By Rahila Jeddy / Rafiq Vayani
The end of June 2020 was about to come. Never ending work from home schedule, too many home chores and monotonous day and night gave birth to Metanoia by Sultan. A vivid memory of stopping to a stationary shop was a desperate urge to grab a sketch book and colours. Patterns were drawn, paisleys were made and resulted the first collection in making. My dearest Mariam Sajid from Al-Anwar was a guide in this journey.
The first few months of Metanoia were experiential learning. The search of Karigars and artisans took me to the streets of various places in Karachi. Bohari Bazaar and Khokrapara now being too close to my heart. The never ending visits to fabric manufacturers, dyers, block printer and hand embroiderers started in partial lock down.
The fear of what if I would get into contact with disease was lost somewhere. I remember sitting with my karigar and debating on the colours of thread for embroidery, making and unmaking the pattern, and during all this creative discourse, he mumbled, ‘apka fashion hai yeh aur hamara rizq’- the words struck me. COVID-19 jolted their lives completely. Each time when I visit some karghanas, I noticed the karigars and tailors greedily wait for work. There were times when they had so much work in hand that approaching and getting a jora made from them seemed like a task. During this entire process, I met various small businesses and young entrepreneurs who suffered heavily.
The youth especially kids students in O/ A levels or in universities try to unburden their fathers who were in deep distress during this global pandemic challenge. The Grand Gala 2020 was a hope for many to come back to life, to fight of despair and shrug off the hopeless off their shoulders. Some 25 people participated at Nadia Cafe, Karachi Mariott on 25th December 2020 with a yearning to be recognised and acknowledged. They wanted people to appreciate their effort for working silently during this crucial stage in everyone’s life.
The names of upcoming entrepreneurs and small businesses aiming to be a brand one day are mentioned below;
- Samreen Syed’s Jewels
- Peacock’s Fabric
- Al-Anwar
- Woody Wood
- Omorfia
- UZ Clothing
- Style Frenzy
- Poshaak by NB
- Myra’s collection
- Native by Hajra
- Apparels by U & S
- K.dot
- KnH
- Yasfim Libas-e-Khaas
- PJ’s Jars
- AAZZ
- Al Rahman Ajrak Centre
- M & H
- Brandum
- Colourful Cream
- 9th Avenue
The Grand Gala was organised by Metanoia by Sultan, who believe in transforming souls and minds. The paradigm shift is the need of an hour and we hope with your support and care, this will occur.
Fab Associates was part of the event with a promise to provide them an Avenue of their shop/outlet at Baharia Town. Our photography was volunteered by Fateyab Rehman.
