When Shahneela Faruqui and Pakistan’s style icon Aliya Zaidi sent out invites to 230 guests in Hong Kong, to showcase the works of designers Rizwan Beyg, Faiza Samee, Ayesha Farook Hashwani, it was an eye-opening event and an education. A look behind the scenes of a thriving fashion community tucked away in a region that gets little international press on what happens behind the glistering seams. So the aptly titled night, An Evening of Fashion and Style, kicked off an elegant evening.
Of the awesome threesome of designers who flew in from Karachi, Beyg is the face of the establishment as his sartorial creations have donned the likes of Jemima Khan and the late Princess Diana, “I got introduced to Lady Diana by Jemima, who’s an old friend. Diana was an amazing model as had the height and such grace. For her I created a pearl-studded outfit – I knew how much she liked pearls – and it was flattering to her complexion,” said the stage-shy designer, who ran off from the spotlight when it hit him at the end of the show. “I wasn’t a fan of the late Princess before, but after meeting her, you can’t help but love her. She was sheer elegance.”
As the international girls from Vivien Li’s Lotus Models hit the catwalk in a an array of multi-coloured creations, Beyg said, “I wish people knew that there is such a thing as a fashion community in Pakistan and we aren’t just making designer burkhas! The couture work, the hand-crafted, embroidered, rich-fabrics and bejeweled items – there’s a world out there.”At the Aberdeen Marina Club, we saw a few notable faces in the crowd who got glimpse of that sizzling sartorial world, including, Purviz Shroff, Bhagwanti Mohan, Avisha Harilela, Shirley Hiranand, Reyna Harilela, Divia Harilela, Janana Suleymanli, Radhe Chellaram, Harry Banga and Indra Banga among others, who stayed well into the night as a charity auction culminated the evening.
Without question, the star of the night was Aliya Zaidi, aptly supported by her cheering husband Asghar Ali. Said the statuesque former supermodel, “I wanted to showcase the established and the rising stars of the fashion industry from Pakistan. Each outfit we auctioned was picked up – and all the money goes to The Citizens Foundation, a charity that provides education to underprivileged children. Seeing the response, I hope we can do this event every year. Creating awareness, education and a fun, fashionable night out.”
Beauty with a purpose indeed.
By P. Ramakrishnan
(e-mail: ramakrishnanp@hotmail.com)
Such a fun event! As always, had overbooked and said yes to everyone that night with Kee's anniversary bash, the party in TST and this event. Jingerz (aka Jing Zhang, fashion editor at SCMP) and I arrived just in time for the first catwalk show - as Beyg's work hit the spotlight.
ReplyDeleteWe had, without question, the best table in the room. Apart from location, had the most fun table, with the bril Huma Qureshi who kept us informed and entertained throughout the evening. Asghar was in fine form too while the designers spoke about their work.
Aliya was a force of nature juggling the event, the designers, the table, making sure we were ok, greeting everyone - apparently she does know anyone/everyone in HK worth knowing!
R