Blaze Of Glory

BLAZE OF GLORY

Most of us would relate to the title ‘Blaze of Glory’, for it’s a popular track by singer Bon Jon Jovi (my personal favourite). But today, here, I find it an apt title for this post because it throws open a question to you and may set you thinking — Is it right to celebrate life when there’s chaos all around you? Does it seem right to party on when your neighbour’s mourning his family’s torture? Or is it all right to let go of the gory details and concentrate on what’s bright and cheery. In fact, why not invite your mourning neighbour to join the revelry by way of fashionable ways...
And so, recently in the beginning of November, the terror-ridden state of Pakistan — our influential nuclear-arms-equipped neighbouring country, celebrated the Fashion Pakistan Week (yeah! Not Pakistan Fashion Week). The Week began with an opulent ceremony. The music to this was militant violence, I would say. However, some peppy music did play during the ramp walk. The event was sans international glitterati. None from India, I can bet. And so, flaunting some extraordinary embroidery skills and interesting silhouettes which remained undecided about remaining ‘covered’ or going more liberal, the show went on.

Models sashayed down the catwalk for four days, sporting the best creations by 32 local designers there. In the Front Rows, cheering for the models and designers were guests who themselves remained well-clad having observed varying degrees of Islamic dress sense. Yet, just a little away from this cozy dreamy fashion location, there was strict military operation conducted against Taliban in North and South Waziristan amidst attacks in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar. Needless to mention the heart-wrenching car bomb attack in Meena Bazaar, Peshawar, a place well-frequented by women and children.

At this point, I am so tempted to make a comparison with India and Mumbai especially. The dreaded terror attack occured on 26/11 in 2008 in Mumbai. Every little event, get-together, fashion show and launch was cancelled and called off because we all (Indians) mourned our personal losses. We scrambled, scurried for help but were resilient enough to stand tall. Going to work walking fearlessly in the streets of Mumbai, baring our souls while sending out a strong response to not bow or kneel down under the pressures of the terror attack, we moved on with a firm resolution to fight back.

We were strong and we are stronger today, for we remain united. But where did these terrorists come from? Well, your guess is as good as mine. And so, a few days ago, when news of the Meena Bazaar bomb attack flashed on the Indian news channels and newspapers, our eyes welled up. Who would not feel the pain of a screaming father who is hurriedly making way to an ambulance holding his injured 5-year-old son in his arms. Indians felt so strongly towards this act of shame. We condemned it. Does any religion preach hurt and misery, I ask, we ask.

Coming back to the point where we bagan this post. Is it all right to celebrate life with a fashion week at a time when your own people are in mourning. Does it matter, do we care...enough?

Girl with the blue scarf says: Fashion is extremely lifestyle-oriented. It’s a reflection of our daily moods, happiness, sorrow and pride. Don’t we all dress up when we have a special occasion in mind? Just the same way. A fashion week amidst violence and attacks - is this an act of resilience and defiance or is it a fragment of the ‘care-a-damn’ attitude.

Now, you tell me...