Another designer gone astray in the haze

Farhat Hayat reveals a collection which doesn’t impress.

KARACHI: Being a designer in Pakistan is almost like saying, “I’m a housewife and I need to do something with my monotonous life.” This business is lucrative without doubt and, if you have the money to invest, it seems like the easiest option in the world. This is primarily why every fourth woman decides to jump into this field. The industry is unforgiving, yet there’s no scarcity of self-proclaimed designers. Earlier this week, another amateur entered the market proving, once again that designing is not an innate gift everyone possesses.

Farhat Hayat launched her store called Sheherbano — Empress of Elegance, next to Agha’s superstore on Tuesday. The collection was forgettable, average and above all, lacked neat cuts.

Designers like SanaSafinaz wait for years before launching their outlets, but Hayat, with barely two years of experience under her wing, seemed in a bit of a rush. The only thing that seemed to excite this newbie was the name of her husband’s grandmother Sheherbano. “That inspired me to name the store,” she exclaims. “Other than that, whatever inspiration I find is in my mind and heart — and that’s what goes into my collection.”

In her casual line, fabrics such as malai (butter) lawn, Swiss lawn and pure cotton have been used while in her bridal collection, she has used chiffon, jamawaar, raw silk and satin. She was on the right track with the colours, but when it comes down to the cuts and styling, it’s important to stay up-to-date with current trends.

“I’m not here to mint money,” she says. “I want every class to be able to afford my collection.” Her casual wear begins at a price of Rs3,000 and can go up to Rs12,000, while her bridal wear can go up to Rs120,000.

Fashion weeks have a purpose which most people seem to overlook — they are learning experiences. It’s important to educate yourself about what’s out there, whether it’s comparing prices with your competitors or designs, styles and colour combinations. Working in solitude will reap no benefits. We strongly advise new entrants to take part in these shows.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2013.

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