Pakistan's fashionistas?
Ayesha Ijaz Khan Indian consumers are rapidly becoming regular customers of many Pakistani designers. With a stronger Indian rupee, Pakistani fashions are affordable and attractive, causing Pakistani designers to inflate prices even more, much to the chagrin of the local consumers Most often depicted as a country plagued by terrorism, Pakistan has a surprisingly active fashion world. Fashion weeks in Karachi, Lahore and Dubai showcase Pakistani haute couture in all its glitter and glory. Spaghetti-strapped models baring their legs in defiance of Taliban dictates is how the western press would like to portray it. But this is not the whole picture. On a recent visit to Pakistan, I was struck by how the curious combination of Islam and Bollywood themes has taken Pakistan?s over-active wedding scene, intimately connected to Pakistan?s fashion scene, by storm. Whether the invite is for a hip-shaking, booze-flowing Jodha-Akbar inspired dholki or a reverent proselytising pre-nuptial dua...