The new kids on the fashion block

The Express Tribune talks to designer novices from PSFW Rising Talent section, explore what they have up their sleeve

LAHORE:

Whether they plan on joining hands with a textile giant or launch their own retail store, the budding designers, who showcased their collections in the Rising Talent section at this year’s PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week (PSFW), hold great promise. The Express Tribune talks to the designer novices to explore their design mantra and what the fashion-forward should expect from them in times to come.

Hisham Malik

Malik’s ensembles comprise his signature design aesthetics. “I have kept consistent with my style and designs ever since I began my journey in fashion,” he says. “I explore various themes with my collections but they retain my signature designs that exude femininity and tasteful drama,” he adds. He showcased the collection he made for his Master’s thesis at the University of Salford, Manchester, which garnered good reviews for its structure and flow.

Malik’s first showcase was a hit and he is grateful to all those who made it happen. “Hassan Sheheryar Yasin guided me with music and choreography for the show and actually fought to have my fashion film played at PSFW,” he shares. He said the Pakistan Fashion Design Council (PFDC) provided him with affirmation of his talent, which he feels is something newcomers need in the tough fashion industry.

Malik’s prêt line ‘Zirah’ is set to be made available at multi-label stores in Lahore and Islamabad. The line will feature semi-formals for the modern working woman. The designer also looks towards venturing into couture, where he feels lies his strength.

Asrar Yaqoob

His collection took inspiration from an art form, traditionally done on camel skin by the nomads of Cholistan. Based on neutral tones, it had a high wearability quotient despite the unique form of art it drew inspiration from. Hailing from a small town in Kharian, Yaqoob always had an eye for hues and silhouettes.

Yaqoob was shortlisted by PFDC on the basis of his thesis collection. “Upon arrival at PFDC, Kamiar Rokni was the one who judged our collections and told me to work on my accessories in order to captivate the audience. I took his advice,” he states. He further says, “My work will probably be on the indigenous side due to my love for Pakistan. My taste will always remain close to my origin along with adapting trends.” He says his aim is to cater to the “high-end of the consumer spectrum.”

Nida Waqar

Waqar showcased a collection titled ‘Creatures and Curious Minds’. Waqar designed bags and accessories to go with her line, displaying a cohesive, holistic show. Discussing her debut show, she says, “The feeling of having my first illustration was remarkable. It was a breath-taking moment for me when supermodel Rabia Butt walked the ramp in my opening outfit.” Waqar is still discovering her signature style but draws inspiration from pre-modern artists.

Waqar feels it’s no easy feat to penetrate the local fashion industry, especially for an emerging designer. “The Pakistani industry has an interesting mix of new and old designers, all of whom have unique sensibilities,” she says. “With this kind of saturation in the market, it has become very difficult to break into the market and set a niche for oneself.” Her next step is to make her work available for retail and consistently have her ideas manifested into wearable creations.

Najia Qazi

Having scored a distinction at the Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design (PIFD), Najia Qazi put forward a laudable collection, titled ‘Sar Bakaf’. The line was inspired by the Mughals represented in Sadequain’s painting. Qazi shares that the entire time she was a student at PIFD, it was her dream to showcase at PFDC. “The industry has become so competitive and tightly-knit that it’s hard for newbies to make a mark in the fashion circle.”

She plans to introduce her PSFW collection to the market after making it more rack-appropriate. She said she is thrilled to have received a positive response from the media. She reiterates, “People have posted my collection with captions declaring me as the strongest contender.” A highlight for her was being featured by English-language newspaper The Times of India in their article on the Rising Talent.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st,  2015.

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