Fabric of friendship

A group of Pakistani designers is mixing business with pleasure in India while participating in the Bride and Groom Exhibition.

Fashion designers can pitch in on a turf where politicians are struggling. That’s the message one gets from Pakistani designers in the city to participate in the Bride and Groom Exhibition, a three-day show of weddingwear, on at the Taj Palace. Last year, only two Pakistani designers made it to the event. The number has risen to 10 this time.

It’s understandable why Cyma Almakky, 31, is excited about her maiden trip. “I see a lot of business potential here,” says the Lahore-based designer. All that Almakky knew of India was based on what she had seen on television. With 50 pieces of western-inspired garments for the exhibition, she is set to explore the Indian market for the first time. “I’ve heard there’s a huge market and Delhi is a big market in itself,” she says.

Concurs Asma Khan, another designer: “Being neighbours, why can’t we forge a new relationship through our fabrics? Depending on the response, I will think about setting up shop here,” she says.

Amna Mullick has already checked out the market along with her sister Amber. The duo is offering 30 outfits on bridal, contemporary and fusion lines. Priced Rs 12,000 onwards, their label Resham O Revaz is popular with industrialists and wives of politicians back home.

On her fifth visit, Najeeba Zulfiqar still can’t get enough of India. “I plan to visit Jaipur, Ajmer Sharif and Mumbai,” says the 38-year-old whose label Beegees has been patronised by Shabana Azmi and Shipa Shetty.

Asma Khan, on her sixth visit here, too has Jaipur on her itinerary. And had it not been the frenetic business activity before Ramzan, the Mullick sisters would have stayed back to see the Taj. “I want to see Fatehpur Sikri too,” says Amna. Mixing business with pleasure was never so profitable.

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