A stylish cross-border exchange

Fashion knows no bounds and what strongly reiterates this statement is the growing interest of Pakistans elite in Indian fashion designers or even viceversa When Indian multidesigner store Karmik opened shop in Lahore in November last year it reaffirmed the fact that Pakistani cities like Lahore and Karachi and to an extent Islamabad are gradually becoming potential hotspots of Indian designer wear And since a new market is always welcome several designers are making a beeline to woo Pakistans fashionistasDelhibased designer Ranna Gills collection is available in LahoreA line drawn by politics does not divide fashion We were one country at one point in time and ethnic Indian wear is famous on both sides of the borderWe have very similar design sensibilities so there is no reason that launching a space for Indian designers there wouldnt have worked says Pradeep Hirani CMD Karmik The store stocks collections by various Indian designers including JJ Valaya Rohit Bal Rocky S Rina Dhaka Ritu Beri Anamika Khanna Falguni amp Shane Peacock Kavita Bhartiya Neeta Lulla Ranna Gill and Shantanu amp Nikhil to name a few and has received phenomenal response since its launchTwo countries one tasteAce Delhibased designer Ritu Kumar who is a known name in Pakistans fashion circuits and was one of the first to retail her collections there puts things into perspective The cultural aesthetics of both nations are similar we share a common historic tradition Indian designers hence have a demand for the traditional side of their lines in Pakistan I have sold there for at least 20 years now Though the designer has a franchise in Karachi she is looking towards expanding her presence in cities like Lahore and Islamabad as wellThe interiors of Karmik in Lahore that stocks collections of many Indian designersWhile Indian designers have woken up to the market potential of Pakistan people across the border feel that this trade relationship can also help inblurring barriers between the two countriesFashion like other forms of art is a nonpolitical language and an easy way to eliminate barriers It can work as a strong means to bring the two countries together Pakistan is a robust market for India since it is a growing retail market Also Bollywood influence is huge here so people wish to wear those designs informs Karachibased fashion designer Huma Adnan She informs that embroideries like Chikankari and Gara as well as traditional prints like Bandhni are very famous in PakistanAdnan who is part of Pakistans stardust culture brings to notice that she has often noticed socialites in Pakistan sporting ensembles by Tarun Tahiliani Ritu Kumar Satya Paul and the current flavour of the season Sabyasachi Mukherjee Generally people like wearing Indian designers at weddingsPersonally I like Sabyasachi shares the designer who has showcased her collection in India a number of timesSabyasachis vintageinspired designs has been catching the eye of PakistanisVintage and all things BollywoodThrowing light on Mukherjees growing popularity in Pakistan Senior Karachibased fashion writer Aamna Haider Isani decodes the reasons for this inclination Theres a huge interest in Sabyasachi Mukherjee because of his eclectic style and oldworld aesthetic The vintage and classic Indian appeal is of interest to us mdash more than Westernised trends As for Sabyasachi his Bollywood connection and global recognition both add to his appealElaborating further on other aspects of Indian design that appeal to Pakistanis Isani states Pakistans fashionconscious love Indian sarees because of their authenticity We often joke about how still Pakistanis cannot cut a saree blouse and Indians cannot cut a shalwarA blue and white angrakha from designer Rohit Bals collection is an ethnic choice available in LahoreCompetition to break complacencyTaking the conversation to a serious level Isani comments that she would love to see more Indian brands coming to Pakistan not only for the creative liberation that they offer but also to jolt Pakistani designers out of complacency Like the import and screening of Indian films I feel Indian fashion can serve as healthy competition here It is important for official franchises of brands like Sabyasachi Mukherjee Manish Arora and Rohit Bal to open here and likewise for brands like Khaadi Sana Safinaz Shehla Chatoor and Sania Maskatiya etc to open in India Multiretail stores stocking capsule collections were a good beginning but the equation has to evolve now she suggestsDesigner SpeaksI would love to design all the women in Pakistan Also I feel that they need a change of fashion Since their dressing can be conservative and their styling hasnt changed a lot in all these years Indian designs can bring in new and contemporary cuts and silhouettes to their ensemblesmdash Anita Dongre fashion designer