Having made his mark in Pakistan, Rizwan took on the challenge of travelling internationally to showcase his talent and represent the evolution of Pakistani culture. He displayed his creativity at various shows in Lebanon, Singapore, Paris, US and the United Kingdom. The young designer won accolades for his experiments and rose to international fame when Princess Di became one of his patrons.
Rizwan is known to have marked a few firsts; flagship stores in both Karachi and Lahore. He is also heading Fashion Pakistan – the official body that represents the Pakistani designer fraternity. He is actively working at setting up the nation's first Fashion Week.
Exploring art and attire with all its unique nuances bought Rizwan to Delhi. Interacting with the vendors of Chandini Chowk, he explored the possibility of using embellishment techniques from India; visited famous multi-brand boutiques (and got a fantabulous response for his attire) and one could not fail to notice how this designer imbibed inspirations and ideas to take back across borders.
To honour Rizwan's trip to India , the Times of India crew jointly decided to mark the designer's memory and the Ms India finalist modelled some of his creations that were captured by the lens of Rahul Dutta – a photographer who offers his services free to Pakistani designers as a mark of hospitality. The result is for you to see.
Setting the perfect precursor to a charity event that has been thematically mapped to celebrate both cultures- Indian & Pakistani, Rizwan prepares to share spaces with his counter part from India – the legendary guru of glamour Tarun Tahiliani. Keenly anticipating this experience Rizwan excited speaks about 'creative and cultural exploration'.
The event is not just a fashion showing but it forges friendships across nations and raises money for an NGO for Pakistani Teachers. A prime example of how icons of India and Pakistan are going beyond politics, power play and Jihad to carry on the world's first people lead peace process – setting a precursor for their countrymen as they tie out the silken skeins of style.
Images: Rahul Dutta