Pakistani politician, Hina Butt with designs on India

Hina feels improving trade between India and Pakistan can give a boost to the fashion industry in both countries

LAHORE: She's a member of the Punjab assembly. And she has a fashion label of her own - Teena. She also believes India is a great market for Pakistan-designed labels.

Hina Butt feels improving trade between India and Pakistan can give a boost to the fashion industry in both countries. "I think both governments should make trade between the two countries a smooth affair," Butt told IANS when asked about the one thing that she would want the government to help the design fraternity with.

PHOTO: FACEBOOK TEENA - HINA BUTT

IANS caught up with Hina as she was participating as a designer in the eighth edition of PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week 2015 - a four-day mega fashion gala, which started on April 18.

The designer feels that with campaigns like Aman ki Asha - a joint initiative by one leading media house each from India and Pakistan to improve diplomatic and cultural relations between the two nations -- the situation is becoming better gradually.

PHOTO: FACEBOOK TEENA - HINA BUTT

"I think that with programmes like Aman ki Asha, many things have started, I can see celebrities going to and fro and spreading the message of peace. As a common citizen, I would love to have open trade (with India), but especially so because I am a designer."

Butt said the Pakistan government of Nawaz Sharif was in favour of such opening up and was doing a good job about it. The 30-year-old, who has been a member of the Punjab assembly since 2013, says that given an opportunity, she would love to showcase her creations in India someday, as most of her clients in Dubai happen to be Indians.

PHOTO: FACEBOOK TEENA - HINA BUTT

"I think people in India love Pakistani designs. India is a great market for us and I think we should definitely focus on it and do maximum business from there," said the designer, herself a big fan of Bollywood stars Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor who would love to design for them one day.

"I have started stocking (my designs) in Dubai. I have seen a lot of Pakistani cuts are loved by Indians. Similarly, I did an exhibition once or twice there (in Dubai) and it was sold out, so I think Indian market can be a very good opportunity,"she added.

At PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week 2015, her collection, under her label Teena by Hina Butt, was titled Suzandozi. With focus on colourful needlework, the collection was inspired by Suzani, a textile technique from Uzbekistan.

PHOTO: IANS

With clean cutlines, the collection comprised of crop tops, volume gowns, straight printed pants, embroidered kurtas, skirts and digitally printed dresses.

Hina launched her label in November 2010 and has since established a distinct brand presence in an increasingly competitive industry under the philosophy of delivering luxury formal, semi-formal and bridal wear for fashion consumers in Pakistan and overseas.

Politics aside, Hina knows how to rock the runway with her designs, here's what her Twitter fans had to say about her work at PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week 2015:

One of my favourite designer #HinaButt of #Teena . Always showcases fun wearable clothes on the… https://t.co/djSP5mNppo

— Momin Ali Munshi (@mominalimunshi) April 23, 2015

Lovely collection #HinaButt at #PSFW15 http://t.co/mQPesVrPo2

— AS (@StyleStripped) April 19, 2015