woman
We have often come across the term master class, right? But many of us don’t exactly know what it actually means! Basically, this term is defined as a class taught by someone who has an expert knowledge or skill in a particular area - usually music, but also painting, drama, any of the arts, or on any other occasion where skills are being developed. Are you wondering what we are on about? Well, recently, the Australian High Commission, Australian Trade Commission partnered with Dawood Global Foundation (DGF) to hold Australian Fashion Master class powered by Ladiesfund. The master class was held at the Indus Valley School of Art & Architecture (IVS), featuring trainer Heidi Phillips from RMIT Melbourne, Australia.
Almost 100 fashion designers and students were in attendance including star designers Sania Maskatiya, Tena Durrani, Adnan Pardesy, Nida Azwer and Aamna Aqeel, women SME designers, artisan designers from villages and textile students at IVS, as well as leading fashion journalists. The chief guest at the event was Australian High Commissioner HE Margaret Adamson.
At the venue, creations by leading designers Sania Maskatiya and Tena Durrani were placed on mannequins for classroom discussion, as well as those of SME designers Shaheen Khan (Khanz Designs) and Bushra Adnan. Designs by selected IVS students were also shown through a powerpoint of sketches. There was an interactive workshop that featured critiques of sample design pieces from an Australian view, with Ms. Philips sharing her thoughts on how to tweak designs to appeal to the Australian market.
According to High Commissioner Margaret Adamson, “Pakistani fashion design and textile industry are important contributors to Pakistan’s economic growth, and can promote a contemporary and vibrant image of Pakistan around the world. Through this initiative, we are pleased to support Pakistani women entrepreneurs to establish themselves in international markets, including Australia.”
Professor Shehnaz Ismail said, “Indus Valley is delighted to support Ladiesfund and the Australian Trade Commission and High Commission for an interactive workshop with a visiting Melbourne fashion trainer. Our students surely must have benefitted from the critiques of their work as well as mixing with leading fashion designers, SME designers and fashion journalists.”
The event was followed by high tea and a tour of IVS. All in all, this event proved to be a great success. Kudos to the entire team for organising such events on a regular basis to support and encourage women entrepreneurs who want to make a difference!
- M. Shirazi
wardrobe
Bling it up
Get ready, there is good news for all fashionistas and brides-to-be of Karachi! The popular designer who always has something innovative up her sleeve recently opened up her first ever outlet in the metropolitan city. Wondering who we are talking about? It’s none other than Zainab Chottani - a designer whose clothing line exudes class.
For those who don’t know much about the designer, Zainab is known for her minimal and clean design aesthetic. She has also showcased her designs locally and internationally. She is famous mostly for her prêt, couture, and intricately embellished bridals.
The Zainab Chottani flagship store, located at Bukhari Commercial, Karachi includes a walk-in retail outlet and a bridal studio by appointment only.
The much awaited store was launched with an event by Walnut where members of the press as well as many celebs were in attendance including Sharmila Farooqi, Sonya Khan, Nighat Misbah, Laiqa Hasan, Mahvish Hasan, designers Maheen Khan, Deepak Perwani, YBQ, Umer Sayeed, Mahin Hussain and Sanam Chaudhri. At the event models Nadia Hussain, Rubya Chaudhry, Areeba Habib and Sunita Marshal were seen sporting beautiful creations by the designer.
Regarding the opening of her store and her clothing line, the designer stated, “I wanted to raise the fashion quotient along with the standards of quality that is being offered to the Pakistani consumer today.”
Without a doubt, the designer stands true to her promise and has created formal and bridal wear that are guaranteed to make heads turn. Looking more into the store, the decor is a pleasant sight and will leave any customer that walks in with awe. The designer has focused on achieving a sophisticated yet creative and modern decor by adding in decorative life sized bird cages and beautiful flowers hanging on the walls. Yes, the design element is worth a mention because it is the decor that triggers the mood of the shopper. So go ahead guys, it is shopping time.
