Reviving times of yore

Designer duo Saira Shakira talks about their latest collection & how they plan to bring back the 60s look this summer

LAHORE:

Talented designer duo Saira Shakira has acquired a loyal clientele across Pakistan in a short span of time. They are the youngest of the eight designers, who showcased at this weekend’s PFDC Swarovski Crystal Couturiers in the city.

Speaking to The Express Tribune about their latest collection, Shakira told that it has been designed in collaboration with Swarovski. “We were given crystals called paradise shine from which we took our inspiration”, said Shakira. “The concept behind our story ‘Once upon a time’ is how fashion evolved for women through the ages”, she added.



The collection is a unique blend of history and glamour. The inspiration ranges from the androgynous outfits for women during the First World War to the Renaissance period where ball gowns and voluminous skirts paid ode to the opulence of that time period.

The duo officially launched their label in 2011 with the opening of their flagship store in Model Town, Lahore.  Shakira told, “We started with pret only as we thought it was more fun and very soon we created our niche. However, we felt that it restricted our playing field, so we ventured into formals and now bridals.” They focused on making their brand accessible before taking off on a larger scale.



Saira and Shakira are both graduates of the distinguished Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design. They have taught at the institute as well.

Shakira believes that their professional background has helped them in their designs as it made them aware of the variations that could be done. She said, “It helped us in mixing western elements in our traditional shalwar kameez and we feel that having a fashion background is also something that gives you an edge.”

The label Saira Shakira caters to the contemporary sartorial choices of the woman of today. When asked about their vision for this season, Shakira told, “We have been designing short shirts for a while now and this summer we see the 60’s/70’s look coming back, the short shirts with flared pants or shalwars.”



Reminiscing the biggest highlights of their career, the duo told their first achievement would be the Pret Fashion Week with PFDC where they showcased their ‘Cirque du Vanite’ collection inspired by the circus. And the second greatest highlight would be their debut show at the Bridal Fashion Week.

With a diverse price range and clear goals in mind, the duo aims to enter mass retail with lawn as well as set a niche in bridal wear. Shakira admitted that they would love to see the brand become a household name throughout the nation.

Published in The Express Tribune, March  2^nd, 2015.

Like Life & Style on Facebook, follow @ETLifeandStyle on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.