'Pakistan Modern': celebrating modern truck art and traditional embroidery
Explore the story of designer Rizwan Beyg from Pakistan and find out how he came to create his look for The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange, 2018.
The Exchange: Pakistan
For The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange 2018, designer Rizwan Beyg created a look that was inspired by 'Pakistan Modern'. The look was unveiled at Buckingham Palace on February 19, 2018, and later moved to the Australian High Commission, London, where it was open to the public in the run up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit, April 201
Pakistan: Designer Rizwan Beyg
Rizwan Beyg’s design philosophy is, and always has been, ‘Pakistan Modern’. Shooting to fashion fame in the late 80s, the young architecture student had a determination to take the essence of Pakistani style, and modernise it for a contemporary audience. Pakistan Modern loses none of the traditions that are the hallmarks of the country’s culture. The chogha, achkan, lehnga and farshi are cleverly reinvented by Rizwan, experimenting with volume and structure, and often showcasing Mughal embroidery and embellishment. In 2013, Rizwan created the first collection inspired by ‘truck art’ – the style of design found on Pakistan’s rickshaws, inspired by nature, and painted by rural artists. Rizwan continues to work with ‘truck artists’ who design the colourful motifs for his collections, which are then embroidered onto jackets, waistcoats, skirts and accessories.
The story behind the look
Rizwan has created a skirt and coat for the Commonwealth Exchange project, featuring motifs designed by the ‘truck artists’ of Pakistan.
Colourful print used to create Rizwan Beyg's dress by Rizwan BeygCommonwealth Fashion Council
The Pattern
The pattern of the garment was first worked on by original truck artists and digitally printed on silk.
Two women weaving fabric by Rizwan BeygCommonwealth Fashion Council
The pattern was later embroidered by the village women of Bhawalpur.
Close up of Rizwan Beyg's artisans handweaving by Rizwan BeygCommonwealth Fashion Council
Rizwan Beyg's artisans handweaving individual pieces for his look by Rizwan BeygCommonwealth Fashion Council
Close up of Rizwan Beyg's artisan handweaving by Rizwan BeygCommonwealth Fashion Council
Embroidered fabric used for Rizwan Beyg's look by Rizwan BeygCommonwealth Fashion Council
Close up of Rizwan Beyg's look by Rizwan BeygCommonwealth Fashion Council
Front of Rizwan Beyg's look on display at Buckingham PalaceCommonwealth Fashion Council
Final look on display at Buckingham Palace, 19 February 2018
Rizwan Beyg's look at Australian High Commission, London by Rizwan BeygCommonwealth Fashion Council
Final look on display at the Australian High Commission, London, 22 February 2018
Behind the Scenes of The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange 2018Commonwealth Fashion Council
This content has been specifically curated for the Google Arts & Culture platform on behalf of the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange exhibition that launched on the 19th of February at Buckingham Palace in partnership with Swarovski, The Woolmark Company and MATCHESFASHION.COM.
The project, created and managed by Eco-Age, with the support of The Commonwealth Fashion Council and The British Fashion Council.
More information about the images is available by clicking on them.
Read more about the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange at http://eco-age.com/commonwealth-fashion-exchange/
