Showcasing GE4DE beneficiaries talents - improving livelihoods

Karachi (ILO News): Usually, the crux of a fashion show is the beautiful spectacle created by collections in all their perfected glory. However, a singular fashion show was held at the Avari Towers in Karachi on 20th June’14 , which also shone the spotlight on the diligent hands that transform the vision of designers into reality.

While tributes to local artisanship aren’t a novel concept, with many premier designers devoting their collections to lofty causes such as women’s empowerment and poverty alleviation – a recent example being HSY’s collaboration with a Shergarh-based NGO for his PSFW 2014 collection – at the GE4DE: show, the artisans took to the ramp themselves, taking a bow after their respective collections, making their stitching and handiwork the focus of the event.

This fashion show was the fruition of the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Promoting Gender Equality for Decent Employment (GE4DE) project funded by Department of Foreign Affairs Trade and Development (DFATD). The aim of organising this fashion show was the exhibition of the training invested in underprivileged men and women residing in eight different rural and peri-rural regions across Pakistan, ranging from Thatta in Sindh to Baltistan in the north.

Moving on to the collections, each of them was viewed after a two-minute documentary on its creation, which again served to direct the attention of the audience towards the handiwork. The Empowerment collection opened the show with a series of silk and chiffon gowns, cut and dyed by the students of Fashion Apparel Design and Training Institute (FADIN). Inspired by the mineral wealth of Pakistan, the fabric was graduated dyed in the jewel tones of ruby, emerald and amethyst. A variety of silhouettes showcased the students’ sartorial mastery. The collection also used khaadi cloth hand-woven by students of the Sarhad Rural Support Programme. Handicraft pieces turned into turban-inspired headgear were reminiscent of Kalash embroidery and the cross-stitching technique unique to Gilgit-Baltistan. Models carried instruments of various occupational groups to drive the point of women’s empowerment home, but one felt that this particular aspect of styling was too literal an interpretation of the theme, and the collection could have done without its distraction.

The Elements collection paid homage to our different regional cultures with fabric prints ranging from Urdu text, rickshaw and truck art to other imagery such as the Markhor. Although a tired concept, the emphasis of the collection was on the different outfits, ranging from saris to men’s kurtas, which were created by the Pakistan Knitwear Training Institutes. A small injustice was done with the handmade bags made by women from Thatta. The bags unfortunately clashed terribly with the outfits of the models carrying them, and were thus an eyesore on the ramp. A little more thought into how the bags should be presented would have showcased them in a better light.

The most pleasing collection was the Glamour collection, in which the Pakistan Readymade Garments Technical Training Institute graduates effortlessly transformed denim into dresses and embellished them with gota, brocade and floral embroidery that looked quite striking. This blend of East and West was inspired by the mixed origins of the Hazara and Mongol tribes, showing an improvement on previous theme interpretations. Baltistan Cultural Development Foundation students wove woollen shawls by hand, and Sohb provided mosaic marble accessories for the collection.

The final Dreams collection showcased bridal wear created with female hands, which is surprisingly a rarity even in the city centres, where the opportunity to leave home to be apprenticed is not afforded to all women. Under the supervision of the Samanzar Empowering Women program, trained craftsmen from Karachi travelled to the village of Dera Jattan to teach women the craft of zardozi embroidery.

The GE4DE program, which was in essence a fashion show, also tied together a display of myriad skills and arts into one cohesive event. The makeup of the models was ably done by trainees of the Depilex Smile Again Foundation. The spread of appetizers and drinks served at the red carpet were prepared by graduates of the College of Tourism and Hotel Management. Sohb Educational Welfare Society provided beautiful marble mosaic pieces that decorated the ramp. The event’s invites and informational packs were designed by graduates of the Pakistan Institute of Human Rights. Walnut souvenirs were prepared by women from Naran and Kaghan and many of the event’s ushers were trained at the Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan. Event coordination and management by handled by the Buffer Zone division of the Vocational Training Institute. Thus, our real hosts of the evening were the underprivileged whose efforts resulted in an admirably pulled off event.

The GE4DE event was a gentle reminder that those, who brush off the fashion industry as trivial, fail to take into account the opportunities it creates and its contributions to the economy. Many life-changing stories were shared during the course of the event, of women who were finally empowered to financially contribute to their homes and make better lives for themselves and their families.

The high quality of products and services delivered was a reminder of the potential of our masses and the need for more industry giants to reach out to them to pull them under fashion’s rewarding umbrella.

For further information please contact:

Ms Hiba Siddiqui,
Media Focal Person
Email
Tel: 051-2276456-8