March Issue 2013

Be it striking gowns for the Lux Style Awards or ornate saris and lehengas for weddings, Fahad Hussayn has established himself as a major player in the Pakistani fashion industry — and that too in just a handful of years. But not content to remain within the confines of couture, Hussayn has now branched out with Print Museum, a collection of lawn and digital prints made in collaboration with Ittehad Textile Industries.

The Print Museum launch was held at the Imperial Marquee near the Carlton Hotel and was an invitation-only event for media and celebrities before the prints went on sale. As with most fashion events, the launch was off to a slow start with Fahad and his assistants draping fabric over the last few mannequins as guests slowly streamed in at seven thirty. Blow-ups of Priyanka Chopra and Wasim Akram, two of the more high-profile faces of the campaign, surrounded the tent and a gaggle of models dressed in the lawn ensembles lounged on the sofas. The lawn outfits are competitively priced at Rs 4,500- 4,700 per suit and Fahad pointed out that the embroidery and embellishments were made by village women. The attempt to promote cottage industries is admirable but the lawn outfits with their multiple panels, geometric prints and net overlays were rather busy. In comparison, his chiffon and silk digital prints were more sophisticated and featured unusual motifs such as guns, cityscapes and Moghul figures.

The evening may have started a bit late but there was no dearth of famous faces, with designer Shamaeel Ansari, photographer Tapu Javeri and models Nadia Hussain and Vaneeza Ahmed all in attendance to check out the prints. Wasim Akram, too, made an appearance at the launch but unfortunately for Bollywood lovers, Priyanka’s presence was limited to her face on the posters and catalogues.