Make way for fashion

AIFD display work at Clifton campus featuring weaving, painting, fabric collage, apparel and accessories.

KARACHI: The students of the Asian Institute of Fashion Design (AIFD) displayed their work at the Clifton campus on Thursday. This event marked the introduction of the Masters program and featured weaving, painting, fabric collage and displayed apparel and accessories.

Students were encouraged to experiment with different weaves and were asked to create their own designs.

The best work had been done by Kulsoom Rizvi and Nosheen Rana, whose paintings were based on Egyptian culture. Mention must also be made of Maliha Wahab’s painting that was done using fabric and jute.

Aside from these paintings, apparel and accessories were also on display with the apparel selection featuring western outfits while the latter showcased bags, shoes, and cushions. Again Rizvi’s work, as well as items created by Sundus Ismail and Saba Pirani stood out.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Umair Ahmed Siddiqui, Program Coordinator of Textile, AIFD said, “The display is part of our campaign to promote young talent. As you can see, their work is based on aesthetics and the skills that they have learnt here, but it is at a primary level.”

About the launch of a Masters program, Yousuf Sharjeel, Director Academics and Planning, AIFD said, “I developed the idea and thought of providing an opportunity to students who don’t find a platform after they graduate from school. The Masters program is for graduate students of AIFD and admission to Masters Program will commence in January 2011. Only those students who have done their Bachelors in the relevant field can join this program.”

Sharjeel added that the demand for merchandising is growing in Pakistan and that in the future, he plans to launch a BBA program for Design and Decor which he feels is already in high demand in the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 1^st, 2011.