Ensemble: Of fashion and fundraisers

Ensemble took the initiative to make people spend for the flood victims.

A good deed goes a long way, and in keeping with this view of goodwill, the team of Ensemble brought Vogue’s concept of ‘Fashion Night Out’ to Pakistan. They encouraged guests to indulge in retail therapy by purchasing designer outfits of which five per cent of sale proceeds will be channelled towards the Relief Outreach Program — Pakistan to aid flood victims.

Hidden away in the suburbs of Defence, Ensemble is a designer flagship store which stocks pret and bridal wear from renowned Pakistani and Indian designers. The fashion fundraiser hosted on October 5 saw the creme de la creme of the fashion industry flocking to Ensemble. While Sana Safinaz requested all the proceeds of their five select outfits to be given for charity, Umar Sayeed had put a 20 per cent discount on his collection to tempt customers. The event was attended by fashionistas and socialites alike, including designers Nazneen Tariq and Sadaf Malaterre, photographer Amean J, television presenter Saima Mohsin and media personalities like Tehmina Khaled, Mohsin Sayeed and Shahnaz Ramzi.

Whilst interacting with socialites, with music playing in the background, jewellery designer and socialite Nazneen Tariq remarked, “This is a very clever initiative taken to make people spend, people aren’t really charitable unless it is thrust upon them”.

Ensemble also accommodates a salon on its first floor which is run by well-trained staff, who originally worked for make-up artist Mubashir Khan. Shehrnaz Husain, the Managing Director at Ensemble revealed, “We were frequent visitors at Mubashir’s salon and were attached to his staff. After he migrated to the UK, we offered them the opportunity to work for us.” The salon, running over a year now, offered free of cost quick treatments such as head massages and nail polish touch-ups to the guests at the event.

Ensemble will, now, also be sharing its confines with Xander’s Cafe, which will be launching later this month. The eclectic cafe is owned by Sikandar Rizvi — the son of Florence, who runs Cafe Flo. Guests also got the opportunity to try out sumptuous canapes and cocktails which were being served to them by the management of Xander’s cafe, while they flocked around designer outfits. Although Rizvi saved his words for the launch of his cafe, he did however mention, “I’m thrilled to be working with the Ensemble team. Their thinking is in line with my thinking and I’m sure that we’ll work really work together.”

The concept of all-under-one-roof stores is relatively new in Pakistan and Creative Director at Ensemble Shezray Husain elucidated, “These days people are pressed for time and prefer to multitask, hence our aim was to provide services where soon-to-be brides can come to shop, get pampered at our salon and also enjoy delectable food at the same time.” Renowned stylist Saba Ansari, owner of Sabs salon, excitedly remarked, “This place is lovely. Everything is under one roof. You can shop, relax and eat at one place.”

One hopes that more generous initiatives are taken to aid the underprivileged in our country. About their event, Shezray revealed to The Express Tribune, “Our in house version of Fashion’s Night Out was also in line with our vision to explore international trends. The response was heartening and we were delighted to have hosted this affair for a good cause.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2011.