South Asian designers strut their stuff in London
Fashion Parade takes the city by storm with showcase comprising talent from both sides of the border
Rahi Chadda, the first and only male model in three years of Fashion Parade, walked for Ali Xeeshan. PHOTOS: PUBLICITY Burberry model Laila Naim walks the ramp for the first time
LONDON:
It was an evening of splendour on June 11 at the Saatchi Gallery in one of the fashion capitals of the world, London. At the entrance stood a 12-foot wall made of fresh flowers by British award-winning florist Zita Elze, accentuating the grandeur of the occasion.
As the space bid welcome to the designer who’s-who of South Asia at this year’s Fashion Parade, it called for a celebration of the region’s talent, both established and emerging. The first South Asian fashion event to be hosted at the gallery saw showcases by designers from Pakistan, India and the United Kingdom.
The line-up of designers included names such as Syeda Amera, Seher Tareen, Areeba Asif, Rema, Rani Emaan, Ali Xeeshan, Rose Room Couture, Hira Shah, Anamika Khanna presented by Aashni + Co and Jyoti Chandhok. In an effort to promote women’s empowerment, Fashion Parade featured mostly female designers, offering them a global platform to prove their mettle. Each designer showed 10 pieces that drew applause of the audience comprising journalists, bloggers, stylists and celebrities.
Pakistani designer Syed Amera said of her experience, “It has been wonderful working with the whole team of Fashion Parade. It provides a platform to designers to introduce their work to the UK market.” Areeba Asif, a budding talent from Pakistan, shared she was “extremely happy” to be part of the event. “This was my debut show and I’ve been happy with the response and assistance I got throughout the show,” she stated. “I’d love to be part of it again and I wish the Fashion Parade team the best for their future events.” Farzeen of Rani Emaan lauded the show for being well-organised. “The backstage team was good, there was strong media presence, and the ramp and crowd were great,” said the designer.
A first for Burberry’s youngest model, five-year-old Pakistani Laila Naim, walked the ramp for Ali Xeeshan. She appeared holding hands with Ali amid roaring applause from the audience. Laila was the right amount of coy, her eyes glistening with confidence as she strutted on the runway. Rahi Chadda, the first and only male model in the three years of Fashion Parade, was a surprise element. Also walking for Ali, Rahi received a great response from the attendees.
Launched in 2013, Fashion Parade is the brainchild of Sadia Siddiqui, founder and CEO of Mustang Productions, responsible for organising the event in London. “Fashion Pakistan has been a labour of love. Living in London, it breaks my heart to see the negative press Pakistan receives internationally. We’re a vibrant nation with a blossoming fashion and textile industry,” Sadia said. She added that not only does the event highlight both the budding and experienced talent of the local fashion industry but also gives the world an insight into a progressive Pakistan.
From across the border, designer Jyoti said, “My collection was well-received and I’m glad to have partnered with Mustang Productions to showcase my fusion collection for the year.” Isha Rajpal of India’s Rose Room Couture shared how Fashion Parade opened doors for budding designers to project their offerings to a global audience. “I think it’s a brilliant platform for young talent to showcase their collections on an international level in a grand way,” she noted.
Fashion Parade this year garnered attention for its line-up of guests, which included Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and former balling all-rounder Azhar Mehmood, Bollywood singing sensation Kanika Kapoor, noted stylists Harriet of Game of Thrones fame and Ozzy Shah, and TV host Prince Cassius. The event aims at bringing South Asians together by showcasing some of the best the region has to offer. “Through its collaboration with Indian designers, Fashion Parade is helping bring the entire South Asian community together,” noted Sadia. In the future, it could also see the inclusion of a Bangladeshi designer in hopes to get closer to becoming a holistic platform for fashion frontrunners in South Asia.
Like every year, the event has a social cause attached to it. The Fashion Parade platform has been supporting charities that work to provide a better living to underprivileged children or those who have been subjected to domestic violence and other forms of injustice. This year, they worked with children’s charity Barnardo’s by selling raffle tickets.
The raffle includes one piece from each designer that was sold as a ticket to raise money for charity, among other means. Victoria Veats of the British charity spoke to the audience at the occasion. “Barnardos were delighted to be chosen as Mustang Productions’ charity this year for Fashion Parade. The guests were exceptionally generous and we’ve raised around 2,000 pounds already with more pledges coming in,” she shared.
