Mahgul

The designer will be using images as prints on canvas to create distinct clutches. “We’ll be looking at Iznik and Suzani patterns in embroidery and juxtapose them on top of photographs from CAP’s archives.” For her debut capsule collection in 2013, the designer also used old photographs from the Civil and Military Gazette for inspiration, re-printing them onto denim, satin and organza so it will be interesting to see how her design acumen has grown in three years.

Mahin Hussain

Mahin Hussain never fails to put out an Independence Day line of handbags. This year, along with her mainstays that include the sequined flag handbag and the rupee note clutch, she will also be making a line inspired by old Pakistani advertisements. “The ads are being redone to inspire wit and I’ve tackled them in a very 1960’s retro feel,” says Hussain.

Polly and other stories

The brand has created a hand-embroidered clutch with leather back and trim using artwork from seven vintage matchboxes collaged together. “We are obsessed with stories of makers, designers, entrepreneurs, artisans and products! Matchbox cover art globally is extremely transcendent when it comes to depicting the mood and trends of a particular time and place and so it was the perfect choice for us,” said Angela Braid. “These little time capsules covered remarkable subjects — historical, political, and commercial events that showcase the way people lived and the places of entertainment and business they frequented.”

K for Karachi

Khaula Jamil, a photographer by profession has been using photographs she’s taken herself and converting them into jewellery pieces since her brand started out. Therefore, CAP’s initiative fit in well with her brand philosophy. “I used images, old postage stamps and flyers and converted them into a limited edition jewellery line,” she shares. Her line includes about 30 pieces of tops, cufflinks, pendants and bracelets.

HSY

“We are taking inspiration from the currency used before partition and juxtaposing it with new age cinema and celebrities which we find very interesting,” shares brand manager Anusheh Shahid. Shahid continues, “Our focus is the promotion of Pakistan so we are taking the past and bringing it to the future in terms of cinema.” HSY’s store in Dolmen Mall will be hosting the final exhibition.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2016.

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