Bowling for Pakistan

Jagmeeta Thind Roy,who has written before for Unfashion,has been following the story of Pakistani chic since the Indo-Pak match in Mohali during the 2011 World Cup. I invited her to write in and she has chosen Sahar Atif,a leading Pakistani designer as her subject. Heres what she says:

Fashion Bonhomie
The first time I saw what Begums across the border truly dressed like was while watching the historic India-Pakistan during ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. The semi-final match played at PCA stadium in Mohali brought in its share of visitors from across the border.

The ladies were hard to miss,dressed vibrantly in long georgette and chiffon kurtas paired with palazzo pants the Pakistani version of the Punjabi salwar. More than match updates,contemporaries this side of the fence discussed and even tweeted wardrobe comparisons. Long after the Begums departed back to Pakistan,fashionistas of Punjab swapped the Patiala salwars for the Pakistani shalwar instead. Boutique owners were flooded with queries including ladies coming to them with newspaper clippings of the outfits. A story was in the making and was reported by me.

Today,as I get news of a Lifestyle Pakistan show,a first of its kind,four-day showcase trade exhibition thats set to roll out at Pragati Maidan,New Delhi from April 12 to 15,I can well imagine the excitement it will generate in the region. Whats more the evenings of the exhibition will see four fashion shows by the countrys leading textile and design houses,followed by dinner and a musical gala.

According to the organisers,8221;Lifestyle Pakistan in India has encouraged the participation of top Pakistani lifestyle and fashion chain 8216;ChenOne8217; to participate.8221; This leading Pakistani brand,I am told,is looking to spread wings by taking a leap in the Indian market.

ChenOne,for the uninitiated,is popular for home furnishings and more recently their lawn collection 8216;Pareesa8217;. Further,for this project,one of Pakistan8217;s leading designer Sahar Atif has styled the collection to be showcased at one of the shows.

Sahar,as the photographs that accompany the release show,has put together her signature style of free flowing fabric drapes that boast of floral prints mostly. Asymmetric and handkerchief hemlines,cowl and halter necklines all add to the modernity of prints into a cutting edge silhouette bringing together a very energetic and statement making collection.

Born in Pakistan,Sahar is a former student of Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design PIFD. Graduating from the premier batch in 1998,Sahar then went to pursue a degree in fashion marketing in the United States,a course which hadn8217;t yet been explored in her home country. Upon her return she joined PIFD as a founding member of fashion marketing program. She also went on to set up the department of Design and Textile in collaboration with Cambridge University.

Having established herself in the fashion academic circles,Sahar then channeled her creativity into bringing about her own label 8216;SAAI8217; which focuses mainly on bridal,formal and pret womenswear. A slice of which one will get to see at Lifestyle Pakistan.

Jagmeeta Thind Joy is principal correspondent with the Express features team based in Chandigarh. She writes on food and fashion.