‘Lahore Fashion Week a befitting reply to extremists’

Acclaimed Pakistani fashion designer Mahmood Bhatti has said the Lahore Fashion Week is an answer to futile efforts of extremists to enforce the culture of fear in the country. In an exclusive interview with The News, the flag bearer of Pakistan in the world’s fashion capital, Paris, said that he was overwhelmed by the amazing display of skill and innovation at the Lahore Fashion Week. Bhatti, who is also the honorary Consul General of Pakistan in Paris, praised young designers of Pakistan, saying there was no doubt that Pakistan had some of the most creative people in the field of fashion designing and given right exposure these entrepreneurs could become an international sensation. The quality of work, chic models and thorough professionalism were the astounding features of this avant-garde experience, he said. He said Pakistan needed to break the negativity associated with its image by negative media propagation as it was hurting the perception of the country and the market of its rich culture internationally. He said the most important task at hand was to work towards building a soft and colourful image of the country in the international arena which will result in opening up broader horizons for the emerging talent of the country. He praised the Jang Group’s ‘Aman ki Asha’, saying he would love to be a part of this effort to create harmony in the region as it will open new horizons for both countries. Talking about Pakistan’s first fashion show he organized in 1996 with the collaboration of The News International, he said that it was an uphill task as there were no facilities available at that time. Commenting on the ways to improve Pakistan’s international image, he said the recent boom in media had brought about an information revolution but there was a need to use this opportunity not merely to broadcast catastrophes and wrongs in society but to project a positive image and use media as an image building tool.