Why is everyone going crazy for Khar?

Khar’s classic black Hermes’ Birkin could cost anything above $10,000-$15,000, her Roberto Cavalli shades cost over $500 and the Jimmy Choos over $900, according to Indian news agency IANS.

Maheen Khan, who has dressed political icons like Benazir Bhutto, believes fashion is secondary when it comes to political figures, but the designer is all praise for Khar. “For me, Hina Rabbani Khar is a prime example of a woman who knows how to dress according to her profession,” she said.

Another leading designer Huma Adnan admits that Khar, whose three-day trip to India concluded on July 28, is one of the most stylish politicians in Pakistan, but finds it strange that so much talk in India has centred around her clothes.

“She is a public figure with a very conservative and neat look. Her sense of using the right accessories makes her different from other politicians. But the fact that she wears high-end brands should not be a topic of discussion,” said Adnan.

When Khar landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport, India, for talks with her Indian counterpart SM Krishna, her blue ensemble, teamed with a simple string of pearls, oversized handbag and fashionable sunglasses caught the attention of many.

A post-graduate in hospitality and tourism from the University of Massachusetts, Khar has her roots in a wealthy feudal family of southern Punjab. In past appearances across the border, she has been spotted sporting bags from luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada and Salvatore Ferragamo.


Khar likes subdued, yet stylish dressing — something she proved with the cream ensemble she wore during India-Pakistan talks in New Delhi.

Fashion critic Aamna Isani, from Karachi, feels proud that Indians are lauding Khar’s dress sense.

“It’s good to know that a Pakistani leader is emerging as a style icon. The last fashion icon we had was Benazir Bhutto, who represented a perfect mixture of style and grace,” says Isani. “But many Pakistan leaders, from Mohammad Ali Jinnah to Bhutto, have been very stylish and fashion-conscious — so why fuss over Khar’s style?” she asks.

Amir Adnan believes that “Pakistani leaders are making fashion statements, but should really be making political statements”. However, the designer is appreciative of their fashion sense. “Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pervez Musharraf, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Imran Khan — all of them are extremely stylish. As for the women, Hina Rabbani Khar, Benazir Bhutto, Maleeha Lodhi and Sherry Rehman are stylish to the core.”

Contrary to Adnan, Shamaeel Ansari believes the country’s male politicians need fashion advice. “Hina Rabbani Khar has turned out well. But the male politicians of Pakistan really need to go to designers,” said Ansari.

Across the border, Indian designer Anjalee Kapoor supported the young minister. “No one has the right to comment on the accessories Khar wore. It’s her personal style. As long as she can afford it, everything should be fine. It hardly matters if Pakistan is a poverty-stricken state. She belongs to a well-off family,” said Kapoor.

Another Indian designer Pam Mehta said that Khar looked extremely graceful in her kurta and pants, “and kept in tune with the traditional look and workmanship with fine embroidery and an extremely fresh colour palette. The accessorising was subdued and controlled with the subtlety of white pearls and a classic Birkin in black and sophisticated black shoes. Her look was not overstated, and was overall very sophisticated.”

Though Khar returned to Pakistan this week, she continues to be a topic of discussion for many Indians on Twitter who have been reacting strongly to the 34-year-old’s exclusive choice of accessories .

(WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM IANS)

Published in The Express Tribune, July 30^th,  2011.