The voice of a fashion novice

Designer Ansab Jahangir shows great promise as she launches studio and Eid collection in Karachi

LAHORE:

A host of designers have recently forayed into the fashion world with real gusto, offering a myriad of sartorial options. A few of these novices seem to have struck the balance between delivering visual appeal with a high quotient of wearability, and even fewer have risen to the fore over a short span of time. Among these is Ansab Jahangir, who, after having begun designing for her friends and family seven years ago, formally launched her studio and Eid collection in Defense, Karachi on May 16.

Designing clothes, Jahangir says, comes naturally to her as she set foot in it at the age of 17. She says her design philosophy involves accentuating traditional work with modern cuts, giving her clients a fresh take on ethnic looks. “I draw inspiration from nature for my designs … you will come across a lot of florals in my collection,” says the designer, whose label mainly became known through positive word-of-mouth in the metropolis.



With tasteful embellishments and well-tailored cuts, Jahangir’s creations range from prêt to luxury prêt to couture to bridals, which she ventured into this year. Exuding femininity, her work includes intricate threadwork on chaddars, embroidered silk kurtas and prêt kurtas in both bright and muted tones. The collection boasts some trendy cuts on luxe fabric and includes short angharkas, a yellow-fringed jacket and pants with work.

Since she had been designing clothes on a smaller-scale for a few years prior to opening her studio, she used this time to gauge the market for designer-wear and trends. Of her findings, she shares, “I found that Pakistani fashionistas are constantly in search of new trends and patterns and are way more fashion-forward than I expected.”

For brides this season, she feels dominant trends would include net jackets with organza dupattas, paired with classic straight shirts and regal farshi ghararas. “Opulent pearls, Swarovski crystals and zardozi embellishments will be widely seen along with the continuance of the lehenga-choli trend.” Her personal favourites from her collection are the short-hemline jackets that can be paired with pants or jeans for an edgy look.



Jahangir has chosen Sana Ansari as the face of the brand and has done two shoots with her for her label. Titled ‘Reminiscing paradise’, the first shoot for her bridal collection was done by Muzi Sufi. With a building site as their choice of location, it was interesting to see the formal clothes juxtaposed with a rugged backdrop. “The concept behind this shoot is that a girl can stand out from her surroundings through what she chooses to wear, the rugged landscape does not shackle her,” explains Jahangir. The second shoot was recently done for her Eid collection.

The price tag for the label’s prêt collection ranges between Rs4,000 up to Rs7,000, luxury prêt goes from Rs8,000 up to Rs14,000, and formals are priced between Rs25,000 and Rs1,50,000. The bridals begin from Rs200,000 and are made by appointment at Jahangir’s studio.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2015.

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