Pakistan's Best Runway Models

[Riaz Haq]

Mass media revolution and rising consumption in Pakistan have spawned an impressive fashion scene in the last decade. It has given birth to a young and thriving fashion industry and created unprecedented opportunities for beautiful young professional models who show off a range of fashion apparel, cosmetics, jewelry and accessories as well as other consumer products and services to a rapidly growing brand-conscious middle class.It has also opened up export opportunities for brand-name textile and leather products and cosmetics and jewelry from Pakistan.

Here are some of the popular models often seen on TV and in print ads and on runways at frequent fashion shows in Pakistan and overseas:

1. Tehmeena Afzal:

2. Iman Ali:

Iman Ali

3. Amina Haq:

Amna Haq

 
4. Vaneeza Ahmed:

Vaneeza Ahmad

5. Nadia Husain:

Nadia Husain

6. Cybil Chaudhry:

Cybil Chaudhry

7.  Iraj Manzoor:

Iraj Mansoor

 8. Sunita Marshall:

Sunita Marshall

9. Mathira Khan:

Mathira Khan

10. Shanna Bukhari:

11. Veena Malik:

12. Meesha Shafi:

13. Mehreen Syed:

14. Amna Ilyas:

15. Ayyan Ali with other models:

Here's a video clip of Karachi Fashion Week 2011:



Here's a video shoot of Tehmeena Afzal:





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[Riaz Haq]

Here's an ET report on a fashion show for buyers as part of Karachi Expo 2012:

As bridal fashion week was in full swing in Lahore, the city of lights saw its own two day fashion show.

As part of the annual Expo, a trade fair that bills itself as a platform that showcases “the very best of Pakistan”, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) organised a fashion segment — a feature of the Expo that has become popular with those with an eye for what’s in vogue. As international and local buyers gathered under the Pearl Continental Marquee on October 4 and 5, designers such as Faiza Samee and Sonya Battla, along with artist Amin Gulgee presented some interesting work that reflected their signature style. While there was, of course, one hopelessly outdated collection, the majority did generate some fashionable numbers that could easily find a home for themselves in your closet.....Jackets

The runway saw some colourful and well-tailored jackets that can easily be thrown over a basic white top and rocked at a party...

Skins

Instead of just the regular chiffons, cottons and silks, designers experimented with some unusual fabric at the TDAP fashion event.....

Layers

Another trend spotted on the runway was layered kameezes and dresses. Faiza Samee created layers with richly coloured block prints in chiffon, and made screen print contemporary and different by mixing vivid block prints with animal prints and solid colours....

Ethnic

Tribal prints and frills were all the rage. While Faiza Samee presented fresh tribal-printed pajamas in silk that can be worn with a solid colour kurta, the PIFD designers pieced together tribal headgear with buttons at the neckline. ...

Breaking it up

More than one designer chose to add a belt to their outfit. Faiza Samee paired an embellished slim belt with a lovely screen printed tunic in orange, maroon and black....

Accessories

You can always expect Amin Gulgee to wow you with eccentric statement jewellery. Not only did his copper and bronze leaves and chunky choker necklaces impress foreign buyers in the crowd, they also make for very interesting fashion statements that can instantly glam up a long black dress. ...

http://tribune.com.pk/story/448675/expo-pakistan-runway-trends-to-r...

[Riaz Haq]

Here's an ET story on the launch of a new brand of denim jeans in Pakistan:

LAHORE: Local urban fashion brand Stoneage launched its latest campaign ‘Denim Forever’ along with a flagship outlet on MM Alam road in Lahore on Friday. With model-actor-musician Meesha Shafi and motorcycle enthusiast, adventurist Moin Khan of ‘A Different Agenda’ as their brand ambassadors, Stoneage comes with a new outlook and a very interesting flagship store.

