London’s historic Lancaster House this weekend witnessed the first Pakistani celebration of fashion in its two hundred years history. The eleventh season of Pakistan Fashion Week London took place over the 20th and 21st May with over forty of Pakistan’s leading and emerging designers presenting their latest collections. Umar Saeed, Shameel Ansari, Sana Safinaz, Maria B and Maheen Khan headlined with leading Pakistani models Fouzia Aman, Fia khan and Eshal Fayyaz walking the ramp.
This weekends production, by leading event directors Riwayat led by the accomplished creative director Adnan Ansari, was a celebration of the 70th anniversary of Pakistan’s independence. Organised in partnership with the High Commission of Pakistan London, the event was one of a series of events planned by His Excellency Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UK.
Designer MaazJee paid tribute to founding father of Pakistan Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah with a collection inspired by his clothing, whilst a fusion of east-west designs from Maheen Khan and Shameem Ansari stole the show.
It was from Lancaster House that the Pakistani flag was sent to Pakistan’s first ever embassy at Lowndes Square in London. How fitting for thousands of Pakistani’s to return to Lancaster House some 70 years later to celebrate so much that is good about our country.
Over two thousand people registered for the event which saw a catwalk run through the three grand halls of the Royal Palace. Ambassadors from a large number of London based embassies joined the celebration. A nine room exhibition allowed the guests to talk with the designers and buy from their collections.
Fashion is one of Pakistan’s leading export industries and runs to a multi-billion pound industry and growing. Events profiling the leading names of that industry serve to challenge the west’s perceptions of Pakistan and increase the trading links between our two nations.
Adnan Ansari, Creative Director at Riwayat said “It was a privilege to work so closely with the High Commission to deliver this hugely successful event. Their commitment to deliver a truly inspiring event matched with Riwayat’s expertise and ability to deliver was a powerful force. We are so proud of our Pakistan and so proud to present it’s best face on a huge platform in London.”
The complete list of designers included Shamaeel Ansari, Hamna Amir, Agha Noor, Noor by Sadia Asad, Maria B, Aisha Imran, Sadaf Amir, Moazzam Abbasi, Shirin Hasan, Maaz Jee, Sana Safinaz, Zeeshan Bariwala, Ayesha Aejaz, Nihaan by Amina Bibi, Miral, Sana Farooq, Khaas, Asaaleh, Sonia Mahajan, Amour Faith Hope, Ahmad Hasan, Rizwan Ahmed, Maheen Khan, Shazia Kiyani, KJ Jewellers, Amina Badar, Cheena Chapara, Lajwanti, Gogi by Hassan Riaz, M Couture, Diva by Sana Rashid, Umsha by Uzma Babar, Cara by Imran Khaliq and Umer Saeed.
Photo credits : Shahid Malik
