They walk shoulder to shoulder in a land where gender prejudices seems rampant to an outsider. Designer duo Huma and Amir Adnan shared their life's journey via their first-time joint collection at the just-concluded PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week (PSFW) 2015, where their designs were high on Kashmiri textures.
Married for 21 years, the couple shares a common love for travelling.
"Huma and I are avid travellers, and two years ago we took a trip to Pakistani side of Kashmir as we didn't have access of the Indian side. We saw the rich textures in the state and were mesmerised," Amir told IANS post their show on the final day of the fashion gala.
Amir's maternal family belongs to Kashmir, and he says most of his crafts reflect that influence.
"I live in that environment and I think we being Pakistani or for instance you being Indian (referring to the visiting IANS correspondent)...we are so rich in culture. We breathe culture everyday, and for us, the collection is the translation of something that we normally feel," he said.
The Kashmiri influence was visible with the use of the Jamewar fabric, silk and Jacquard.
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Also, showcasing a collection titled 'Symphony' on which he collaborated with his wife, was a special experience.
They feel that as a couple, they share their lives and draw synergies. And so, their collection is an epitome of how two people can revolve around the same concept in harmony, while maintaining their individual distinction.
"I have been married to Huma for about 21 years, and for these years, everything that we have done is beautiful for us. We share a lot of love and inspiration together to develop things. So, to me, when I heard 'symphony', it means many different things put together.
"It's my symphony with Huma and that's the inspiration for my collection," said Amir.
Huma pointed out that while they work in different offices, and hardly talk to each other while at work, they "always know about each others choices".
The label Amir Adnan started in 1990, bringing in a vital turn for menswear in the country, while Huma joined Pakistan's booming fashion industry in 2005.
Showcasing both menswear and womenswear at PSFW 2015, Huma and Amir used a mix of fabrics, textures and embellishments. There was a heavy play of weaves, prints and embroideries in silk, linen, cotton, and microfiber.
The colour palette included midnight blue, emerald green, wet earth, aubergine, ivory, old paper, turmeric, leaf and magenta.
PSFW 2015, organised by the Pakistan Fashion Design Council, was held here April 18-21, bringing together a melange of designers -- both luxury pret and Voile -- to showcase their creations.
(The writer's visit to the fashion week is at the invitation of the Pakistan Fashion Design Council. Nivedita can be contacted at nivedita.s@ians.in.)