Gul Ahmed launches fall collection

With over 200 designs, the brand's latest creations are out in stores.

KARACHI: The brand’s launching event, Tuesday, was complemented by a red carpet and a fashion show to entertain the audience made up of notable fashion celebrities.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Ziad Bashir, Director Gul Ahmed said, “We believe this is the right time to bring the collection in the market.” As far as new offerings are concerned, Bashir said, “I definitely think this is the best collection. We have a lot of variety to offer, which no other brand has.”

Catalyst PR and Marketing Company, a sister company of Catwalk Productions, has signed an agreement for the brand marketing of Gul Ahmed. CEO Catwalk Productions Frieha Altaf said, “I used to be a Gul Ahmed girl, I remember the time when their lawns advertisments were considered the best all over Pakistan and a model would be picked up for Haseena Moeen’s drama to be aired on PTV. The girls would usually be Gul Ahmed models. I believe it’s an amazing brand, it just requires exposure in the media to promote itself.”

Altaf, wearing a brown outfit from Gul Ahmed, added, “The brand caters to middle class and upper class customers. If there is a local brand that can become multinational, I believe it’s Gul Ahmed. One needs to create more brands like these, where it’s a complete home store offering something from upholstery items like towels and bedsheets to men’s and women’s clothing. More importantly, as yet, nobody else can beat their lawn collections that come in summers.”

Attending the event was also politician Sharmila Farooqi’s mother Anisa Farooqi, who like many others, was wearing a Gul Ahmed’s print in light orange. “I wear Gul Ahmed all the time, have you noticed Sharmila too mostly wears Gul Ahmed, she loves their black-white collection.”

Saeeda Mandivala, the beautician known for bringing Toni&Guy said, “I often come to Gul Ahmed to collect items for myself. It’s a very exciting brand.”

Aamna Haider Isani, a journalist wearing an outfit by Kamiar Rokni, said, “It’s great that textile brands are now coming into fashion but I believe more collaboration is required between textile and fashion giants.”

Huma Adnan, designer of FnkAsia, was also spotted at the event. Adorning one of her own creations, Adnan said, “It is great to know that this brand has an edge over others and it surely gives loads of ideas and it facilitates its customers.”

Some of Pakistan’s top models including Iraj Mansoor, Fayeza Ansari and Ayyan walked the ramp at the event.

The Gul Ahmed collection has now officially launched all over Pakistan, and features a fabric called Cotton Cambric which ranges from Rs 1,550 to Rs 2,800 and Khadar from Rs 1,700 to Rs 3,200.

Rumour has it that the textile giant is also set to launch Black Chairman Latha soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2010.