The price tag for Muse’s shirts ranges from Rs24,000 to Rs26,000. PHOTO: PUBLICITY
After bemusing many with their semi-formal, formal and bridal-wear for women, it seemed like the natural next step for Muse to venture into menswear. Co-owned by designer Faryal Aftab, the brand recently launched its ‘Muse Man’ line, housing a limited number of formal outfits for men.
“We decided to launch menswear because we were receiving so many requests from clients, including celebrities and stylists. Fawad Khan’s wife was one of the people who asked me to do this,” Aftab told The Express Tribune at the launch.
‘Muse Man’ comprised seven to eight designs, featuring the brand’s signature embellishments with a classic colour palette ranging from blue to grey to black. “Our offerings have prints of seahorses, clouds, galaxies and the solar system on them and are everything a man would feel comfortable wearing,” explained Aftab.
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On the inspiration behind the collection, Aftab stated, “I would imagine a dapper man going to a party at night wearing something attractive and completely different. This is why I put together this collection.” Mindful of the apprehension a man would face when wearing a heavily embellished outfit, she said she has kept the embellishments and colours understated so that whoever wears them feels comfortable.
The collection caters to men aged between 20 and 45. Tilting towards the steep side, the price tag for the shirts ranges from Rs24,000 to Rs26,000. But Aftab has devised the collection on the suave man of today, who “is stylish and allocates a budget for his shoes, pants and belts, and wants to look good overall.”
Known for its clean cuts and unusual embellishments, Muse claims to be the only fashion label that always uses imported Italian and French fabric. “We purchase materials from the same outlets that Chanel, Valentino and Dior buy their cloth from. Plus, our menswear has been designed keeping international standards in mind,” stated Aftab.
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She revealed that the team behind the brand is gearing up to introduce a variety of pieces for men, such as trousers and ties. “We will gradually introduce more clothing because we want to do justice to each design. Currently, we have a lot on our plate with orders for women’s-wear and don’t want to do anything in a hurry,” she added.
On whom she would imagine as the faces of Muse. Aftab said she has a long list but would imagine the likes of Adrian Brody, Justin Timberlake and Fawad Khan donning the brand’s outfits. The Muse Man collection is currently exhibited at the Galleria store in Lahore but will also be stocked in other cities, including Karachi, where the team is working towards opening a store.
The design house espouses a strong brand identity with a heavy French influence since Aftab’s childhood was spent in France, which she frequently travels to. “On my mood board for this collection, I have drawn inspiration from pictures of French actor Louis Garel, a lizard made of crystals, a picture of beautiful shoes and a woman in a sheer shirt. We keep similar moods for our different collections so that they reflect our distinct style,” she said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 14th, 2015.
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