Wednesday, 31 March 2010

An Interview with Sultana Siddiqui - President

Q -- What is the vision behind Style360?

A -- When we were thinking of the concept of Style360, there were existing channels like Fashion TV, and many others, but we observed that there was no channel that focused on different lifestyles. So we thought this would be a unique channel that would fill a void. Whenever we launch a channel, we do prior research thoroughly and introduce a channel that helps broaden our viewer's vision. We also build our image in the eyes of foreigners, and these were some of the things we were considering when we launched Style360.

Q -- Two launch events were held - one in Karachi and another in Lahore. Why did you feel the need for two events?

A -- It was a marketing tactic -- how you launch your channel is very important.The major industry related to fashion is in

Lahore, but the sales and marketing team and advertising is in Karachi, so we wanted to combine them and move ahead. By doing

so we gave both halves of the industry an idea of our vision, and amalgamated them to see how we could take the channel to a

new level.

Q -- How was the launch different from other events/launches?

A -- The launch was definitely different in many aspects. We did them the way foreign shows are formatted; they are

completely flawless, not a stop for a single second. We focused greatly on music, quality choreography and ambience, and

ensured that all the top names in the industry were present and made a significant impact.

Q -- What is your target audience?

A -- Glamour is something even the lowest classes dream about, and we want to use glamour to involve all strata of society,

something that all classes can relate to. It is aimed at the masses. It is a channel that will always bring happiness, and

distract people from all the seriousness and troubles in life. It will help them not only to learn about international

trends, but to lose themselves in it. It will lighten hearts of all ages, from young to old, and the less fortunate to the

wealthy

Q -- Most people are under the impression that this is a channel targeted at an all female audience. Is that true?

A - It's not like that at all...if u look at spas today, you'll find a lot of men there too. Earlier, men would wake up, wash

their faces, get dressed in something simple and go out. Even if they put gel on their hair, or were interested in grooming,

they did it themselves. Now, the case is entirely different. In fact, it sometimes shocks me with the
amount of things men get done professionally - everything from eyebrows to facials, and even masks!!!

But on a serious note, even though the fashion world involves more women within it, it certainly draws an equal audience of

both men and women. Hence,it will generate interest in both the genders equally.

An Interview with Sultana Siddiqui - President

Q -- What is the vision behind Style360?

A -- When we were thinking of the concept of Style360, there were existing channels like Fashion TV, and many others, but we observed that there was no channel that focused on different lifestyles. So we thought this would be a unique channel that would fill a void. Whenever we launch a channel, we do prior research thoroughly and introduce a channel that helps broaden our viewer's vision. We also build our image in the eyes of foreigners, and these were some of the things we were considering when we launched Style360.

Q -- Two launch events were held - one in Karachi and another in Lahore. Why did you feel the need for two events?

A -- It was a marketing tactic -- how you launch your channel is very important.The major industry related to fashion is in

Lahore, but the sales and marketing team and advertising is in Karachi, so we wanted to combine them and move ahead. By doing

so we gave both halves of the industry an idea of our vision, and amalgamated them to see how we could take the channel to a

new level.

Q -- How was the launch different from other events/launches?

A -- The launch was definitely different in many aspects. We did them the way foreign shows are formatted; they are

completely flawless, not a stop for a single second. We focused greatly on music, quality choreography and ambience, and

ensured that all the top names in the industry were present and made a significant impact.

Q -- What is your target audience?

A -- Glamour is something even the lowest classes dream about, and we want to use glamour to involve all strata of society,

something that all classes can relate to. It is aimed at the masses. It is a channel that will always bring happiness, and

distract people from all the seriousness and troubles in life. It will help them not only to learn about international

trends, but to lose themselves in it. It will lighten hearts of all ages, from young to old, and the less fortunate to the

wealthy

Q -- Most people are under the impression that this is a channel targeted at an all female audience. Is that true?

A - It's not like that at all...if u look at spas today, you'll find a lot of men there too. Earlier, men would wake up, wash

their faces, get dressed in something simple and go out. Even if they put gel on their hair, or were interested in grooming,

they did it themselves. Now, the case is entirely different. In fact, it sometimes shocks me with the
amount of things men get done professionally - everything from eyebrows to facials, and even masks!!!

But on a serious note, even though the fashion world involves more women within it, it certainly draws an equal audience of

both men and women. Hence,it will generate interest in both the genders equally.

