In recent years, many old and new designers have introduced innovation in contemporary and traditional wears of Pakistan. The credit goes to Pakistani Fashion Schools who are training competent Pakistani designers in collaboration with prominent national and international institutes of the world.

Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design (Former PSFD) is a graduate school for fashion design located in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The Pakistani Fashion School was founded in 1995 and is known as the pre-eminent Pakistani fashion school. PIFD was the first institution to offer graduate training in fashion design in Pakistan. It is affiliated with Les Ecoles de la Chambre Syndicale Parisienne in Paris, France. Continue reading…

Day 4 marked the closing day of PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week, February 2010, in Lahore. Day 4 was buzzing with fashion, music and high drama! The evening’s opening show was staged by Karachi based designer Nomi Ansari, with his collection “The Circus of Life”. This collection was a celebration of colour, layers and textures fused with a stylized and festive silhouette.  His collection symbolised the re creation of fabrics through the use of innovative techniques along with a varied mixture of chiffons, silks, cottons, voiles, organzas, laces, crepes and nets. ‘The Circus of Life’ was Nomi Ansari’s most vibrant collection to date and will feature a variety of accessories, bustiers, jackets, skinnies, skirts, tops, drapes and volume.

Fashion designer Nomi Ansari launched his eponymous label the same year he graduating from the Pakistan School of Fashion Design in 2001. He is best known for his unique command over diverse colour palettes and his bold cuts fused with traditional and intricate embroidery. Nomi Ansari has showcased his label across the UK, USA, India, Singapore, UAE and Malaysia and in Pakistan; he was awarded Designer of the Year in 2005 and best womenswear Designer at the Pakistan Style Awards in 2007. Continue reading…

Day 3 - PFDC Fashion Week 2010

An amalgam of excitement, colour, glitz and glamour, Day 3 at PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week opened with the husband and wife duo, Sarah Salman showcasing their Spring/Summer 2010 Prêt a Porter collection, aimed at today’s women, entitled ‘Beautiful Me’.  Based in a diversity of fabrics including chiffon, satin and lace, the ‘Beautiful Me’ collection focused on elegant and easy to wear silhouettes with embellishment mainly in swarovski, sequins and stones and a palatte of colours in an overall S/S 2010 look which is not age focussed but rather conceived for a mindset willing to experiment and have fun with their fashion.

Launched originally in 1997 with the vision of creating unique bridal wear, elegant formal wear and trendy ready to wear, Sarah Salman the brand has taken part in a variety of international exhibitions and fashion shows, the most recent being at Sheridan Manchester where the brand launched formal bridal wear for British Asians. Continue reading…

PFDC Fashion Week 2010

[Lahore: 16 February 2010]  An exciting initiative by the Pakistan Fashion Design Council (PFDC) and Sunsilk, February 16th – 19th 2010 marks the debut of their first ever fashion week in Pakistan. PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week will be held in the historic city of Lahore and will feature 4 days of fashion by over 32 designers, encompassing both the leading names from the industry as well as emerging talents. Each day will feature 8 ramp shows with 8 distinct designers who will showcase 20 creations from their respective collections. The debut PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week will be styled and choreographed by the creative team at Sabs the Salon and managed by Catwalk Productions with Public Relations by Lotus.

Participating designers include Ali Xeeshan, Ammar Belal, Asifa & Nabeel, Asian Institute of Fashion Design, Body Focus Museum, Élan by Khadija Shah, Hajra Hayat, Hoorain, HSY, Kamiar Rokni, Karma, Khaadi, Maria B, Mehdi, Munib Nawaz, Muse, Nayna, Nickie Nina, Nida Azwer, Nomi Ansari, Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design, Rehana Saigol, Rouge, Saai by Sahar Atif, Sadaf Malaterre, Sarah Salman, Shaiyanne Malik, Sobia Nazir, Sublime by Sara Shahid, Tazeen Hasan, Teejays by Feeha Jamshed, Yahsir Waheed, YBQ. Continue reading…

Following the success of LABELS in Karachi, chief executive Zahir Rahimtoola brings LABELS to Lahore on the 29th of January 2010 as an exciting franchise with businesswoman Sowaba Shehzad.

Indeed LABELS has come a long way; from humble beginnings in Karachi, the outlet is currently among Pakistan’s premier multi-designer stores’ retailing fine clothing, accessories, hand bags and precious jewellery essentially catering to the strong and independent woman of Pakistan. The current Labels campaign including Pakistan’s most watched television anchors and personalities can be seen across all major magazines and supplements. Indeed it is reflective of the Labels philosophy and ethos which is to make women not only look stunning but also feel spectacular; making sure that the woman of substance is no doubt the woman of Labels.

