he always interesting Adnan Pardesy had been strangely missing from the scene in the last year, as most brands started coming back to life. In the absence of fashion weeks and showcases, we got fashion ‘happenings’, that would make both Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst proud, and e-commerce became a buzzword, with all kinds of vendors in every category turning to technology to sustain their businesses.

While the adaptive innovation is refreshing and such a good sign for the future, the hot excitement of watching a new collection debuting live remains unmatched. The thrill of global trends translating locally, and local craftsmanship making its way to high couture is electrifying; it is one of the indicators of a world-wide need at this time: creative progress, and progressive creativity.

Pardesy is part of the crop of creatives that bloomed during Pakistan’s very first regulated fashion showcases, and built on his portfolio steadily. He has confidently handled fabric and architectural structure in his designs, and never shied away from making a statement.

In a recent collaboration with stylist Tabesh Khoja, Pardesy once again effortlessly shaped denim into couture.

“Tabesh called me and told me what he wanted to do,” Pardesy says, “and it sounded fun, so I was on board.”

Pardesy delivered eight pieces to Khoja within two days, and as he talks about it, he says, “denim is a fabric I can handle in my sleep.”

What the denim collection, which was made according to styling demands instead of the usual vice versa, was excellent, it did suddenly alert us to the fact that Pardesy, who is one of the avant-garde designers one would most expect to take advantage of new media to express himself, hasn’t done so. In fact, his official Instagram page has lain dormant for about two years now.

Adnan Pardesy isn’t shy about sharing what has kept him away.

“I poured all my money into my new outlet, and then had to shut it down because of the economic challenges COVID-19 brought with it. If I am very honest, my heart was broken, and my soul was crushed.

“I have been working, not on a very large scale, or even a medium one, and my clients have been consistent and supportive. But at the moment, turning my sketches and ideas into actual designs isn’t a priority.”

The designer, who is getting married next month, says he wants to, “take care of upcoming responsibilities,” before he gets back to the drawing board, and at the same time, is a visiting lecturer at a couple of different universities.

– Amina Baig

– Style shoot by MHM