Stoneage is a part of Crescent Bahuman Ltd, one of the country’s leading denim exporters boasting a clientele as versatile as Levi’s, Mustang, Bensherman and Xpress Ltd. They opened doors in 2004 as a denim brand at first, but later developed into a complete western-wear brand with a vision to empower the young with a fashion statement to emancipate and liberate, whether inspired by punk-rock, glam, funk or urban street culture.

The brand celebrated the launch of its new store with an interactive performance featuring the eclectic music by Charpayee. This local band is known for using everyday household items to make music. Charpayee used surfaces from the Stoneage store to create a unique custom soundtrack during their live performance.

“This new store symbolises a different philosophy that we intend to pursue moving forward,” says Babar Rashid Khan, Associate Vice President Stoneage. “We have moulded our desire to be fashion forward with a consumer first approach. The campaign, as well as the store, is an idealistic pursuit of championing our national heroes and the abundance of natural beauty found in Pakistan.”

What is interesting about the choice of brand ambassadors is that they exude the brand’s style personally. The rugged look sported by Khan translates very well with the simplistic feel of the men’s section, using recycled pipes, container metal and wood giving the store a really grungy yet eco-friendly feel; the spacious changing rooms created out of moving containers add character to the store. Step up onto the women’s section the entire mood of the store changes to a more vintage feminine touch. Meesha’s edginess translates well with the feel of the store and the new campaign. Khan along with ‘Denim Forever’ Stoneage will also be launching their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative in November 2012. In efforts to launch his motorcycle foundation, Khan wants to use this to impart motorcycle riding lessons to the women of Pakistan.

“Made in Pakistan is something I long to hear, it just doesn’t happen anymore and when it does you’re usually sceptical about what it might turn out to be,” says Khan, “the CSR work planned for the following year with projects like empowering women by teaching them how to ride motorcycles, is going to help liberate Pakistani women and that just sweetens the deal.”

http://tribune.com.pk/story/454793/stoneages-patriotic-campaign-mad...

[Riaz Haq]

Here's a VOA report on Pakistani fashions in India:

The Pakistan Fashion Design Council has entered the Indian market to sell clothes by Pakistani designers to Indian customers. The initiative to open its first store in India comes amid recent efforts by the two rivals to improve trade ties.

The festival and wedding season is approaching in India and thousands of women are scouring the market for new outfits.

This year, they have a new stop - a flagship store of the Pakistan Fashion Design Council opened in an upscale neighborhood in the Indian capital. On display is a collection of intricately embroidered bridal wear, as well as garments by 18 Pakistani designers. They come in a mix of bright oranges, reds and yellows that appeal to Indians, as well as pastel colors that are more popular in Pakistan.

Well-known Pakistani fashion designer Khadijah Shah is in New Delhi to showcase her 2013 bridal collection. She says India presents massive potential.

http://m.voanews.com/1531484.html

[Riaz Haq]

Here's a Just Style report on increase in Pak textile exports in first quarter of FY 2012-13:

Pakistan's textile and clothing exports increased by 3% to US$3.27bn during the first quarter of the current fiscal year, thanks to higher demand from Europe and the United States.

According to data released by the Pakistan's Federal Bureau of Statistics, exports of woven ready-made garments went up by 10% to $448m in the three months from July through September. The fiscal year 2013 runs from July 2012 to June 2013.

Exports of cotton yarn surged by 39% to $531m, and cotton fabrics grew by 5% to $670m. Exports of knitted garments, however, dropped by 10% to $555m during the period.

Footwear exports fell 10% to US$25m, against $27m last year. The drop was led by a 61% fall in exports of canvas footwear and a decline of 12% in leather footwear.

A spokesperson from the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) told just-style that a waiver in EU import duties and improved domestic energy supplies have been supporting the growth in shipments.

Ejaz Khokhar, former chairman of the Readymade Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA), added that clothing makers in Pakistan anticipate the EU's GSP+ facility in 2014 could boost textile and clothing exports by $1bn in one year.

http://www.just-style.com/news/textile-and-clothing-exports-up-3-in...