In Lahore, LABELS introduces a diversity of accessible fashion by Anisa Khan, Chamak by Sania MaskAtiya and Abida Dada, Flair by Naureen Fayyaz, Freeha Baqir, Jannat & Sadaf, Labels’ eponymous line, Mina Hassan, Nadya Mistry, Natasha Daultana, Naureen Arbab, SadiyaNadiya, Sanam Chaudhri, Somal Halepoto and Aliya Agha Nguyen. Speaking about opening in Lahore, Zahir has said:

“Thanks to the pioneers of the fashion industry of Lahore, there is a vibrant retail environment with a far greater awareness of designer branded collections. This has emboldened us to return to Lahore (Labels was originally opening at the Pearl Continental in 1998). This is the first franchise store for Labels which makes it all the more exciting. We intend to mix local sensibilities with its own 15 years of retail experience and indeed bring to Lahore our unique philosophy of catering to a cross section of the women of Pakistan. We are particularly pleased to have Ms. Sowaba Shehzad partner with us in Lahore as she has a number of years of corporate experience and we trust her experience will help further enhance the service levels of LABELS Lahore.”

The opening of LABELS also coincides with the launch of exclusive home accessories brand SOUVENIR, on the first floor of the outlet. As the French name suggests, SOUVENIR encourages the spirit of taking home a ‘memory’. The brand carries home décor pieces ranging from Candle Stands, Coffee Tables, Chairs, Consoles, Ottomans, Tea Boxes, Coasters, Mirrors, Frames and Book Ends in a combination mostly comprising of wood with ceramic textures, a mosaic aesthetic and hand painted surfaces. SOUVENIR is an independent project by Sowaba Shehzad, currently Ceo of ALNO German kitchens and interiors. Speaking about introducing a LABELS franchise and debuting her own brand SOUVENIR in Lahore, Sowaba Shehzad, has said

“Bringing LABELS to Lahore is part of our company’s vision for diversification. Being Pakistan’s first multi brand store and having a unique brand character makes us confident of LABELS being able to carve out its own niche here in Lahore. I am also launching my own home décor brand SOUVENIR simultaneously, which is also part of our horizontal diversification strategy catering to the same market segment as LABELS and our other brands.”

LABELS Lahore opens for retail at 6 PM on the 29th of January [Friday] at 194 Y Block, DHA, Lahore.

About Labels:

Labels emerged onto a non-existent fashion scene in 1996 in Karachi, and pioneered casual western clothing in Pakistan. Since its inception, Labels has always been a proactive store and has thus evolved a number of times keeping in line with ongoing international fashion trends.

Zahir Rahimtoola’s vision has come a long way; from a humble beginning Labels has become Pakistan’s premier multi-designer store retailing fine clothing, accessories, hand bags and precious jewellery essentially catering to the strong and independent woman of Pakistan. Indeed, Labels opened the first Original Levis store in Pakistan retailing Levis & Dockers products and in the past has also retailed some of Pakistan’s most prestigious designers including Maheen Khan, Deepak Perwani, Nayna, Samyra Rashid, Nomi Ansari and Gulabo.

Currently, Labels Karachi retails Maheen Kareem, Jannat & Sadaf, James Abidi, SadiyaNadiya, Pash, Zara Shajahan, Elan, Chamak, Mina Hasan, N.Ali, Belladonna, Anisa Khan, Levi Strauss Signature, United Colors of Benetton and their own eponymous affordable line headed by young designer Hala Syed.

In Lahore, Labels now introduces Anisa Khan, Chamak by Sania Maskatiya and Abida Dada, Flair by Naureen Fayyaz, Freeha Baqir, Jannat & Sadaf, Labels, Mina Hassan, Nadya Mistry, Natasha Daultana, Naureen Arbab, Sadiya Nadiya, Sanam Chaudhri, Sarah Gilani, Somal Halepoto and Aliya Agha Nguyen.

The current Labels campaign including Pakistan’s most watched television anchors and personalities can be seen across all major magazines and supplements. Indeed it is reflective of the Labels philosophy and ethos which is to make women not only look stunning but also feel spectacular; making sure that the woman of substance is no doubt the woman of Labels.

About Souvenir:

Bringing to Pakistan her creative aesthetic, Sowaba Shehzad introduces her home accessories brand Souvenir. Located at the first floor of Labels in Lahore, Souvenir includes a versatile range of home décor pieces ranging from Candle Stands, Coffee Tables, Chairs, Consoles, Ottomans, Tea Boxes, Coasters, Mirrors, Frames and Book Ends in a combination mostly comprising of wood with ceramic textures, a mosaic aesthetic and hand painted surfaces.

