Celebrated fashion designers and real life couple Amir Adnan and Huma Adnan organized a soirée ahead of Women’s Day to celebrate the refined craftsmanship of women artisans who work for Craft Stories. Martin Dawson, Head of Mission at British Deputy High Commission Karachi, graced the party with his presence along with several notable names and industry stalwarts.
The hardworking women from Afghanistan and Ghizer Valley in Hunza, and their beautiful handmade jewellery was the highlight of the evening. It was a perfect opportunity for potential supporters to have a look at these artistic pieces and talk to the creative artisans behind them. Beside the jewellery on display, the fête also included appetizing Afghan food to make the evening more special.
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As Huma Adnan aptly says, the event was all “about celebrating women and their craft”.
“It highlighted the many crafts that we have been doing with our artisans from Afghanistan, and now Ghizer Valley, Hunza. Besides craft, there was also authentic Afghan food being served,” Huma said.
Huma Adnan runs Craft Stories, a socially conscious brand established in 2019 to empower inclusive communities utilizing indigenous craft techniques. Threadwork, beads work and several other handwoven styles have always been dominantly visible in these ornaments, but now they have introduced neckpieces made from ocean waste. Recycled materials such as woollen beads made from recycled socks and wooden beads from old newspapers are also used.
Aamna Isani with Amir Adnan
In a conversation with Something Haute, Huma revealed why they opted to make it environmental-friendly.
“Global warming has motivated us to raise awareness and take part in collective action towards making environmentally responsible craft. Since green fashion is constantly growing and attracting consumers who are actively inclined to consume better, we decided to create a capsule collection of fashion accessories through ocean waste, paper, plastic waste and upcycled material,” she shared.
Neckpieces made from ocean waste and upcycled material
For Craft Stories, Huma works with Afghan refugee women who reside in camps in Karachi and Quetta. “Recently, we have discovered a group of artisans in Hunza (Ghizer Valley) and have started training them and polishing their craft.”
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Talking about the response she has got for this new collection of sustainable jewellery and her plans moving forward, the designer shared her goals.
“We are working on the sustainable jewellery with our artisans and plan to exhibit the collection at an international exhibition in Paris this summer. There’s a huge demand of this jewellery in Europe. We will also be marketing the jewellery at the same time in Pakistan.”
Huma Adnan is empowering women by helping them to hone their skills and make a living with their handicrafts. Now that she aims to enter into a sustainable fashion market, what’s next?
“Craft stories is a movement and leads towards conscious change in fashion. For me, training in art and crafts is the biggest revolutionary therapy for reviving refugee women who come from war-torn territories and also for communities with dying indigenous craft. It empowers them and give them a sense of achievement and self fulfilment.”
As for what is the next phase in her plans, she believes “there’s no limit to craft – from accessories to shoes to clothing – we are experimenting with all. Each craft has a story and each artisan depicts that story. Hence, it is responsible and thoughtful fashion.”
