Fashion Parade marches on

Pakistani designers to showcase collections at event on June 11 in London

KARACHI: As Pakistani fashion designers took centre stage at The Kensington Palace last year, they’re once again set to showcase their creations at Fashion Parade 2015, which is scheduled to be held at Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, London on June 11, according to a press release.

This year’s designer line-up includes a host of budding and established designers, including Ali Xeeshan, Sehr Tareen, Rani Emaan, Rema, Hira Shah, Ariba Asif and Syeda Amera. Apart from these, the event will feature international designers Rose Room Couture By Aashni and co and Jyoti Chandok.

Yousaf Bashir Qureshi (YBQ), previously announced as part of the designers to feature at the event, told The Express Tribune he will not be able to attend the showcase, citing unforeseen circumstances. “YBQ couldn’t participate due to personal reasons. We were happy to represent him and, hopefully, will in the future,” said Sadia Siddiqui, CEO of Mustang Productions, the event’s organiser.

A representative quoted Siddiqui as saying that Nomi Ansari is expected to replace YBQ. “We’ve always loved Nomi and since hes’s available on the event’s dates, we’re delighted to have him on board,” she stated.

On being a part of Fashion Parade, Xeeshan told us, “I’m excited to go to London. I’m going to make my debut there. There should be a good audience to see the Fashion Parade.” Of the yet untitled collection he will showcase at the event, he shared, “It reflects my signature style, which is vibrant. It’s about Pakistan. So far, it’s very colorful. The cuts are modern, high-street and fashion-forward … They’ll be for the woman of today.”

The event, which is expected to be attended by members of the business, fashion and media fraternities, promises a guest appearance by Pakistan’s first-ever model for Burberry, five-year-old Laila Naim. Commenting on the event, which is her brainchild, Siddiqui stated in a press release, “I want to bring the world of Asian fashion to the capital and show the wonders of Asian design. It’s important and close to my heart to show another side of Asian culture to Europe.”

Faiza Samee opened the show last year with a distinctly bohemian collection, followed by Ayesha Hashwani, Sehr Tareen, Zara Shahjahan and Nazneen Tariq. Apart from them, Nomi Ansari closed the event with his metallic collection from last year’s Fashion Pakistan Week.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 29^th,  2015.

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