Indian sarees cannot be matched, says Pakistani designer

Rachna Khaira

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Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, March 2

“Our fashion may be the most comfortable and suits people of all age group yet it cannot match the tranquility that Indian sarees create on people across the world,” said Lahore-based renowned Pakistani designer Mavra Ziad who has come to city to launch her latest summer collection. Glamming up the style statement of fashion conscious ‘Jalandharites’ from the last eight years, Mavra, a fashion diva herself feels that her designs had indeed contributed a lot to change the raw fashion statement of the region into a sophisticated one.

“I came here around eight years ago when only Punjabi Phulkaari and Patiala-shahi heavy salwars dominated the fashion scene here. I was the first one to introduce casual suits with long shirts and dupatta here in the region. Though people found it to be little erratic initially, they nowadays have adopted it whole heartedly,” revealed Mavra. She also informed that initially her clients were only young college students who had actually given the much required younger look to her designs.

Why has Pakistani apparels and designs dominated the fashion statement in the region? “Our cotton is the best. Not only India, we also export our home made lawn to almost all the countries across the world. Also, since the weather of both the Punjab provinces situated on both sides of the border is similar like the body built of their people, people here have adopted it with ease,” said Mavra.

So what’s the latest in offer to ‘Jalandharites’? “This year I have introduced crinkle shiffon pant suits with Tarkashi work. Also I have experimented shadow work and Kaccha Pakka Taanka on it,” said Mavra. She has also introduced pure silk casual suits with pants.

While she has made 'Jalandharites’ addicted to Pakistani designs, is it something from the region that she had herself introduced in Pakistan? “I just love the Indian sarees for its variation in colour, style and designing patterns. I have introduced few patterns in my designer suits too. Also, from the region, I have taken few contemporary designs of phulkaari and have introduced them in my designs. Needless to say, both my experiments are immensely successful in Pakistan,” said the fashion diva.

What she likes about the city? “I simply love the vegetarian food here. In Pakistan, we do not get fresh mushrooms as they come in packing from china. So, whenever I am here in the city, I simply gorge on mushroom items available in the city. Also, I love the variety of vegetarian kebabs especially made from cauliflower available here in the city,” revealed the foodie.

Initially, an icon in hand embroidery, Mavra gradually won the hearts of people in disciplines of prêt-line, formal, party-wear, bridals and sarees. For over a decade, she touched the ultimate heights of excellence in Hand Embroidery picking a large clientele in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Bhurban and other cities. Mavra has also excelled in the art of stitching, the most exotic of cuts and design in consonance with the latest trends. A significant large number of her clients are also from Dubai, USA and European countries.