Yousuf Bashir Qureshi (YBQ) of the Commune Artists' Colony recently held a show marking the launch of his first collection in Pakistan (“reflecting the hardships of life”) and that of the YBQ Concept Store in Karachi. Prior to the show, there was a lot of speculations as to what he would actually pull off, as the word around was that it involved just two models.

Arriving at the venue, I discovered that the main hallway remained shut for about an hour after the designated time, and once it was opened people were ushered in in two groups. Once inside, there was no ramp but only a black floor and a security belt marking the spot beyond which was a floor-to-ceiling screen set up on one wall.

As the lights dimmed, I discovered that the launch was actually a music/fashion video which featured actress/model Aaminah Sheikh and her husband, actor Mohib Mirza. The clothes, both men's and women's wear, were modeled by the duo. YBQ put his signature draping skills to use as the women's wear featured fully-pleated large shirts over chooridar pajamas, almost A-line dresses, straight loose dhoti-styled pajamas, among others. The focus of the video was to show the details of the outfits. The women's wear was completely in white whereas the menswear consisted of crisp dhotis, dhoti-styled pajamas, large pleated shalwars and colourful kurtas, one of which was a bright pink! Paying heed to the music in the video, the models could be seen walking, often moving in a mixture of kung-fu moves and kathak (“I did everything on the spot!” laughed Aaminah) with their moves accelerating and then slowing down according to the sounds.

The video also featured designer chappals and jewellery which consisted of solid metal circular karas, large stoned-crusted rings, etc. The styling was by Sadaf Malaterre, hair and make-up by Ayesha Motiwalla and music by Shallum Xavier.

Opinion

Editorial

Fear tactics
Updated 28 Mar, 2025

Fear tactics

Under Peca amendments, regime has legal cover to bully and harass working journalists for taking adversarial positions.
Hints of hope
28 Mar, 2025

Hints of hope

PAKISTAN’S economic growth has slowed in the second quarter of the ongoing fiscal year from a year ago as the...
Capacity issues
28 Mar, 2025

Capacity issues

TALK about disjointed development. Pakistan is now producing high-speed train coaches for its low-speed tracks....
Some progress
Updated 27 Mar, 2025

Some progress

The hard-won macroeconomic stability is only a short distance away from a deeper crisis.
Time to talk
27 Mar, 2025

Time to talk

IN an encouraging development, the government has signalled openness to PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s ...
Black Sea truce
27 Mar, 2025

Black Sea truce

WHILE the Trump administration may have no problem with Israel renewing its rampage in Gaza, it is playing ...