Sporting the game

SanaSafinaz and Satrangi launch special edition World Cup shirts in the hope to lift spirits.

KARACHI:

With the World Cup enveloping the nation in full-swing, the Pakistani fashion industry has decided to assimilate the sport with fashion. Brands, such as  SanaSafinaz and Bonanza’s Satrangi, have also aimed to elevate the spirits of cricket devotees by building a collection around the World Cup phenomenon.

SanaSafinaz

The duo has launched summer-wear lawn fabric inspired World Cup Special Edition fashion shirts. Safinaz Muneer says, “Personally, I’m not really a fan of cricket but my entire family and in-laws are crazy about it.”



The designer duo was approached initially by Ten Sports to design sports-inspired shirts, which they did. “Yes, this is our first time crafting cricket designs. We were approached by Ten Sports, and agreed because, without a doubt, it was a great idea.”

Since we are quite prone to losing matches on the field, it is imperative to keep the cricket fever stifling within Pakistani fans on the fashion front. To that, Muneer says, “There is an inherent love for cricket in the blood of all Pakistanis despite the losses and failures. Therefore, it doesn’t really matter; the Pakistani team will always be loved.”

A strong believer in the idea of Pakistan bringing home the World Cup, Muneer doesn’t indulge in a defeatist mind-frame. “I am confident we are going to win this year. There is no point having a pessimistic attitude. Our cricket kurtas are meant to instil a positive mind-set,” the designer asserts. The fabric used to create the kurtas is pure lawn. “It’s going to get hotter as the matches progress, so the lawn will be perfect for summertime,” she says.

Bonanza’s Satrangi

Bonanza’s Satrangi has gone green in support for the Pakistani team and cricket enthusiasts. Hanif Bilwani, CEO Bonanza is an ardent fan of the sport. “I am incredibly passionate about cricket and especially support Pakistan’s team. Whether it is a test match or one day, I keep a track of it, no matter where I am.”

Narrating the idea behind his new collection of shirts, he says, “Satrangi, as a brand, aims to be very close to a woman’s heart and yearns to celebrate every special day avidly.”

Since its launch, the brand has intended to assimilate a sense of local cultural celebration. From August 14, when the brand introduced a it’s “chand taara” print to Sindh cultural day by giving the “ajrak” print a new face to the World Cup prints — the brand’s goal remains to maintain a sense of festivity.”

Satrangi

On how he manages to communicate the cricket craze through his designs if the team doesn’t win, Bilwani elaborates, “Hope is something that one should never lose. With the Pakistani team, especially, they always win when it’s least expected of them and that’s what we hope this time around.”  He added, “By crafting out a collection, we intend to trigger patriotic feelings by showing consumers that we support their sports spirit. Cricket unites us and this is what Satrangi supports —  unity.”

On his preference of fabric, he says, “The fabric really depends on the weather. This year, it’s the end of winter and beginning of summer, hence it had to be lawn and that, too, wrinkle-free —  making our World-Cup-special prêt wear stand out as well as wearable.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th,  2015.

Like Life & Style on Facebook, follow @ETLifeandStyle on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.