Off to a great start

British High Commission kickstarts 10-day cultural festival with fashion show featuring local and foreign labels

KARACHI: As Karachi emerges as a cultural hotspot, global players, such as the United Kingdom, have begun taking keener interest in developing stronger bilateral ties with Pakistan. Efforts have been under way to make Pakistan a primary market for British brands. To satiate the palate of the culturally aware in the metropolis, the British High Commission kickstarted the 10-day Great Festival with a fashion show on October 2 at Dolmen Mall, Clifton.

Curated by industry heavyweight Maheen Khan, the fashion show began with a host of British brands, such as Debenhams, Next and Clarkes, showcasing their outfits, accessories and shoes. These were paired with offerings of local brands the likes of Gul Ahmed and Jafferjees. While the former put forth digital tops with British colonial buildings, the latter showed leather bags and clutches in tones, such as yellow, green and maroon. Gulabo’s tops and truck art-inspired clutches were also put on display with Debenham’s jeans. Models wearing Next looked suave in sweaters and grey suits paired with colourful ties and mufflers, apt sartorial choices for the upcoming winter season.

Deepak Perwani’s tops exuded edginess, featuring painter Frida Kahlo’s face with floral landscapes, geometric patterns and teapots. Where Debenhams’ collection was essentially monochrome with cocktail dresses, jumpsuits and mini dresses dominating the runway, Ideas by Gul Ahmed presented plain tops in colours such as green and purple in silk, and pants with digital prints showcasing old buildings.

Welcoming the guests at the occasion, British High Commissioner Philip Burton said, “As we celebrate 10 days of the Great Festival, we get to see how special a relationship Pakistan and the UK hold.” He shared that not only does the event aim at fostering trade and investment but also at paving the way for people to be a part of the event that boasts fashion-, food- and music-related activities, among others.

Burton added that given the security situation in the country has improved in the recent past, they chose to organise the event in a public space, something that demonstrates their faith in the bilateral relationship and the resilience and splendour of Karachi in specific. Also present at the occasion was British politician Nosheena Mobarik, who pledged to further cooperation between the two countries in terms of trade and investment. The event will go on till October 11 at various other locations in the city.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 5^th, 2015.

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