National Arts Spectrum: Starting out en vogue

LGCF aims to empower women from disadvantaged segments of the society.

ISLAMABAD:

Roots College International, DHA Phase 1 jumpstarted this year’s National Arts Spectrum themed “A Fusion of Art and Empathy” with a fundraising fashion show held in association with Liberating the Girl Child Foundation (LGCF).

LGCF aims to empower young girls and women from disadvantaged segments of Pakistani society.

In their flood relief initiative this year, they focused on the 4.13 million people that were affected by floods and helped rebuild a school in Omarkot.

The fashion show, Pakistan: The Cradle of Civilization, paralleled Pakistan’s timeline of birth and existence through segments such as Himalayan, Indus Valley, Buddhism, Alexander the Great, Sufism, Mughal and lastly the British era.

Makeup and hair was done free of charge by Sobia Mustafa, who canvassed the models very dramatically.

Headlining designer Zainab Mushtaq’s designs showcased modern wear like flowy kaftans and dresses.

Colours like gold, silver and sea-inspired shades of blue and green ran across the elaborate 50 metre-long stage.

The dominant fabrics used were silk and chiffon, as opposed to the more traditional bridal designs of Ali Xeeshan and Rani Emaan, who employed heavier textures from raw silk to velvet.

Ali Xeeshan’s collection showcased an exuberantly colourful palette with purples, pinks and greens, increased by donning his models with festive orange flowers.

Veteran models such as Nadia Hussain, Mehreen Syed and Sofia Mirza received energetic applause from the all-female audience as they towered over the younger Roots schoolgirls, who were all between the ages of thirteen and twenty.

Arooj, a Roots student and one of the girls modelling, commented with excitement, “I couldn’t be more excited about how great this fashion show has been. I was really nervous before the fashion show, but the teachers helped a lot. Two months of hard work has really paid off.”

Zainab Mushtaq herself showed admiration for the students’ unrelenting effort and devotion to not only the LGCF, but also the fashion show.

On the fashion industry, she commented, “I am excited as an upcoming designer to know that there is such a platform available to us now. I hope we will gain more government promotion and flourish even further.”

Though Mushtaq has only dabbled in prêt lines, she aims to start a couture bridal line soon.

The Islamabad Fashion Week-inspired show was peppered with tributes to art, keeping in mind the essence of the fusion theme. Dancers Iqra and Kamran Ali added to the homage being paid to Pakistan’s history by performing classical performances.

Even the ramp walks choreographed by Behzaad of Oriantano Associates followed dance-like rhythm, moving from snake-like subtle moves to fast-paced techno beats.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2011.