With plans to launch Souvenir globally, Sowaba aims to promote Pakistani Handicrafts and accessories making Souvenir accessible to all feelings, relations and occasions one wants to celebrate.

In Pakistan winter is definitely upon us. Goodbye to harsh summer of Pakistan, it’s time to whip out the winter coat and start planning your winter wardrobe. In Pakistan shalwar kameez is easy to wear and feminine, but separates allow you to stretch your wardrobe much further. In fashion of Pakistan jeans, skirts and trousers can take on so many differently new looks with a change of the shirt or top you wear with it.

Wear a top under your coat, so when the coat goes off, you can show off your gorgeous new look. In fashion of Pakistan black lace top is really big this season. In Pakistan tops with a big bow are also in fashion not tops with small ribbons but one giant bow around the collar of a buttoned up top. In

Fashion is a trend that has fast become an epidemic in Pakistan. A pre-requisite to this necessary fashion epidemic is beauty. Pakistan has fallen prey to the international phenomenon of no compromise on beauty. Beauty is the baby step one needs to take to be accepted in the Pakistan fashion world.

Beauty is not all about pretty faces or about fair and lovely; Pakistan fashion has little more depth than that. Beauty in these new times of extreme fashion mania in Pakistan is more about self maintenance. In Pakistan Beauty is mostly wrongly interpreted as physical appearance and looks solely. Beauty is more of a characteristic which gives reason for appreciation. Hence beauty is an excuse to experience pleasure. Beauty is physical well being combined with emotional well being topped by mental well being. Beauty is only complete once well being has been achieved in all dimensions.

Fashion is a vast arena. Fashion doesn’t confine imagination. Fashion is not conformed by any one definition of fashion. Fashion is beauty one step ahead. Fashion blends beauty with style and trend. The perfect blend of these components and voila you have a fashion diva at your disposal. Fashion and beauty are so inter connected that fashion and beauty cannot be separated from one another. In Pakistan beauty and fashion have been highly influenced by culture. Therefore it is hardly surprising that in Pakistan fashion and beauty have become heavily commercialized.

Commercials in Pakistan have created a false sense of ‘ideal beauty’. This ideal beauty is being sold to the masses in Pakistan in the name of conformity with the Pakistan fashion. We live in times where consumer is being trained to endorse fashion and beauty as part of their everyday routine.

However the wrong assumption is how beauty and fashion cannot be cheaply acquired in Pakistan. Neither beauty nor fashion requires heavy cash spending in Pakistan. Both fashion and beauty can be conformed to at economical rates even in Pakistan.

Here are some easy tips to follow at home to keep your beauty rejuvenated. There are many beauty tips that are home based. Honey is a regular home product; try using honey everyday for fifteen minutes. When you will wash your face your skin will young and glowing. See beauty is not exactly as difficult as they make it out to be.

Beauty compliments fashion; fashion compliments beauty.

Fashion is not the Hercules we make it out to be. It is as every day as beauty is. Consider beauty a fore-runner to the world of fashion and style.

Pakistani Fashion Industry has achieved a well-reputed place among the leading Style & Fashion Industries of the world. There are certain motivation & dedication of many Fashion promoters, behind the success of the Pakistani Fashion industry.

Recently Pakistani Fashion industry has proudly produced a fashion affair named, Pakistan Fashion week 2009. This Fashion event was held in the city of lights, Karachi; so also termed as Karachi Fashion week. The duration of the Pakistan Fashion week was 4-7 November, 2009 and approximately 32 designers from all over the Pakistan participated the Pakistan Fashion week. In this way all the designers have got the chance through Pakistan Fashion week to showcase their designed work at national level.

Many Fashion celebrities, Fashion lovers & followers have appreciated the Pakistan Fashion week 2009, a lot. Among other interesting things about the Fashion affair, one was the soothing & romantic environment, venue of the Karachi Pakistan Fashion week. Furthermore, the most admirable thing of the Pakistan Fashion week 2009 was, the clothes, and the fabric & material used to prepare them, the designers who designed them, and the models, all were true Pakistani.

Pakistan Fashion week offered an opportunity to the designers, not only to showcase their designed work and to promote their labels but also through Pakistan Fashion week designers got the chance to expand their market value. The ready-to-wear and bridal lines of the designers in Pakistan Fashion week were highly appreciated in the country’s largest fashion event. The four-day event of the Pakistan Fashion week was consist of 16 ramp shows, exhibition stalls by different designers, and business seminars too.

