18 July,2009 09:29 AM IST | | Shweta Shiware
Romin Farid and Taqdees Pathan want the burkha to go designer, incorporating zippers, rhinestones and denim in a range they retail out of a city mall Sale till sunday: Aster hosts a sale till Sunday, to make way for new stock that arrives on Tuesday. The fresh collection catches up with the upcoming bridal season and Ramzan Id festivities
While French Prez Nicolas Sarkozy recently announced that the burkha "makes women prisoners", attempting to bar French Muslim women from covering their faces in public, two young Muslim entrepreneurs in Mumbai are fighting to free the controversial garment from monotony.
Romin Farid and Taqdees Pathan have a simple agenda to build the burkha into a designer garment. "Just like you have the best designer labels making shoes and bags, I want our brand to become the last name in designer burkhas," says Romin, co-owner of Aster.
From Bhiwandi to Mumbai Central
Having lived in Saudi Arabia for 35 years, Romin grew accustomed to the luxury of choice when it came to stylish burkha options. "In India, the approach is functional. A burkha is more than a sheath of thick black cloth.
I think women should own more burkhas than the garments they wear underneath. After all, that's what they are seen in," she says.
u00a0
A lack of personal shopping options saw the friends retail burkhas out of their homes. The demand gradually increased as news spread, and they launched a standalone boutique at Bhiwandi.u00a0
The latest branch at a Mumbai Central mall caters to well-off SoBo Muslims, Romin says. "The location has helped bring in customers from as far as Gujarat, who stop by on their way from the station, and touristsu00a0 from England and South Africa who live in hotels around the vicinity."
Modern designs with a traditional heart
The tiny store has a doorway inspired by the Mughal era; net curtains part to take you to hanger space on either end, with genial store manager Shahnaz always on call.
The burkhas on display are standard, singular size pieces, which can be custom-made to size and design depending on what you fancy.
The attempt to engage in
Dialogue with fashion is what you notice while browsing through the range. Sprays of Swarovski crystals on luxurious fabrics ranging from crepe, chamois satin, georgette to net, all used to create pieces that defy the
mundaneness traditionally associated with the hijab.
The necklines are typical; high V-necks with push buttons or zippers running down the bottom. With cutwork, tassels, applique, threadwork, even shoelaces to fasten sleeves, the designs dabble with Victorian (satin lace and floral cutouts), Oriental (bold red piping and tassels) and Romantic (subtle Swarovski sprinkled around lace flowers) styles.
A small range of overcoatsu00a0 and burkhas in denim with chic rhinestone-studded belts target the college-going crowd.
At: Shop 1C, second floor, Orchid City Center Mall, 265 Ballafis Road, Mumbai Central.
Innovating the sleeves
Victorian: This one was inspired by the Romantic era, with satin bows and blossoms accentuating the sleeves and hemline. For Rs 4,250
ORIENTAL: This burkha comes with bold red piping, and tassels at the end of its sleeve. For Rs 2,800
