Model cum designer Vaneeza Ahmed Ali has launched her V Lawn collection at Dynasty, near Two Swords in Karachi. With the launch Ali completes six years in fashion design.
Talking about the use of various fabrics like chiffon with lawn, Ali said: “It’s not 100 per cent pure chiffon. In some cases, we have offered mixed chiffon fabric too.”
While middle-aged Marzia Hussain did not like the quality of chiffon, young Nazia Nasir appreciated the offerings that featured embroidery. “It is very nice and surely has a summery feel,” said Nasir.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Ali said: “This time, my design philosophy is set forth keeping international trends in mind. I have gone traditional with an international flavour.I have named each print, for instance the ‘Tapas’ is inspired from Africa, ‘Anarkali’ from the Mughal era, ‘Ferro’ from Italy and so on.”
The brand has set its price range between Rs2,650 and Rs4,150, which is higher compared to its previous prices. Rationalising the price points, Ali said: “Look, the floods struck the Punjab in 2010 and virtually destroyed the cotton crop, so much so, that I had to rely on importing cotton for my prints to bring the collection this year. Prices have escalated because there has been an increase in cotton prices. There has been up to 50 per cent price increase in cotton, in the embroidery thread and printing of the fabric too. Earlier, the factories [and mills] used to print large quantities of cotton lawn, but this wasn’t the case this time.”
Ali has emphasised on floral designs like always but the prints are smaller this time. She has also introduced unconventional animal prints, adding a different touch to the collection. “I haven’t done any cheetah or leopard prints this year, instead I have brought on butterflies and snakes” said Ali.
Believing that embroidery can be styled in any manner, Ali has given the option for customising in terms of positioning of the embroidered piece.
Celebrating her sixth year in the design industry, Ali is now offering three different styles of bags and 10 different styles of flat shoes at the exhibition.
This, she says, is not a soft launch of the accessories but asserts: “I am testing the market. Bags are there but if you look around except for diamantes shoes/heels, nothing is available in the shoe shops. I think flats look best with a lawn suit that and oh, no more of those diamantes.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 9th, 2011.
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