By Maliha Rehman
Zainab Chottani, celebrated for her distinctive craftsmanship in bridals and formals, has just put Pakistan on the map with a show in the world’s fashion capital, Paris! Titled ‘Bleu Heritage’, the collection was designed especially for the Parisian runway, in a showcase produced by Moda Productions. Pakistan’s craftsmanship and the unique ethos of the Hala region came to life in the lineup which had one wanting to see more.
The show took place at Hotel de Maisons, once the home of the fashion’s most iconic designers, the late Karl Lagerfeld, and was attended by the French Ambassador for Pakistan and his wife alongside Zainab’s family and friends. A sea of prominent influencers including Leonie Hann as well as journalists, buyers and other VIP’s were in attendance and the show was produced and executed by Moda Productions.
While the guests took their seats in the main rooms, Zainab and her team were backstage gearing up for what was to come. Sadaf Malaterre, a well-known name in Pakistan’s fashion scene and a Paris native, took on the responsibility for styling each outfit, adding her classy, unique eye for details to the looks. At 8:30 PM, a lineup of fifteen models stood ready and the Zainab Chottani Paris show began!
The music, produced and remixed by none other than Shahi Hasan of Vital Signs, played out while the models walked down the stairs and proceeded to the runway. It was an 11 minute long show, featuring a sartorial translation of the handicraft unique to Hala pottery. Florals and geometrical patterns were worked onto a range of silhouettes in a glorious palette of blue, white, turquoise, green and purple.
“I knew that if I was going to showcase in Paris, I wanted to represent something from Pakistan — something that would give people a glimpse of the incredible art and craft we come from. Hala has always inspired me,” says the designer. “There is something so beautiful and distinctive about its colors, patterns and the fact that this craft has been carried forward through generations. The collection is rooted in the inspiration of Hala pottery, but for an international audience, I named it ‘Bleu Heritage’ — a name that still reflects those beautiful blues and the heritage behind them, while giving the collection a more global identity.”
“In fact, Hala was the inspiration behind my debut collection at PFDC many years ago, so in a way, this felt like coming full circle. But I always felt there was so much more I wanted to do with that inspiration. That first collection wasn’t the end of that story for me.”
She continues, “I also really wanted this presentation to stand out. Backstage, I was looking at all these breathtakingly beautiful, glittering gowns and I was genuinely blown away by them — but I also knew I didn’t want to do the same thing. I wanted people to walk out of our show remembering that they had seen something beautiful, but also something different.”
“For me, that difference had to come from Pakistan. I wanted to take the uniqueness of our craft, reinterpret it in a contemporary way and put it in front of an international audience. If people left the show curious about Hala, about our artisans and about Pakistani craftsmanship, then for me that was incredibly meaningful.”
What’s so special about showing in Paris? Zainab says, “For me, Paris felt like the natural next step. After building ZC through bridal wear, luxury eastern wear and lawn, I wanted to show another side of the brand and explore how our craftsmanship and design language can translate into a more international wardrobe.”
“We already have a strong clientele in the Middle East, particularly for our kaftans, jackets and more contemporary pieces, so I knew there was an audience for this side of ZC. The ambition now is to take that further.”
“For me, this wasn’t about changing who we are. It was about expanding who we can be and where we can go. And honestly, I don’t see Paris as the culmination of something — I see it as a new beginning. There is so much more I want to do with ZC, so stay tuned, because I’m definitely not planning to stop here.”
Rich embellishments. Vibrant color schemes. A collection that brought a fusion of eastern stories onto western cuts. A designer who is mostly known for their beautiful bridals and luxury pret, showcasing in the world’s most fashionable city. Zainab Chottani, we are proud!
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