A new name emerged on E Street this week, finding its way to a fancy façade next to popular eateries Xander’s and Colette, and offering a very generous range of ready to wear as well as festive, customised clothing for the style savvy. Annus Abrar, a young AIFD graduate, and a relatively new name in the industry, celebrated the opening of his flagship store. It was an event that was cool in both temp and attendance as it saw the popular faces of Ayeza Khan, Sonya Hussyn, Aiman Khan and others beam into a thoroughly chilled space that was a welcome respite from the heat wave Karachi has been suffering.
Annus Abrar began his business on a personal level when he was still at school; in fact, he used profits from his young brand to pay his college fee, he remembers. He already had a name in the business by the time he graduated in 2013 and ten years on, today, that name found itself on the brand’s first flagship store in Karachi.
Admitting to love designing wedding wear and bridals, Annus says it was Bunto Kazmi’s love for tradition, craft and intricate workmanship that always inspired him when he was growing up. He would keep the Bunto Kazmi aesthetic in mind when designing for his mother and sisters.
On a personal level, as designers draw upon their own experiences, exposures and life in general to build a personal aesthetic, Annus says it is local flowers that interest him wherever he goes. Flowers of a specific region, exotic birds and architecture of a place…these are elements that he’s fascinated by and what you’ll see manifest in his designs. There is a love for nature and vintage design.
Reflecting on his personal aesthetic, the store offers something for almost everyone. Annus Abrar basics starts at 13,000 and the range works through casuals, workwear, a festive edit and then heavier pieces. Even the basics, however, are detail oriented and come with a variety of different elements.
It really is a beautiful store, with a lot to offer women looking for ready to wear options as well as customised clothing. One would advise Annus to work on building a distinct signature that can be spotted as his brand identity. That will come with a focus on innovation and by building an identity via strong campaigns. One hopes to see him go from strength to strength.