Duo Ambreen and Amir, who have been working with Mustang from the first edition of Fashion Parade, was the talent behind hair and make-up for the showcase. The event took place at the historic Kensington Palace in London last year.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 18th, 2015.
It was an evening of splendour on June 11 at the Saatchi Gallery in one of the fashion capitals of the world, London. At the entrance stood a 12-foot wall made of fresh flowers by British award-winning florist Zita Elze, accentuating the grandeur of the occasion.
As the space bid welcome to the designer who’s-who of South Asia at this year’s Fashion Parade, it called for a celebration of the region’s talent, both established and emerging. The first South Asian fashion event to be hosted at the gallery saw showcases by designers from Pakistan, India and the United Kingdom.
Rema
The line-up of designers included names such as Syeda Amera, Seher Tareen, Areeba Asif, Rema, Rani Emaan, Ali Xeeshan, Rose Room Couture, Hira Shah, Anamika Khanna presented by Aashni + Co and Jyoti Chandhok. In an effort to promote women’s empowerment, Fashion Parade featured mostly female designers, offering them a global platform to prove their mettle. Each designer showed 10 pieces that drew applause of the audience comprising journalists, bloggers, stylists and celebrities.
Pakistani designer Syed Amera said of her experience, “It has been wonderful working with the whole team of Fashion Parade. It provides a platform to designers to introduce their work to the UK market.” Areeba Asif, a budding talent from Pakistan, shared she was “extremely happy” to be part of the event. “This was my debut show and I’ve been happy with the response and assistance I got throughout the show,” she stated. “I’d love to be part of it again and I wish the Fashion Parade team the best for their future events.” Farzeen of Rani Emaan lauded the show for being well-organised. “The backstage team was good, there was strong media presence, and the ramp and crowd were great,” said the designer.
Rani Emaan
A first for Burberry’s youngest model, five-year-old Pakistani Laila Naim, walked the ramp for Ali Xeeshan. She appeared holding hands with Ali amid roaring applause from the audience. Laila was the right amount of coy, her eyes glistening with confidence as she strutted on the runway. Rahi Chadda, the first and only male model in the three years of Fashion Parade, was a surprise element. Also walking for Ali, Rahi received a great response from the attendees.
Launched in 2013, Fashion Parade is the brainchild of Sadia Siddiqui, founder and CEO of Mustang Productions, responsible for organising the event in London. “Fashion Pakistan has been a labour of love. Living in London, it breaks my heart to see the negative press Pakistan receives internationally. We’re a vibrant nation with a blossoming fashion and textile industry,” Sadia said. She added that not only does the event highlight both the budding and experienced talent of the local fashion industry but also gives the world an insight into a progressive Pakistan.
From across the border, designer Jyoti said, “My collection was well-received and I’m glad to have partnered with Mustang Productions to showcase my fusion collection for the year.” Isha Rajpal of India’s Rose Room Couture shared how Fashion Parade opened doors for budding designers to project their offerings to a global audience. “I think it’s a brilliant platform for young talent to showcase their collections on an international level in a grand way,” she noted.
Fashion Parade this year garnered attention for its line-up of guests, which included Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and former balling all-rounder Azhar Mehmood, Bollywood singing sensation Kanika Kapoor, noted stylists Harriet of Game of Thrones fame and Ozzy Shah, and TV host Prince Cassius. The event aims at bringing South Asians together by showcasing some of the best the region has to offer. “Through its collaboration with Indian designers, Fashion Parade is helping bring the entire South Asian community together,” noted Sadia. In the future, it could also see the inclusion of a Bangladeshi designer in hopes to get closer to becoming a holistic platform for fashion frontrunners in South Asia.
Like every year, the event has a social cause attached to it. The Fashion Parade platform has been supporting charities that work to provide a better living to underprivileged children or those who have been subjected to domestic violence and other forms of injustice. This year, they worked with children’s charity Barnardo’s by selling raffle tickets.
The raffle includes one piece from each designer that was sold as a ticket to raise money for charity, among other means. Victoria Veats of the British charity spoke to the audience at the occasion. “Barnardos were delighted to be chosen as Mustang Productions’ charity this year for Fashion Parade. The guests were exceptionally generous and we’ve raised around 2,000 pounds already with more pledges coming in,” she shared.
Duo Ambreen and Amir, who have been working with Mustang from the first edition of Fashion Parade, was the talent behind hair and make-up for the showcase. The event took place at the historic Kensington Palace in London last year.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 18th, 2015.