Many renowned designers presented their designed formal & casual outfits, bridal wear, party wear, western wear, jackets, and accessories etc, in the Pakistan Fashion week. Some renowned designers included Rezwan Beyg, Deepak Parwani, Maheen Khan etc, have showcased their work. Besides senior designers, some emerging designers avail this golden opportunity of presenting themselves in front of the Pakistan Fashion celebrities.

Besides some other remarkable advantages, Pakistan Fashion week also proved as one of the light and entertaining events for the nation, these days; when the air is dangerously threatening the people with any sudden bad news at any time. Although, because of the security concerns, Pakistan Fashion week had to be postponed two times and then arranged on the replaced venue; as life has to move on.

The Karachi Fashion week was started by following the respect of ‘Woman first’ as Sonya Battla, a Pakistani Fashion designer commenced the Pakistan Fashion week. Her collection was like a tribute the mixed cultured women. Then the Feeha Jamshed’s khaki (Army’s dress) colored outfits amazed the audience of the Pakistan Fashion week. Ismail Farid’s comprehensive collection of monochrome martial in the Pakistan Fashion week was acknowledging the Pakistan’s army soldiers who devoted their lives in the war against terrorism.

Almost all the Fashion assortment of the designers in the Pakistan Fashion week 2009 was representing the ‘Gesture of Defiance to the Taliban’, in a true sense.

In this way, Pakistan Fashion week 2009 presented the positive image and conveyed a good message to the whole world.

There is hardly a woman that doesn’t let fashion dictate her lifestyle. Day in day out fashion is important in every aspect of life. Dress gets the most attention since what you wear can never be possible anything but fashion defining.

A few basics for the fashion conscious so you never go wrong with fashion again not even if you feel you have far too many flaws to be talking about fashion:

• A straight cut and full legged dress bottoms will hide large thighs.
• When you are wearing a white dress top, wear a bra close to your skin colour.
• To hide wide hips, try an a-line style dress.
• Give a new updated look to an old dress top by sewing on new buttons.
• Pleats add pounds.
• If a dress doesn’t fit, have it altered, otherwise that dress will go out of fashion and stay unworn.
• Pin a safety pin to the inside of your slacks in case of an emergency. If a button comes off or the zipper breaks you will be prepared.

Fashion is customized; adopt it according to your needs. Wear what looks right on you and wear it in a way that’s right for you.

(DUBAI, Sep 8, 2009) Fashion Designer Sara Shahid takes her critically acclaimed label Sublime to multi label boutique Soirée in Dubai with an exclusive capsule collection on the 8th of September. Her presence at Soirée in Dubai is a natural extension of Sublime’s retail network across Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. Speaking about adding a new city and destination to Sublime, Sara has said: “It has been a proactive and busy summer for Sublime with the launch of our summer collections and Sublime.T. I feel now extending ourselves to Soirée is a natural progression and culmination to Sublime’s summer. The clientele in Dubai has always been great which is why I wanted to have a permanent base in the city. Soirée’s high end yet accessible fashion ethos and culture is synonymous with Sublime’s which makes this relationship instinctive and exciting.”

Sublime’s debut capsule collection at Soirée comprises of pieces from three distinct lines including:

SUBLIME DIVINE:
A couture line, made with rich ethnic pure silks, jamawars and chiffon fabrics. The embroideries are intricate with exclusive Sublime motifs carefully crafted by hand. Weddings, bridals, trousseaus, gowns for all special occasions, this line carries a variety of designs.

SIMPLY SUBLIME:
This ready-to-wear line is purely silhouette based. With completely western designing and cuts, this contemporary line has little or no embellishment and follows an international fashion forecast.

SUBLIME BY SARA:
Light to medium embellished tailored outfits with emphasis on superior cuts. A ready to wear line with attention to variety in design, produced in local fabrics with traditional embroidered motifs. Sublime By Sara prides itself on a subtle fusion of east and west making these outfits stand out locally and internationally.

In true Middle Eastern Ramadan spirit, this event will be a ‘fashion suhoor’ at the boutique and will also include and coincide with the introduction of other Pakistani and Middle Eastern designers.

Sublime will be available for retail from September 8 2009 exclusively at Soirée in Dubai.

ABOUT SARA SHAHID’S SUBLIME
In 1997, Sara Shahid graduated from London with a degree in fashion marketing and design. She returned to Pakistan and launched her career as a designer and partner at ‘Sub Culture’ in 1998. Five years into her vocation, this connoisseur of craft is an acclaimed entrepreneur and fashion icon.  The year 2003 witnessed the launch of the independent label ‘Sublime’ - Sara Shahid’s brainchild and already a five time nominee of Pakistan’s most coveted LUX Style Award. This year Sublime has been nominated as the Best Prêt Designer.

