Ever since she launched her eponymous line in 2010, Sania Maskatiya has become one of the most talked about names in the fashion industry. The Pakistani based designer sees fashion as a means of bridging cultures, as proved in her bold, ethnic-inspired designs that fly off the shelves as soon as they arrive in stores.
Sania’s route into fashion design started when she was young. From an early age, she had always loved arts and crafts and was always orientated towards designing and playing with colours. This led her to pursue a Textile Design course at college.
Now, she has gained a worldwide following having participated in exhibits and shows across the globe.
In the lead up to her highly anticipated Fashion Pakistan Week show, Sania has been busy preparing for her new Pret line along with her Lawn collaboration with Alkaram Textile Mills. These are the collections that she describes as her most popular. “This collection features bold statement colours and contrasting colours which remain on trend and are favourites amongst the young and old,“ she added.
Saniya Maskatiya is a brand that specialises in unique and modern pieces, with eye-catching prints and styles that carry the brand’s identity. They reflect a balance between elegance, comfort and practicality.
Sania Maskatiya is one of the main designers who have gone about modernising and updating Pakistani fashion. She has done this by incorporating several modern cuts and styles such as jackets and capes into her designs, as well as changing the way prints are used. Effectively she has succeeded.
While inspired by traditional styles, her collections are innovatively designed to be worn in any part of the world. Her more westernised garments like the gowns, skinny capri pants, jacket-saris, crop tops and skirts are really changing the face of Pakistani fashion and defying the stereotypes.
Sania Maskatiya has become an influential personality in the fashion industry and what I can only describe as a catalyst for changing a contemporary Pakistan.
Not only do her designs evoke effortlessly cool sensibility but they also scream out diversity, which are the main reasons her designs have attracted celebrities for red carpet events, dramas, and performances to their own weddings. Rani Mukherjee, Sonam Kapoor, Maira Khan, Saira Sheroz, Zahra Sandberg, Sanam Saeed, and Sharmaine Obaid are just a few of the people she has worked with and created signature styles for.
Sania admits how her styles have been influenced by globalisation and the shift and exchange in cultural influences.
She said: “There is an observable growing trend in the West to incorporate hints of Eastern elements in specific collections especially in couture – LV is designing peshawari chappals and Chanel put out a collection of tunics last years that are markedly similar to what we wear. High street brands in the west are also doing tunics and embodying ethnic embroideries. Similarly, in the East there has been a movement to incorporate Western cuts and silhouettes in designs to create more refined and versatile collections.”
It seems like Sania is not the only purveyor of creating the East meets West fusion of apparel.
The Verdict
There are common themes that run through the Sania Maskatiya brand, with paying attention to detail being one of them. Sania is right in branding herself on her use of luxe fabrics and cuts that have been draped in a range of directional but elegant silhouettes, creating versatile looks across all her fashion lines. She knows how to effectively use trendy prints that are comfortable but chic in creating everyday wear for women. Not only that, but she knows how to get creative with classic silhouettes, by adding intricate detailing and contrasting colours in order to create a fusion of tradition and modernity. It’s clear to say her designs do display imaginative inspiration from a unique interplay of colours and affirms that Sania’s inspiration does in fact come from what she says, “my surroundings and nature are my inspiration.”
If you are looking for a brand that has a combination of the distinctive nature of its designs, quality, finishing and price points then Sania Maskatiya should be your go-to designer.
Sania Maskatiya retails across a number of collections including- Haute Couture, Formal wear, Prêt a Porter and Luxury Pret and is available in the UK at Stitch Three Studio (www.stitchthree.com)
The brand is working in a collaboration that will focus on creating a design for an exclusive bottle for Sunsilk shampoos. They will also be providing scarves and hats for the new Pakistan International Airlines uniforms. The Spring/Summer Collection 2015 will be hitting the runway at Fashion Pakistan Week on 31st March.
2014 Brand Highlights
- One of the very few Pakistani designers to stage a solo showcase at LAKME Fashion Week 2014.
- Bollywood star Sonam Kapoor wore a piece from Sania Maskatiya, which was photographed on the cover of Cosmopolitan India.
- Won a Lux Style Award in 2014 for ‘Achievement in the fashion design-luxury prêt’ category.
- Nominated and shortlisted for the international Woolmark Prize-one of the world’s most influential design awards.
- Their bridal Ara-Ornament’ collection was shown at PFDC L’Oreal Paris Bridal Week. The brand also debuted menswear in their Kuamka collection at PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week.
- Internationally, Sania Maskatiya showcased in London at the Faisana Fashion Week, the DIL Charity Couture Gala in LA and in India at LAKME Fashion Week.
- Officially launched a permanent line of accessories at their flagship studio and stores.
- Launched an online store.
