‘Ethical’ high-end fashion

Fashion ComPassion: a clothing line with a conscience.

KARACHI:

The UK-based fashion house Fashion ComPassion claims to be “an ethical fashion company, which seeks to promote social change through high fashion”. Ayesha Mustafa, the Pakistani lady behind the show, brings together brands from the developing world to empower women and create a positive impact in marginalised communities and their respective societies. The brands hail from countries in Central Asia, Africa the Middle East and now South Asia too.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Mustafa said that she started this business venture in November 2010 “partly because I was always interested in fashion. Secondly, having worked for charity based organisations where I have often volunteered, Grameen Bank for one, I wanted to help make these women more financially independent.”

Mustafa is currently working with four social enterprises: Beshtar, Palestyle, Polly & Me and Numa.

“These social enterprises work towards enriching the lives of women. I am dealing with merchandise from places like Afghanistan for example, where Beshtar is based. Likewise, Polly & Me comes from Pakistan, Palestyle from Palestine and Numa from Tunisia. Though these women have talent and are creative, they are not empowered. We are giving them a platform to project their skills, so that even if they leave the company tomorrow, they will still be able to earn a livelihood. It is just a small step, but I hope it takes off as a concept and is accepted here in Pakistan,” Mustafa said.

Mustafa claims fashion is just not about wearing nice stuff: “It goes beyond the world of glitz and glamour, it is about social change. I myself want to create awareness about this new concept and bring about a change. Fashion can be a catalyst for change. The big designers here in Pakistan should also think along these lines, and not just get roped into minting big bucks.”

Mustafa’s efforts are garnering attention in the international press. While Colin Firth was busy getting all the praise for his acting skills in The King’s Speech, his wife Livia Firth was busy admiring Mustafa’s venture. Livia donned a green Beshtar outfit that came all the way from Afghanistan to attend the Vogue Pre-Bafta Dinner Party in London and wore it to the Oscars as well.

For Mustafa though, the sky’s the limit.

“I am in the process of expanding the company by launching Fashion ComPassion Baby, a baby clothing line,” said Mustafa.

She also plans to expand her market by taking Fashion ComPassion to the next level: “I plan to sell my stuff online and take part in trade shows.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th, 2011.