Pakistani Fashion
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Pakistan's famous cotton suits reach India for the first time
AMRITSAR: For the very first time since partition, a truckload of Pakistan's famous cotton suits for women arrived here through Attari border on Wednesday.
"A local trader has imported cotton suits for women from Pakistan," said Central Warehousing Corporation manager Rameshwar.
"This was for the first time that women's dresses had been imported through Attari border which shows that the land route had become the first choice of traders, due to improved infrastructure and facilities for trade," he said.
Pakistani women dress material enjoys immense demand from fashion lovers here.
"It is a good as well as bad news," said owner of a ladies' garment showroom, Raman Kumar. It was good as Pakistani dress material sells at high price and give better profit margins, but at the same time it will impact local businessmen, he said.
"There should be balance in trade. If Pak exports its garments to our market, we should also start doing the same, else there will be unrest in the market," he said.
Meanwhile, the cement industry is bearing the brunt of recent rupee depreciation as no cement trucks arrived in India from Pakistan on Wednesday. Ever since the rupee witnessed depreciation against dollar, cement imports from Pakistan have decreased, Rameshwar said.
"Not even a single truck of cement arrived from Pak on Wednesday. Imports have drastically dropped in the past few days," he said. Average cement imports from Pakistan has dropped to less than 5 trucks a day as compared to 15 to 20 trucks before the rupee value fell as against dollar, he added.
Pakistan's famous cotton suits reach India for the first time - The Times of India
AMRITSAR: For the very first time since partition, a truckload of Pakistan's famous cotton suits for women arrived here through Attari border on Wednesday.
"A local trader has imported cotton suits for women from Pakistan," said Central Warehousing Corporation manager Rameshwar.
"This was for the first time that women's dresses had been imported through Attari border which shows that the land route had become the first choice of traders, due to improved infrastructure and facilities for trade," he said.
Pakistani women dress material enjoys immense demand from fashion lovers here.
"It is a good as well as bad news," said owner of a ladies' garment showroom, Raman Kumar. It was good as Pakistani dress material sells at high price and give better profit margins, but at the same time it will impact local businessmen, he said.
"There should be balance in trade. If Pak exports its garments to our market, we should also start doing the same, else there will be unrest in the market," he said.
Meanwhile, the cement industry is bearing the brunt of recent rupee depreciation as no cement trucks arrived in India from Pakistan on Wednesday. Ever since the rupee witnessed depreciation against dollar, cement imports from Pakistan have decreased, Rameshwar said.
"Not even a single truck of cement arrived from Pak on Wednesday. Imports have drastically dropped in the past few days," he said. Average cement imports from Pakistan has dropped to less than 5 trucks a day as compared to 15 to 20 trucks before the rupee value fell as against dollar, he added.
Pakistan's famous cotton suits reach India for the first time - The Times of India
SHAMK9
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Fascinating fashions of Pakistan
THINK of Pakistan, and chances are, images that spring to mind would be that of military rule, thanks to the negative press we’ve been exposed to.
So, when I was asked if I’d like to attend Pakistan Fashion Week, I was surprised such an event even existed, and I had my reservations about going. It didn’t help that when I posted my impending trip on Facebook and asked if I should take US dollars or Pakistan rupees, a German friend joked that I should bring a bullet-proof vest.
But my initial doubts were unfounded. The fifth installation of the Pakistan Fashion Design Council (PFDC) Sunsilk Fashion Week – held in Lahore, Pakistan last month – was truly an eye-opener. Not only did it introduce me to some exceptional design talent in the country, I also learnt much about an amazing textile industry that supports this talent. And I had a chance to experience the genuine warmth of the people who are far removed from the images of aggression that are commonly shown in the media.
Such hospitality was extended by not only the hosts of the event, but almost everyone I met – from the people on the airplane to the driver who took us to the hotel, and the hotel staff, including a 213cm-tall security personnel who, after running my bag through a metal detector, gave me a big, genuine smile and wished me: “A very good day, sir.”
