Art is where the heart is
Organisers of Shaan-e-Pakistan share details of the three-day event in India
VJ-turned-designer Anoushey Ashraf hosted the launch of Shaan-e-Pakistan. PHOTOS: KASHIF U DIN
KARACHI:
Despite sharing a mutual heritage, the ties between Pakistan and India have never been consistently good. Something always happens on either side of the border, forcing us to lock horns, but fortunately that does not apply to artists — the only mascots who have always sent across positivity and got respect and recognition in return. Shaan-e-Pakistan is another such venture that aims to bring fashion designers from India and Pakistan on the same platform.
Huma Nasr, CEO of Braahtii, a design house and the organiser of Shaan-e-Pakistan, disclosed the details of the event that is to take place in India, at a local hotel here in Karachi on Wednesday. Nasr believes that India and Pakistan share a similar culture and New Delhi and Islamabad should send a message across at a global level.
“There is a vacuum that requires to be filled and I am so glad that the designers trusted my plan,” said Nasr. She acknowledged the fact that even though she was not a part of the fashion council or an e-commerce trade body, the fashion fraternity and the media industry welcomed her with open arms.
The event will start on September 10, with a Meet and Greet Gala Night at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. Renowned Pakistani chefs Zakir and Gulzar will be making royal dishes for those in attendance and Qawaal Amjad Sabri will do a live performance. On the second and third day, artisans from both sides of the country will exhibit textile and fashion related arts and craft pieces.
The grand fashion show will take place on the third and final day of the event. The impressive roster of local designers that will be participating includes Ali Xeeshan, Asifa and Nabeel, House of Arsalan Iqbal, The House of Umar Sayeed, HSY, Mona Imran, Nadia Hussain and Zainab Chottani. Indian designers Anju Modi, Arshi Jamal, Charu Parasher, Raakesh Agarwal, Leena Taneja and Poonam Bhagat will also be showcasing at the event. The fashion will feature ensembles ranging from lawn, bridals, prêt, luxe- prêt to high-street and will be choreographed by Imran Kureshi.
One of the panelists, model cum entrepreneur Nadia Hussain, spoke about her expectations from Shaan-e- Pakistan. “I am very excited to be a part of it,” she said. “I hope that it turns out to be a successful.” Chef Zakir, on the other hand, said that Indians should see how Pakistan has progressed over the last 60 years and Shaan-e-Pakistan is a great platform for that. “We need to appreciate and enhance efforts for peace and cooperation,” he added. “Pakistani culture and food is similar to India and we hope that we are able to deliver and present a great variety of cuisine from our end,” said Gulzar.
According to a press release, acclaimed musician Amjad Sabri also drew the cultural parallel between the two neighbouring countries and how beneficial it could be for both to work together, promoting trade, art and culture.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 7th, 2015.
Despite sharing a mutual heritage, the ties between Pakistan and India have never been consistently good. Something always happens on either side of the border, forcing us to lock horns, but fortunately that does not apply to artists — the only mascots who have always sent across positivity and got respect and recognition in return. Shaan-e-Pakistan is another such venture that aims to bring fashion designers from India and Pakistan on the same platform.
Huma Nasr, CEO of Braahtii, a design house and the organiser of Shaan-e-Pakistan, disclosed the details of the event that is to take place in India, at a local hotel here in Karachi on Wednesday. Nasr believes that India and Pakistan share a similar culture and New Delhi and Islamabad should send a message across at a global level.
“There is a vacuum that requires to be filled and I am so glad that the designers trusted my plan,” said Nasr. She acknowledged the fact that even though she was not a part of the fashion council or an e-commerce trade body, the fashion fraternity and the media industry welcomed her with open arms.
Akhtar Chanal Zahri. PHOTOS: KASHIF U DIN
The event will start on September 10, with a Meet and Greet Gala Night at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. Renowned Pakistani chefs Zakir and Gulzar will be making royal dishes for those in attendance and Qawaal Amjad Sabri will do a live performance. On the second and third day, artisans from both sides of the country will exhibit textile and fashion related arts and craft pieces.
The grand fashion show will take place on the third and final day of the event. The impressive roster of local designers that will be participating includes Ali Xeeshan, Asifa and Nabeel, House of Arsalan Iqbal, The House of Umar Sayeed, HSY, Mona Imran, Nadia Hussain and Zainab Chottani. Indian designers Anju Modi, Arshi Jamal, Charu Parasher, Raakesh Agarwal, Leena Taneja and Poonam Bhagat will also be showcasing at the event. The fashion will feature ensembles ranging from lawn, bridals, prêt, luxe- prêt to high-street and will be choreographed by Imran Kureshi.
Nadia Hussain and Amjad Sabri. PHOTOS: KASHIF U DIN
One of the panelists, model cum entrepreneur Nadia Hussain, spoke about her expectations from Shaan-e- Pakistan. “I am very excited to be a part of it,” she said. “I hope that it turns out to be a successful.” Chef Zakir, on the other hand, said that Indians should see how Pakistan has progressed over the last 60 years and Shaan-e-Pakistan is a great platform for that. “We need to appreciate and enhance efforts for peace and cooperation,” he added. “Pakistani culture and food is similar to India and we hope that we are able to deliver and present a great variety of cuisine from our end,” said Gulzar.
According to a press release, acclaimed musician Amjad Sabri also drew the cultural parallel between the two neighbouring countries and how beneficial it could be for both to work together, promoting trade, art and culture.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 7th, 2015.