Fashion collection: Mariam merges elegance with economy

The designer exhibits her summer-fresh designs.

Islamabad’s own Mariam Pasha exhibited her spring/summer women’s collection here on Saturday and Sunday.

The collection featured a lot of neon and bright colours with detailed finishing in just pleats, pin tucks and glamorous cuts; adapted into long kameezes to be worn with churidaar pajamas and trousers. Pasha said she firmly believes in using what she has learnt while studying fashion and tries to fuse it with eastern wear as much as she can.

She said she loves being back in her city, adding that her collection caters to regular customers who are working women and have no time to run from tailors to lace walas and dyers.

People poured in to see Pasha’s limited collection but those who came on Sunday complained of there not being enough pieces in their sizes. To them she said she likes making a few pieces and not repeating them. Besides, she was not expecting such an “overwhelming response” so late in the season.

Pasha graduated in fashion design eight years ago and has been working in women’s wear ever since. She primarily works out of her home, catering mostly to a foreign clientele, after having spent three years in the UK.

Mariana, visiting Pakistan from Dubai, said, “I love Pakistani fashion but find it hard to find party wear and tops to wear with leggings. But I found two very glam chiffon tops which I can wear on dinners and parties in Islamabad as well as back in Dubai.”

The collection consists of simple kurtas and shirts with little or no embroidery. The emphasis is on the cuts and design, revolving around panels and pleats. There was a lot of colour on display from corals to lime greens, keeping in line with the current international fashion trends.

Pasha’s price range was relatively low and affordable, with lawn panelled long shirts starting at just Rs2,000.

Shazia, who was buying the designer’s outfit for the first time, praised the collection for its freshness and elegance. She pointed out the price range of such quality and workmanship was a big attraction for the cost-conscious buyer.

“The market is stocked with pricy stuff but the designing is so similar, it is hard to pick out something unique and delectable,” said Rahman, who was visiting from abroad. She added that she was taking with her a couple of “delightful outfits” for her college-going daughters.

Shazia Bilal, a lawyer, praised the “cool elegance” of Pasha’s semi-formal wear.

Diplomats, expats, wives of ambassadors, socialites and many working women came out in the sweltering heat to buy pieces from the prêt line all Saturday and Sunday.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2011.