A group of us from the international fashion industry had been brought in by the PFDC, not only to witness the fashion week, but also to get a taste of what Pakistan is all about.
I had the privilege of going around with a few international buyers, visiting the country’s top designers in their showrooms, and even a few of their factories. I was amazed by their detailed and intricate hand embroidery and other embellishing methods typical to this part of the world.
During my exploration, I learnt that 90% of the embroidery from the Indian subcontinent originates from Pakistan. I also discovered that Pakistan is the fourth biggest cotton producer in the world, hence it is no wonder that clothing and textile make up two-thirds of the country’s total exports.
Figures aside, I was impressed by the creative talent I saw, which makes the most of the indigenous fabrics, materials and embellishing techniques available in the country.
Much of the design industry has grown from the tradition of women buying their own cotton fabrics and taking these to their tailors to sew. It is this very tradition that inspired the PFDC to bring couturiers and fashion mills together, and have the fashion designers create seasonal collections, which now literally millions of Pakistani women buy and wear
The PFDC is a non-profit organisation made up of 50 of Pakistan’s leading fashion designers, all driven to grow their country’s fashion industry. Apart from running two multi-label stores stocking their designer members’ fashion, PFDC organises the annual PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week, a highly anticipated fashion event in Lahore, the cultural heart of Pakistan.
Just because it is put together by a group of designers, some may think the PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week is a small, casual do. But nothing could be further from the truth. All the designers bring to the table not only their talents but also their teams. And, believe me, these teams are huge in comparison to designers from other countries – with some having hundreds of staff members! It was heartwarming to see how everyone came together for a common goal.
Additionally, PFDC has its own staff and board members as well as a PR agency, which invited dozens of media, including TV stations, and even managed to bring in British Vogue magazine. It was a fashion extravaganza held over four days, with each day showcasing a minimum of six designers. All the shows were held in Lahore’s new, state-of-the-art convention centre, where a stage had been installed with big LCD screens so that guests could get close-ups of the models and clothes.
The shows presented a mix of summery collections from casual wear to pret-a-porter (ready-to-wear) and couture.
Couture apparently forms the core of the business for most of the local designers, as intricate creations (costing thousands of US dollars) are much sought-after for weddings. In these couture creations, Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage comes alive in the intricate embroidery, crystal and beadwork, and mukesh, a technique of embedding flat metals (such as silver) into the fabric.
However, not all the designs were traditional or typically Pakistani. I was impressed by a number of designers whose creations would definitely have a market in the West. Ammar Belal’s fun and preppy knits and designer jeans, for example, could easily make the transition from the catwalk straight into any store in the world. Because his designs have such universal appeal, they could be mass-produced in Pakistan. I also liked his story, which he shared with Vogue’s reporter and me, as we were waiting outside for our transport.
“My earliest memories as a child are of playing hide and seek among the vibrant coloured mountains of cotton jersey fabric in my parents’ knitwear factory. This collection is dedicated to my mother who gave me a beautiful childhood that helped me find myself and moulded me into who I am today,” he said.
Pakistan is definitely an up-and-coming fashion destination which should definitely be explored, especially as Malaysia and Pakistan enjoy a free trade agreement. But more than fashion, I now know the people are truly amazing hosts, and I definitely plan to return to discover more about this fascinating nation.
Fascinating fashions of Pakistan
THINK of Pakistan, and chances are, images that spring to mind would be that of military rule, thanks to the negative press we’ve been exposed to.
So, when I was asked if I’d like to attend Pakistan Fashion Week, I was surprised such an event even existed, and I had my reservations about going. It didn’t help that when I posted my impending trip on Facebook and asked if I should take US dollars or Pakistan rupees, a German friend joked that I should bring a bullet-proof vest.