James Abidi looks

James Abidi looks towards Greece for inspiration
James Abidi launched her first collection at Labels in 2008 after getting a thorough grounding of fashion by working at Frieha Altaf's event management company Catwalk. She stocks at Labels as well as Melange in Islamabad
To Jamie, street wear is about dressing as sexy as possible and the fact that women can't carry off cute skirts in the country we live in is rather ill-fated (and it is) Jamie holds and her own and resolutely believes her ideas of spring are not a subsequent of what other designers are have in mind. Inspired by the spring and summer of Greece, Jamie's outlook on spring attire is that of blues of all shaded and whites.

James Abidi looks

James Abidi looks towards Greece for inspiration
James Abidi launched her first collection at Labels in 2008 after getting a thorough grounding of fashion by working at Frieha Altaf's event management company Catwalk. She stocks at Labels as well as Melange in Islamabad
To Jamie, street wear is about dressing as sexy as possible and the fact that women can't carry off cute skirts in the country we live in is rather ill-fated (and it is) Jamie holds and her own and resolutely believes her ideas of spring are not a subsequent of what other designers are have in mind. Inspired by the spring and summer of Greece, Jamie's outlook on spring attire is that of blues of all shaded and whites.

Adnan Pardesy gets bright

Adnan Pardesy gets bright, loose and floral
Adnan Pardesy wowed the audience at Karachi Fashion Week and held his own ground at the Ensemble Fall/Winter showcase Adnan Pardesy's outlook on spring fashion is similar to Nida Azwer's. He believes flowing fabrics are going to be in this spring. Chiffons and georgettes will be the fashion forecast of the year. To him, it's all about Western wear - chiffon tops, breezy and light tank tops, bright colours and flowery prints. The nuts and bolts of spring are the right print and soft fabric. He seems firm about the idea of bringing soft and feminine uppers back in the picture by focusing on printed tops this season.
"Light blues and airy pastels: everything has to be voluminous. No skin fitting, the clothes of spring should be of comfort feel. Checks are out and they will be followed by flowery prints. I don't see much of a change as harem pants will remain in fashion. The colours will change and the fabric weight will change. Tight fittings are going to go. Capris are smart and in for spring. They might get shorter but it's dicey - depends on the composition. The change this spring won't be drastic."

Adnan Pardesy gets bright

Adnan Pardesy gets bright, loose and floral
Adnan Pardesy wowed the audience at Karachi Fashion Week and held his own ground at the Ensemble Fall/Winter showcase Adnan Pardesy's outlook on spring fashion is similar to Nida Azwer's. He believes flowing fabrics are going to be in this spring. Chiffons and georgettes will be the fashion forecast of the year. To him, it's all about Western wear - chiffon tops, breezy and light tank tops, bright colours and flowery prints. The nuts and bolts of spring are the right print and soft fabric. He seems firm about the idea of bringing soft and feminine uppers back in the picture by focusing on printed tops this season.
"Light blues and airy pastels: everything has to be voluminous. No skin fitting, the clothes of spring should be of comfort feel. Checks are out and they will be followed by flowery prints. I don't see much of a change as harem pants will remain in fashion. The colours will change and the fabric weight will change. Tight fittings are going to go. Capris are smart and in for spring. They might get shorter but it's dicey - depends on the composition. The change this spring won't be drastic."

Nida Azwer is all set to think pink

Nida Azwer is all set to think pink
Nida Azwer made a definite mark in 2008 with gorgeous shoots and a nomination for Best Emerging Talent at the Lux Style Awards.
For Nida Azwer, the spring ahead of us is all about colours. The young designer's motto for spring is to "think pink". Nida, who has been a part of the industry for not more than three years, wants trends to change and focus on colours. And that is agreed upon- last year one saw blacks and whites doing the rounds. To Nida, this spring is about carrying off colour with diversity: shades of pink, fuchsia, bright and shocking pink, dark or tea pink; pinks of all sorts. Adding to that is the flow of the material - linens and chiffons in long lengths, for both Western and Eastern wear (keep your kameezes longer than the pole outside your house!).
"This spring, clothes are going to be flowy. People will see lots of linens and lots of chiffons in the brightest colours, out of which pink would be seen very often. And I suggest short lengths won't be back for a while, everything is going to be long and flowy. A new breeze of kaftans will be making waves, with lots of flow. Pants and shirts are still there and the pumps will be too. But Karachi springs are all about open flats and sandals since it's so hot. Harem pants are going to be in, though I prefer straight or wide legged pants.