Over the last few years, Pakistani fashion has been slowly but steadily making a mark globally. This month, the fashion industry gets further representation on a global scale with the participation of top couturier Faraz Manan as a speaker at the prestigious virtual conclave organized by the Asian Business Leadership Forum (ABLF). Faraz will be the first Pakistani to be featured at the Conclave, to be held on March 9, that has thus far hosted 8 incumbent Ministers and 43 global leaders.

Faraz Manan’s session, held under the title of ‘Global Storytellers at the ABLF’, will focus on the impact of COVID19 on the fashion industry as a whole and how it has restructured and reorganized itself to face the challenges. As the only South Asian designer to have a store in Dubai, Faraz - whose clientele ranges from Bollywood stars to royal family brides - will also throw light on the journey of South Asian fashion and its place in the global market.

Speaking exclusively to Instep he shared, “I am honoured that I am getting an opportunity to present Pakistani fashion on a global forum like the ABLF. As a brand, Faraz Manan has always stayed true to the South Asian ethos while being contemporary and global in outlook. The current pandemic has changed the face of fashion and it will be interesting to share my insights on how the Asian fashion industry can meet the challenges thrown up by COVID19.”

The ABLF is Asia’s most influential global leadership platform held in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Economy and under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Cabinet Minister and Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence. Established in 2007 in the UAE, the ABLF has engaged with luminaries in the field of business, politics, academia and social work through knowledge-led forums, conferences, an awards event and talk shows. Early in 2020, the ABLF pivoted to the digital format, organizing the ABLF Talks Live, a monthly virtual conclave that features thinkers and high achievers from around the world in conversations of consequence.

The forum has been headlined earlier by various influential names from celebrated Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee to global artist Sacha Jafri to Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist, WHO.

Along with Faraz Manan, some of the other speakers at the Conclave on March 9 are H.E. Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi (Minister of Climate Change and Environment, UAE), Dr Sama Bilbao y Leon (Director-General, World Nuclear Association), Rubana Huq (Managing Director, Mohammadi Group and President Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association) and Lord Meghnad Desai (Emeritus Professor of Economics, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK). In June 2021, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, H.E. Shaukat Aziz is also slated to join the conclave.

Faraz Manan’s session is timed from 3.25 PM – 3.55 PM (Dubai Time) and users can view the session by registering for free at www.ablf.com

Sadiq Saleem is a UAE based Pakistani writer. He can be contacted at www.sidsaidso.com