Put a group of fashionistas on the same flight and pack them off to anywhere in the world and it will always be a fun ride. In a trip that reminded me of the Lux Style Awards in Dubai and Malaysia, we were part of an entourage that flew over to Dubai to witness multi label boutique Labels open at the Emirati owned Studio 8, which until now was known primarily to stock Indian designers.
“Indian fashion maafi (not),” an ever enthusiatic Faiza Samee was seen instructing some of Studio 8’s Arab clientele. Faiza, who travels with her Lipton yellow label tea bags, home baked loaves of bread and even paneer (despite staying at the five star hotel we were put up at), is one of the most unique, lovable characters known to the fashion industry. The woman is an institution on old school traditions. More about that later…
Here’s a sneak peak at what you can expect to read here over the next few days…
Quite a success story: Zahir flew from Lahore to Karachi for the PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week in February, met Sarah Belhasa, one of the most renowned fashion retailers who had also come as potential buyer and voila! Just two months later, Labels opened with a 17 designer representation in Dubai.
“I don’t even need to come to Pakistan for another fashion week now,” Belhasa told me at the launch. “I have Zahir!”
The cherry on the pie…Labels at Studio 8 opened with Faiza Samee, Iman of Body Focus and Sonya Battla along with yes, 14 others. More tomorrow, from Dubai travels to late night sessions with Nomi Ansari as the shama-e-mehfil…
Details tomorrow…
