The first outfit from my research and mood boards for Fashion Pakistan Week 6 finally went into production.
This time around, I’m even more excited than previously because of what I’m bringing to the table.
Friends and colleagues always asked me why I didn’t make conventional collections for Fashion Week and why I perennially offered something really different on the ramp. My answer used to be as follows:
1- Fashion Weeks in Pakistan are mere publicity stunts rather than a platform to showcase saleable collections, especially when it came to menswear. Why? How many designers have displayed their Fashion Week collections in stores? How many of them are even stocking at multi-brand stores? Pakistan hardly has any multi-brand stores that stock men’s wear. Pakistani designer men’s wear is just not taken seriously!
2- I like to use my fifteen minutes of runway time as a creative display of what I am capable of producing rather than showcase collections that are 100% classic or “conventional.” However, I ensure that wearable versions of the runway swagger are available in Arsalan Iqbal stores exactly a day before the Fashion Pakistan Week season begins.
3- Internationally, Fashion Weeks bring business and collaborative alliances from both foreign and local buyers, encouraging, nay compelling, local designers to work harder on their designs and improve the quality and finesse of the garment up to on international standards. How many truly interested foreign buyers has one seen in Pakistan? How many have actually bought/ordered something? Although internationally the collections are sold off to interested buyers before the fashion week starts. I’m sorry to say but I come across the same three multi-brand stores owners come to support their already stocking designers at every Fashion Week that takes place either in Karachi or Lahore.
4- Serious designers, (I consider myself an extremely passionate designer) who take their careers and profession critically are mired and part of an unfair Fashion Week selection criteria where anyone regardless of whether they have a store; whether they stock anywhere or even sell a collection or not are invited to participate in the Fashion Week. WHY?
Hence, I consider Fashion Weeks in Pakistan not true to the concept of international Fashion Week standards. Although everyone has their own opinions, the above was just mine so no offence intended towards anyone.
I think the first Fashion Pakistan Week which began in 2008/9 was truly charismatic and on the right track! But now? With both the Councils – Fashion Pakistan (FP) and Pakistan Fashion Design Council (PFDC) the core concepts have altered significantly and inextricably. It breaks my heart sometimes that Fashion isn’t being taken seriously at all anymore.
So, I have decided to do what my friends and colleagues wanted the most from me as a designer. I have accepted the challenge of presenting a conventional collection at Fashion Pakistan 6. My inspiration is derived from London’s legendary Saville Row tailors and includes classic Super 180’s, 160’s woolen suits and high street fashion separates you might come across in Milan.
Extreme attention has been given to detail and I have taken acute account of international trends even though I ordinarily don’t believe in following international trends as I enjoy creating trends rather than following them! But this time around the stripes, metal studs and exquisite fabric selection I saw on international runways inspired me in a big way!
Below are a few photographs of the latest international menswear trends:
Ciao!
Arsalan I.
Arsalan Iqbal 