A leap further into fashion

Designer Natasha Kamal takes the plunge and stocks at FPL to cater to bold and experimental Karachiites.

KARACHI:

After gaining a foothold in the Lahore market, designer Natasha Kamal has spread her wings to showcase her offerings at the Fashion Pakistan Lounge (FPL) in Karachi. Speaking to The Express Tribune ahead of the launch that was scheduled to take place Friday evening, she divulged details of her bespoke designs, made for the bold and experimental fashionistas of Karachi.

“FPL has a very good footfall from Karachi alone and I felt this is going to be a good place to begin from,” she said about opting to stock at the multidesigner store. Earlier this year, she began to house her pieces at FPL in Lahore.



Drawing inspiration from the timeless designs of Sana Safinaz and Élan on the local front, Kamal holds a deep liking for their intricate designs, light detailing and prints. Experimenting with a diverse colour palette is a major part of Kamal’s aesthetics. “When I design, my eyes are on colours, colour-blocking and light detailing. These are things I get most inspired by.”

With prêt being her primary focus, Kamal has plans of venturing into luxury day-wear in the future. Deconstructing her stylistic preferences, she shared, “My style revolves around transitional pieces. They’re simple in design and suited for a smart-casual look.” She holds that there are varied perceptions towards dressing up in Pakistan and in the West. “There’s a concept of wearing a different pair of clothes for every occasion in Pakistan, which isn’t the case in Western countries.”



Kamal enjoys giving a touch of fusion to her outfits. “Devising the cuts and silhouettes has been the most challenging and interesting aspect of making an outfit,” she said. “There’s a fine line between making understated pieces and going overboard but I enjoy experimenting with fusion apparel more than anything else.”

On how local fashion has evolved over the years, Kamal feels people have become more open to taking risks in terms of their sartorial choices. “People have now become more responsive and daring. They are ready to take fashion risks, especially on the red carpet and understand the know-how of making a statement,” she noted. “Our society has definitely changed for the better but one needs to know how to set the tone for one’s personal fashion,” she added.



Kamal earned an undergraduate degree in Law and Accounting at Royal Holloway in London but fashion eventually pivoted her towards becoming a full-fledged designer. “Initially, I learned the tricks of the trade and it was after experimenting with designs that I launched my label,” she stated. “From fashion illustrations to creating the final product, it’s all about creating something from scratch. Creating the final product is what drew me the most towards fashion.”



Speaking about the changing course of social media, Kamal said it has opened doors for budding entrepreneurs who are trying to make a mark for themselves. “With the help of social media, everything is now a click away. This is not just the case with fashion designers but others as well. Everything has changed over a short span of time because of easy access and exposure,” she added. Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th,  2015.

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