Fashion District Lahore set to open this Sunday

LAHORE: A new multi-label retail store, opening in Lahore this weekend, is yet another addition to the city’s fashion map.

Even though the city has several such stores, Fashion District aims to offer services as well.

Designer and owner Saadia Asad revealed the idea and objective behind the project. “We (Saadia and her husband Asad Alam) had a huge space and decided to convert it into a complete fashion house. The basic idea behind this is that if a girl walks in, she can not only get herself outfitted but also have everything done from a pedicure to a manicure. We have rented out racks to 13 designers and have a jewellery shop. While the current space we have built on is 1,200 square feet, our future plans include opening up a spa, starting personality grooming classes and launching a store for children’s clothing.”

Designer labels that will be stocked at Fashion District include Zarmina, Milli Madiha, Rukhsana Nadeem, Monica Couture, Maliha Haris, Nadia Faisal, Manish Chhabra, Sophia Butt, Teena by Hina Butt, Ahsan Nazir and Basic Lines by Ayesha and Sarah as well as Asad herself.

Saadia Asad told The Express Tribune that seven of these designers are established while others are new. “We also want to provide space to young designers.” Designers have rented out space for varying periods of time. Asad said that while several will be stocking for three months, others have rented the space for a year.

When asked why the couple went ahead with the idea of opening Fashion District when stores such as Fashion Pakistan Lounge already existed in Lahore, she said, “We are located at a very prime location. People who come from outside Lahore are very familiar with Liberty and we have a lot of space. My husband and I decided to utilise the space which is around 7,000 square feet.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 5^th, 2010.