33 students participated in the conceptualization and creation of a film that showcases their work and honors creative people everywhere.
He didn’t make clothes, said designer Ralph Lauren. “I shape dreams.” But what happens when someone does both? Students at Iqra University’s Asian Institute of Fashion Design (AIFD) certainly have. In their new fashion film – considered the first of its kind in Pakistan – they combine high fashion designs, a dreamy concept and an abundance of young talent.
Conceptualized by AIFD creative director Faizan Dar, the film may have been produced by Darang Productions, but the original was student-directed. 33 students were involved in making the film, from the set to the film.
The film is titled Enchanted Odyssey – and it’s magical, full of dreamy visuals, flowing designs and gorgeous models in colorful outfits. It was released in early December.
The process has been going on for a year and a half. Dar, who is now the school’s creative director, was approached by AIFD CEO Mahin Lakhani Ahmer to be part of his mission to steer the school on a new course. According to Dar, she recently returned to Pakistan after a mission in London to take the school on a new course – she wanted to introduce a similar curriculum to international organizations. She wants the school to take a “U-turn.”
“Fashion and textiles [teaching] The scene in Pakistan cannot be compared to what is happening internationally or in India,” said Dar. They needed an overhaul of the global scale and that’s the upgrade they got.
Last year the students teamed up for a music video featuring the very talented Maria Unera. They spent 10 months on Enchanted Odyssey this year.
The project was put together by senior students from AIFD. The seniors have to do two jobs in their final year and are given the option to do this project instead of their second study – obviously, everyone wants to participate. 33 students were selected to work with Dar.
To create a “total fashion film”, the students did research, made mood boards, color boards and prints. The publications, Dar said pictures, They were first made by hand and later changed to digital prints. The blocks and screens were created by hand and the team worked on the drawings as individual themes.
The students participated in the design process and were assisted by the artist studio. First come up with the idea, then the theme. And then they started working on the story.
“They recycled a lot in the process and used waste and by-products,” said Dar, adding that the school didn’t have an unlimited budget for the project, so they bought materials at discounted prices. They collaborated with some famous projects – like Ryan Thomas for hair and makeup – but the adults followed the student’s mood board and ideas.
Through this project, he believes the students have learned skills he would not teach at any other school. When I was in the industry, I realized that many designers failed to push outside the box, saying that even a basic kurta can be elevated. But he didn’t get any tests. He believes that designers need to be mentally prepared and that schools are not doing that.
But the AIFD project is not all talk. To counter that this video is too ‘conceptual’ and impractical, they are creating a ready-to-wear line based on the collection. Eastern and Western shows casual and semi-formal wear. In the first drop, there will be nine looks, including five T-shirts from the Psychedelic Joy section and two loose pieces – a saree and a velvet shawl.
Their signature AIFD publications are available on campus and at an online pop-up shop. There are also plans for a fashion show. Production will be done in January.
Dar said that they are showing the strength of their students in the film as not every fashion designer wants to be alone. But regardless of where they imagine themselves after graduation, all students are incredibly passionate about their work. “It’s different for designers. They don’t get the same respect as doctors or engineers. I asked them [the students] They said why they choose this field and they could have chosen another field and get more respect, but they chose this because they love it.
Through the film, they are celebrating creative individuals – artists, fellow designers and everyone else. The film itself is told through the eyes of a young boy and shows the journey of all creative people, explained Dar. The movie is saying that your imagination can be as wild and crazy as you want it to be.
According to Dar, it is conveying the “designer’s intent” and the composition of the AIFD and Iqra students. He said they have students from different places. “We want to translate their mental anguish into a video,” he explained.
This is not a one time thing. Next time they will do a set and a video but it may be completely different.
But isn’t that the beauty of fashion and art – the ability to reinvent itself and show something completely new?
