Spring at Block Seven
Block Seven is Anoushey Ashraf’s family business, partnered with her two sisters Natasha Qizilbash and Alizeh Ashraf.
KARACHI:
After the fashion brand’s launch with its autumn collection, the second exhibition of Block Seven started on Thursday, April 7, at the Forum in Karachi.
Block Seven is VJ Anoushey Ashraf’s family business, partnered with her two sisters Natasha Qizilbash and Alizeh Ashraf.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Anoushey said: “It’s an exhibition of our spring/summer western wear collection 2011. It’s the second exhibition in Karachi. Earlier, we were in Lahore exhibiting this collection and the response was just great.” When asked whether there was a difference in the clientele, Ashraf said: “People in Lahore dress better than the Karachiites, I guess”. But why only western wear? “We wanted to bring forth western wear with a touch of Pakistani sensibility to it. With lawn happening everywhere, there was no better idea than to launch a brand which offers tops at an affordable price.”
Talking about her move from the entertainment industry to the fashion business, Anoushey said: “Everybody who is somebody on television wants to diversify, which is good. First, I wanted to venture out. Second, there were business reasons attached to it and thirdly there is a dire need for such a clothing line, which is easily accessible and affordable for everyone.”
Talking about her business philosophy, Anoushey said: “There are designers that look into eastern wear but I am not a designer. I want to launch a brand.”
Anoushey maintained that cost effectiveness is Block Seven’s unique selling point: “I need to shop every day and affordable is the first thing that comes to my mind. To shop for a western outfit, sadly, Karachi offers only two outlets and there is no third place to go. With Block Seven, it’s ready-to-wear and daily wear stuff that one can grab at a reasonable price.”
Sharing more details of the project, Natasha Qizilbash said: “We are offering garments online to our clients through Facebook, and the sales have been phenomenal! People have placed their orders from the Gulf region, as well as the UK and the US. We are also facilitating our clients through customer care services. From tagging the outfit to delivering it, we are doing our best. “
Qizilbash further stated: “Almost every other outfit that you pick is a free size, except for just a few. But for party wear, one will find every size readily available.”
Spotted at the event was television personality Kiran Fulton who said: “There is a lot that I like here. The rates are just perfect, not too low, or too high.”
Brand ambassadors for the label, besides Anoushey, are VJ Ayesha Omar and model Hira Tareen. “They both are good friends and great faces for the brand,” said Anoushey
“This is what I call fun, young and trendy wear,” she added.
The tops are priced between Rs1,000 and Rs4,000 — the exhibition will continue till Sunday, April 10.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 8th, 2011.
After the fashion brand’s launch with its autumn collection, the second exhibition of Block Seven started on Thursday, April 7, at the Forum in Karachi.
Block Seven is VJ Anoushey Ashraf’s family business, partnered with her two sisters Natasha Qizilbash and Alizeh Ashraf.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Anoushey said: “It’s an exhibition of our spring/summer western wear collection 2011. It’s the second exhibition in Karachi. Earlier, we were in Lahore exhibiting this collection and the response was just great.” When asked whether there was a difference in the clientele, Ashraf said: “People in Lahore dress better than the Karachiites, I guess”. But why only western wear? “We wanted to bring forth western wear with a touch of Pakistani sensibility to it. With lawn happening everywhere, there was no better idea than to launch a brand which offers tops at an affordable price.”
Talking about her move from the entertainment industry to the fashion business, Anoushey said: “Everybody who is somebody on television wants to diversify, which is good. First, I wanted to venture out. Second, there were business reasons attached to it and thirdly there is a dire need for such a clothing line, which is easily accessible and affordable for everyone.”
Talking about her business philosophy, Anoushey said: “There are designers that look into eastern wear but I am not a designer. I want to launch a brand.”
Anoushey maintained that cost effectiveness is Block Seven’s unique selling point: “I need to shop every day and affordable is the first thing that comes to my mind. To shop for a western outfit, sadly, Karachi offers only two outlets and there is no third place to go. With Block Seven, it’s ready-to-wear and daily wear stuff that one can grab at a reasonable price.”
Sharing more details of the project, Natasha Qizilbash said: “We are offering garments online to our clients through Facebook, and the sales have been phenomenal! People have placed their orders from the Gulf region, as well as the UK and the US. We are also facilitating our clients through customer care services. From tagging the outfit to delivering it, we are doing our best. “
Qizilbash further stated: “Almost every other outfit that you pick is a free size, except for just a few. But for party wear, one will find every size readily available.”
Spotted at the event was television personality Kiran Fulton who said: “There is a lot that I like here. The rates are just perfect, not too low, or too high.”
Brand ambassadors for the label, besides Anoushey, are VJ Ayesha Omar and model Hira Tareen. “They both are good friends and great faces for the brand,” said Anoushey
“This is what I call fun, young and trendy wear,” she added.
The tops are priced between Rs1,000 and Rs4,000 — the exhibition will continue till Sunday, April 10.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 8th, 2011.