Islamabad: (Parliament Times) Iqra University Islamabad Campus in collaboration with the Embassy of Uzbekistan organized a fashion show featuring modern and traditional fashion by Uzbek designers and graduate collections of Iqra students.
First Lady of Pakistan, Mrs. Samina Alvi graced the occasion as chief guest lauding the efforts of the organizers and spoke on the common history, culture, and values of Uzbekistan and Pakistan. She added that since fashion has a universal appeal, it helps to break barriers and bridge gaps among nations.
Vice President of Iqra University, Dr. Muhammad Islam welcomed the First Lady and thanked her for promoting such cultural exchanges and expressed his sentiments to the crowd of diplomats, fashion enthusiasts, Uzbek designers, the faculty and parents of student designers.
Ambassador of Uzbekistan Furqat Sidikov in his remarks said ever since his arrival in Pakistan as ambassador, he was trying to promote people to people and cultural links between the two countries. He was appreciative of the organizers to have put together such an event.
The first segment of the runway walk showcased the designs of five Uzbek designers: Malyudakhon Sidikova, Ayzada Nurumbetova, Zamira Yunusova, Markhamatkhon Umarova, and Nasibajon Kholmatova. The designs embodied the rich and historical costumes of Uzbekistan mixed with modern apparel cuts.
During the segment break, wife of the Uzbek Ambassador, Mrs. Golchekhra Sidikova, and Iqra University’s Head of Fashion and Design Department, Ms. Saadia Niazi jointly presented the First Lady, Mrs. Samina Alvi with a traditional Uzbek robe “Chapan” whose fabric was specially flown in for the occasion and stitched by an Iqra student.
The second segment of the show consisted of the graduate collections of 23 Iqra University’s students. The designs for these are originally inspired ideas mark the culmination of a fashion student’s degree whose work is supervised by highly technical and trained faculty. The university organizes such events to promote the young designers’ talents in the market and provide them practice for the industry.
Thrilled to showcase their work, the students of Iqra University included Danial Azeem, Danya Sabir, Jaweria Nazir, Quratulain Hameed, Rohab Khalil, Fatima Tuz Zahra, Hamna Saeed, Komal Imran, Sarah Baig, Tehreema Babar, Faiq Khan, Shakeela, Osman Rehman, Zainab Orakzai, Hammad Anwar, Eshal Khan, Areeb Mughal, Meryam Nadeem, Rohma Nawab, Misha Hashim, Mahnoor Raja, Ayesha Beig, Zaitoon Fatima, and Mahwish Naeem.
The makeup and style was provided by renowned artist Mr. Tariq Amin, choreographed by Ms. Fayezah Amin, and creative direction given by Mr. Fahad Panni to make the show a resounding success. They worked seamlessly with the backstage team of student volunteers and faculty members to ensure a flawless execution of the show.
The audience responded positively to the show with many pleasantly surprised with the fashion and talents of the designers from both countries. This was the second such fashion show collaborated by the Embassy of Uzbekistan and Iqra University demonstrating strong bilateral and cultural ties between the nations.
