Similar to life, the global apparel industry is dynamic and
Indian fashion or the Indian retail industry, is no different. The only things
constant are change, creativity and evolution. There was a time when the Indian
apparel retail industry thrived on wedding seasons, celebrity fashions,
festivals, and fads to constantly expand and change.
However, the most recent source of newness that has come to
Indian ethic wear is Pakistani fashion. About ten years ago, only a small
fraction of Indian women who were aware of Pakistani suits wore them.
Nevertheless, in recent times, there has been a significant influx of Pakistani
fashion into mainstream India. Millions of Indians have fallen in love with the
long, flowing kurtas, exquisite laces, and delicate stitching that distinguish
Pakistani designs.
It was in 2012, that the Pakistani Fashion Design Council (PFDC)
decided to collaborate and retail top Pakistani labels like Charizma, Maria B.,
Asim Jofa, Asifa Nabeel, Ramsha, Anaya, Fahad Hussayn, Sana Safinaz, and
Afrozeh, among others. Followed by a fashion show, there were several Pakistani
designers who displayed their work to give Delhits a glimpse of their fashion.
Around this time, the luxurious "lawn" fabric from
Pakistan began its journey to sink in the hearts of the Indian women and was an
instant hit in India for the same reasons it was in Pakistan: its silky texture
and soft feel made it an ideal wear for the women living in the scorching
climate of our plains most of the year. The unique patterns, vibrant colours,
floral prints, and embroidered motifs were the cherry on top.
Pakistani designs use extremely unique and the remarkable colour
combinations and shades are a novelty in India. Pakistani suits, known as
shalwar-kameez-dupatta outfits, are extremely stylish and fashionable. They
provide a welcome change from the repetitive churidaars and salwars that
characterise Indian fashion.
There is a stark difference between Pakistani and Indian suits
that lies in their embroidery and craftsmanship. In a typical Pakistani suit,
the embroidery patches and laces are usually separate from the fabric and are
assembled together while stitching to ensure the purchaser gets a tailor-made,
handcrafted designer suit made by the designer itself.