All that glitters isn’t gold for shoe shoppers

KARACHI:

The crowd of shoppers gathered outside Zever Hall at Karachi’s Pearl Continental Hotel on Friday afternoon had high hopes from Nadia Hussain’s debut collection of shoes titled ‘Fetish’. But there did not appear to be anything different in store for the impatient customers as the designs were similar as those being sold at stores across the city. The big difference? The faux stones are larger on Fetish shoes.

Diamantes on flats and heels, and faux stones in blood red, aqua green or turquoise made up the collection, which is priced from Rs1,600 to over Rs3,000. Surprisingly, even the well-heeled crowd at the event felt that the shoes were “not reasonably priced.”

Mussarrat, in her 40s, arrived an hour before the sale was scheduled to start, and said that even though the collection was good, she didn’t have the patience to buy shoes anymore.  Mehreen, who arrived 30 minutes prior to the opening, left very early, citing that there was nothing new being offered.

Nadia Hussain told The Express Tribune before the event, “I am far more nervous than excited.” However, comments made by shoppers will not help allay her nerves.

Zarna was underwhelmed by the shoes on display. “I wear simple flats” she said, and made a pointed reference to the glitzy stones, “I do not wear this jhalak shalak.”

Mahira, 17, agreed with her fellow shoppers, “I couldn’t find anything different.”

Young girls flitted around but were quick to pass judgment. “The exhibition is lame” and “these are cheap styles” were phrases overheard in the hall. Many excited women walked out without buying anything. But others, such as Amna, designer Shahla Rehman’s daughter, said that they were “not disappointed.”

“But I had thought something more would come out of the exhibition,” Amna said. “One thing is for sure though - these are extremely comfortable flats and heels.”

The collection, which was launched in time for Eid, features shoes in deep gold, silver, black and beige. The sale continues till September 5.

It did manage to get its share of fans. Madiha, who bought two shoes, said “the collection was good,” while Nazish, who bought three pairs, said “it was a nice collection but the prices are steep.”

Samia, who bought two pairs for herself, said “It was hot and  the event was unorganised.”

Fariha Khalid, a salesperson at the event said, “Overall, it was pretty good. Most people have purchased some something or the other. I was expecting this crowd of 200 women.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th, 2010.