PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI: Renowned fashion designer and local couture king Hassan Sheheryar Yasin — popularly known as HSY — has been around for decades but his latest work project is one that will surely get everyone talking. He has kicked off a new programme to help differently-abled artists of NOWPDP by incorporating their designs into a March 23 (Resolution Day) collection, which will be sold at all HSY stores across Pakistan and online.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, the designer explained how the new venture aims to provide hope to the marginalised and promote inclusion. He also shed light on the time he went blind temporarily due to an accident, following which he has always wanted to give back to the society.
PHOTO: FILE“I’m doing a school almost every week, since the beginning of January. This is my fourth and I just want to let these people know that we are listening. Our children require hope. Here, there is this belief that you need to be coming from a rich background and have a powerful father to do anything but I want to empower them with my story,” HSY shared.
The designer explained how 2020 is his 25th year in the fashion industry and that the venture calling for design submissions is basically just a means to educate others. “This organisation holds a special place in my heart. My mother was an educationalist, so was my nana, and so was his grandfather. In this country, I believe the biggest problem is education.”
PHOTO: FILEHSY added, “With 2030 on its way, we need to be careful because the way technology has progressed from 1985 to now, it is expected to progress with the same pace within these 10 years. This means, that by 2030, technology will have grown so much that 40% of the world’s jobs will become obsolete, except for creative and opinion-based stuff.”
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For the project, HSY explored what March 23 means to the young minds of NOWPDP. The moment he entered, the youngsters held their hands up in the air with joy. Speaking in sign language, the designer expressed what an honour it was for him to be representing their work. He had held classes with them before taking in their submissions and a signer assisted him as each student explained the idea behind their designs. HSY also critiqued their work and returned the submissions that needed improvement.
PHOTO: FILE“To make them is one thing, but to get the audience to buy them is another because to push the strings of a Pakistani consumer into actually buying something for charity is not easy,” HSY explained. When asked about what the process of incorporating these designs would be, he said, “We don’t have the time to weave them, so we will digitally print them onto scarves, shirts, shalwars or something. Then, they will be advertised as a project these guys did and put on sale before March 23. Then from the proceedings of the sales for each of the design, a percentage will go to the designer who made it. This is so their work gets recognised, along with their faces, profiles and contacts, and they can build a clientele.”
According to HSY, Pakistan at present has approximately one fully trained educational instructor for 11,000 students! “We’re not ready to educate,” he said. “Similar ventures are required by those who have the power to pull them off. If I go to a school for teaching, everyone becomes an educationalist. If I go to Prague for a vacation, everyone goes to Prague. If I host a party, next day, everyone is hosting a party. Now, I’m here so please do the honours and follow suit. “
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