The Prince of Wales opens exhibition of Pakistan embroidery   

 

LONDON: Heir to the British throne Prince Charles of Wales attended the opening of a unique exhibition of contemporary textile works using traditional Pakistani craft skills.

 

The exhibition titled ‘Threads of Change’ held on 18 November 2008 showcased result of a unique collaboration between skilled rural women artisans in Pakistan and international designers at The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts, in East London.

 

The exhibition is part of a long-term social development project designed to improve income of skilled women artisans from Pakistan.

 

It is for the first time their work has been shown to international buyers and retailers. The aim of the exhibition is to provide women direct access to European markets for high quality textile products, soft furnishings and couture.

 

Organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Rural Support Programmes Network (RSPN) in Pakistan, the exhibition is the result of a three-year pilot project led by the Gender Section of the Secretariat and RSPN. It represents their ongoing commitment to gender issues, poverty reduction and economic empowerment.

 

The partnership between international designers and the rural women began with a series of master class design workshops held in Karachi and in the Northern Areas of Pakistan in September 2007.

 

Since then, 40 women artisans from Sindh and Northern Areas have been involved in producing textile crafts on display which will be marketed directly by the designers.

 

Up to 30 samples were on show, ranging from cushion covers, dresses, bedding, shawls and wall hangings.

 

The Prince who celebrated his 60th birthday last week, evinced keen interest in the products on display and asked searching questions from the organisers and praised the artisans for their skilful work.

 

Pakistan High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan in his brief welcoming remarks on the occasion praised collaboration between the different organisations and said this promises not only economic empowerment of the women and help them out of poverty but has brought the global social development agenda to the heart of fashion and textile industry.

 

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma, who officially opened the event said, “Women continue to make up a disproportionate number of the world’s poor. Empowering them economically to access international markets will be an important step towards helping them achieve sustainable livelihoods, and a key step towards winning the fight against global poverty.”

 

The Prince along with other guests watched a short documentary film on the project and heard women speak about their lives, livelihoods and hopes for the future as prospective skilled artisans working with international designers.

 

He was later presented with Sindhi Ajrak shawl by Dr. Sono Khangharani of Thardeep Rural Support Programme while similar shawls were also present to Mr. Hasan and Mr. Sharma.

 

The High Commissioner spouse Zarina Wajid, Deputy High Commissioner Manzoor ul Haq, Commercial Secretary Saira Najeeb and first secretary Ayesha Farooq were also present on the occasion.

The exhibition has been organised in keeping with the work of The Prince’s School for Traditional Arts which regenerates and sustains traditional art forms both in the UK and internationally.

 

 

APP - Nov 19, 2008