Sublime believes in capturing the quintessence of feminism and natural beauty of a woman, with style. The central focus is the being of a woman.  The designs are a fuse of the east with the west, where the finest from the past is blended with the contemporary.  The results are classic outfits with unassuming, understated glamour. An advocate of simplicity and minimalism, Sara particularly emphasizes on the colour, tailored cut, comfort, drape and intricate embellishment of her outfits.

The Sublime fashion house features four lines; ‘Sublime Sara’ – the prêt line which includes eastern and western wear, ‘Sublime Divine’ – couture based and bridals and the ‘Sublime Women Entrepreneur Project’ – pieces handcrafted by women who possess skill, but lack the opportunity of being able to pursue a career beyond their homes.  The concept translates into social responsibility, of which Sara Shahid is a loyal supporter.  A recent addition, ‘Fab Sublime’ saw the successful launch of the label’s fourth line earlier this year and features a limited edition of exclusive, screen printed chiffons and a ready to wear line from the same fabric.  Sublime also has on offer limited edition seasonal accessories which have previously included leather bags, belts and printed shawls.

Sara’s design expertise and versatility have enabled her to share her talent both within Pakistan and abroad, where she assumes the role of a fashion ambassador and makes a concerted effort to promote a progressive image of Pakistan.  She has showcased her collection in Hong Kong at a fundraiser for the victims of the earthquake that hit northern Pakistan in 2005 and, on separate occasions partook in a Silk Route fundraiser and Bridal Festival in Los Angeles.  Earlier this year in Pakistan, Sublime was seen on the ramp at the reopening launch of The Designers and also showcased collections as part of the Pakistan Fashion Design Council, twice: In December 2008 at their annual fashion show and in June 2009 as a fund raising endeavour for Pakistan’s Internally Displaced Persons.  The LUX Style Awards nominated Sublime in Dubai (2004), Karachi (2006), Malaysia (2007) and Karachi (2008) in their best Prêt a Porter category.

The Sublime Sara Winter Line, ‘Live Life, Live Sublime’ introduced in winter 2008-2009 set trends by utilizing the medium of fashion as a platform to reflect a social situation – indeed a commentary based collection which was showcased on the PFDC ramp in Lahore in December 2008 to much acclaim.  Sara Shahid introduced her ‘Real Woman’, campaign this Spring in addition to the launch of the limited edition, eco friendly and patriotic label, Sublime-T. In spirit of patriotism, Sara launched Sublime-T’s freedom collection to celebrate Pakistan Independence day on August 14. This September Sara will be launching Sublime at multi label fashion house ‘Soirée’ in Dubai.

Sublime’s boutique and stocked outlets include:

Soirée is Dubai’s first high-end, multi-brand Pakistani boutique. Elegant embroidery, sumptuous silks and Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage feature heavily in the designs showcased in the chic two-storey showroom.

At Soirée, the most prominent designers from Pakistan are brought together under one roof for the first time in the region, allowing fashionistas the opportunity to own this season’s latest creations straight from the catwalks of Karachi and Lahore. Designers on display include: Umar Sayeed, Rizwan Beyg, Deepak Perwani, Shamaeel, Maheen Karim, Nadiya Kassam, Sana Safinaz, Nida Azwer, HSY, Kamiar Rokhni and Nadya Shah. Many of these talented artists have never shown their collections outside of Pakistan.

Dedicated to designs that encapsulate the beauty of Pakistan’s luxury fashion scene, the name ‘Soirée’ was inspired by the shimmering glamour of embellished eveningwear. The comprehensive womenswear selection comprises bridal wear, saris, ensembles, tunics, dresses, jackets, embellished denim and kaftans. The range of accessories and striking accoutrements include beautiful Swarovski encrusted bags and shoes, perfect for parties or special events.

Soireé’s menswear selection features shirts, formal sherwanis, shawls and shoes, ideal for groomswear or formal occasions. In addition, a beautiful range of jalabeyas are available for the store’s Arabic clientele.

Soirée is also committed to encouraging the flair of up-and-coming Pakistani designers to blossom. A section of the boutique is therefore dedicated to displaying the designs of future ‘ones-to-watch’, such as Simoneel Sidiki, Huda Savul and Chamak. Local talent is also supported in the store that highlights designers such as Natasha Jethwani, who is gaining wide recognition for her stunning pieces of jewellery.