But my initial doubts were unfounded. The fifth installation of the Pakistan Fashion Design Council (PFDC) Sunsilk Fashion Week – held in Lahore, Pakistan last month – was truly an eye-opener. Not only did it introduce me to some exceptional design talent in the country, I also learnt much about an amazing textile industry that supports this talent. And I had a chance to experience the genuine warmth of the people who are far removed from the images of aggression that are commonly shown in the media.
Such hospitality was extended by not only the hosts of the event, but almost everyone I met – from the people on the airplane to the driver who took us to the hotel, and the hotel staff, including a 213cm-tall security personnel who, after running my bag through a metal detector, gave me a big, genuine smile and wished me: “A very good day, sir.”
A group of us from the international fashion industry had been brought in by the PFDC, not only to witness the fashion week, but also to get a taste of what Pakistan is all about.
I had the privilege of going around with a few international buyers, visiting the country’s top designers in their showrooms, and even a few of their factories. I was amazed by their detailed and intricate hand embroidery and other embellishing methods typical to this part of the world.
During my exploration, I learnt that 90% of the embroidery from the Indian subcontinent originates from Pakistan. I also discovered that Pakistan is the fourth biggest cotton producer in the world, hence it is no wonder that clothing and textile make up two-thirds of the country’s total exports.
Figures aside, I was impressed by the creative talent I saw, which makes the most of the indigenous fabrics, materials and embellishing techniques available in the country.
Much of the design industry has grown from the tradition of women buying their own cotton fabrics and taking these to their tailors to sew. It is this very tradition that inspired the PFDC to bring couturiers and fashion mills together, and have the fashion designers create seasonal collections, which now literally millions of Pakistani women buy and wear
The PFDC is a non-profit organisation made up of 50 of Pakistan’s leading fashion designers, all driven to grow their country’s fashion industry. Apart from running two multi-label stores stocking their designer members’ fashion, PFDC organises the annual PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week, a highly anticipated fashion event in Lahore, the cultural heart of Pakistan.
Just because it is put together by a group of designers, some may think the PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week is a small, casual do. But nothing could be further from the truth. All the designers bring to the table not only their talents but also their teams. And, believe me, these teams are huge in comparison to designers from other countries – with some having hundreds of staff members! It was heartwarming to see how everyone came together for a common goal.
Additionally, PFDC has its own staff and board members as well as a PR agency, which invited dozens of media, including TV stations, and even managed to bring in British Vogue magazine. It was a fashion extravaganza held over four days, with each day showcasing a minimum of six designers. All the shows were held in Lahore’s new, state-of-the-art convention centre, where a stage had been installed with big LCD screens so that guests could get close-ups of the models and clothes.
The shows presented a mix of summery collections from casual wear to pret-a-porter (ready-to-wear) and couture.
Couture apparently forms the core of the business for most of the local designers, as intricate creations (costing thousands of US dollars) are much sought-after for weddings. In these couture creations, Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage comes alive in the intricate embroidery, crystal and beadwork, and mukesh, a technique of embedding flat metals (such as silver) into the fabric.
However, not all the designs were traditional or typically Pakistani. I was impressed by a number of designers whose creations would definitely have a market in the West. Ammar Belal’s fun and preppy knits and designer jeans, for example, could easily make the transition from the catwalk straight into any store in the world. Because his designs have such universal appeal, they could be mass-produced in Pakistan. I also liked his story, which he shared with Vogue’s reporter and me, as we were waiting outside for our transport.
“My earliest memories as a child are of playing hide and seek among the vibrant coloured mountains of cotton jersey fabric in my parents’ knitwear factory. This collection is dedicated to my mother who gave me a beautiful childhood that helped me find myself and moulded me into who I am today,” he said.
Pakistan is definitely an up-and-coming fashion destination which should definitely be explored, especially as Malaysia and Pakistan enjoy a free trade agreement. But more than fashion, I now know the people are truly amazing hosts, and I definitely plan to return to discover more about this fascinating nation.
Fascinating fashions of Pakistan
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