Black in Spring/Summer 2011 with Blaak

Both graduates of St. Martin’s of London, Sachiko Okada (British Japanese) and Aaron Sharif (British Pakistani) launced their label, Blaak, in 1998 on the premises of the color black—the consummation and totality of all colors.

For their 2011 spring/summer collection, the duo turns to stripes and knickers in a symmetrical silhouette with buckled straps and a shiny wet look.

View the collection here.

Photos Copyright Dan and Corina Lecca at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

Shahid Afridi: from Cricketer to Couturier

Shahid Afridi may not be known in all circles around the world, but his name is definitely a household hit on the Indian subcontinent, where he enjoys a massive following.

Born 1980, Shahid is a Pakistani cricketer on the national team in the international circuit.

An aggressive batter, Shahid has scored the highest strike rate in international cricket, earning himself the nickname “Boom, Boom Afridi.”

Meanwhile, his passion for haute couture, coupled with a personal sense of style, swung Shahid right into the fashion field in 2008 as he nurdled his way to a flagship store in Karachi.

Designing both casual and formal wear, Shahid pitches vibrant colors and innovative cuts into his casual wear; whereas, his formal wear is a consistent delivery of unique patterns and stone embellishments.

Shahid Afridi recently debuted in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on February 27th at the JYK Boutique of local designer Juhi Yasmeen Khan.

Well, sit back and enjoy the game!

Turquoise Sherwani in Jamawar fabric with sequins, Kora and Dabka work; worn by Ajay Ramchandani—famous choreographer and socialite.

Sherwani in Jamawar fabric with silk thread hand embroidery, silk pajama and scarf; worn by Mohammad Mustafa, son of Juhi Yasmeen Khan—owner of JYK.

Black formal Kurta with antique hand embroidery, Kora sequins work with beads and a red turban to give complete Pakistani/Indian groom look; worn by Jawahar Choda—prominent TV presenter and socialite.

Off white Sherwani with Dabka and Zardosi work with traditional shoes and Shalwar; worn by Faisal Khan—famous model and socialite.

Maroon silk Sherwani with sequins work and Zardosi handwork with silk thread, traditional shoes and Shalwar; worn by Gaurav Tandon—famous TV presenter and Radio RJ.

Khadi Kurta with hand silk thread hand embroidery and Kora work with sequins; worn by Fawad Alam—member of the Pakistani Cricket Team. Fawad Alam is accompanied by famous designer Salma Khan.

Champagne color Sherwani with silk thread hand embroidery on Jamawar fabric with sequins and bead work, worn by Nitin Mirani—famous comedian and entertainer.

Mr. M. A. Khan, honorable retired judge, father of Juhi Yasmeen Khan, wearing blue formal Kurta with hand embroidery with silk thread and fabric buttons with pajama.

Shahid Afridi

Photos Copyright Hill and Knowlton.

HSY: from Pakistan to Dubai

Another talented menswear designer that exhibited at Dubai Fashion Week, 24-29 October 2009, was Pakistani designer, Hassan Sheheryar Yasin.

Born in Lahore, Pakistan, and based in Karachi, Hassan has acquired one of the most prominent names in the Pakistani fashion industry.

Fulfilling a dream that he had harbored from the age of 5, Hassan began his career as a fashion choreographer in 1994, first, in Pakistan and, then, abroad.

After graduation from the Pakistan School of Fashion Design in 2000, Hassan launched his own label HSY, which currently employs 350 individuals with six stores around the world.

Hassan draws his inspiration from the mystical beauty of the Middle East, as well as from the Ottoman Empire, as he merges it with the charm of Western elegance.



Photo & slideshow Copyright HSY.

Pakistani Fashion Revived with Amir Adnan

I have lived and worked in many countries and, time and time again, I have seen entire populations toss their own fashion legacy right out the window just to adopt the styles of western clothing—lock, stock, and barrel.

For this reason, I am extremely delighted when I discover menswear designers who not only preserve their cultural heritage but also build upon it.

Pakistani designer Amir Adnan may have trained briefly in Italy but he did not exactly import all the styles of Italy. Rather, in 1990 he began designing in such a way as to “emancipate” the modern-day Eastern male.

After launching a range of classic jeans with a touch of ethnicity in 1992, Amir set his attention on reviving the sherwani—the traditional long coat, which had been buried with the lords and maharajahs of the past.

Now, based in Karachi, Amir has emerged as one of the largest Pakistani clothing designers with an international label, of which he writes:

“When I create a Kurta, a chemise, or even a shirt, I think of my man wearing it at a formal dinner hosted at an international convention in London or at a warm family gathering at Eid. I see him using it with the same ease and aplomb. I take the exquisite elements o f our culture and synchronize them on modern silhouettes—while ensuring that the price points back at the product!”



Photo 2009 a/w collection Copyright Amir Adnan.
Slideshow 2009 a/w collection Copyright Amir Adnan.