Truck Art and Fashion

Popularity often leads to opportunities, and the same has also been true for truck art.

Once truck art became mainstream and representative of Pakistani art, fashion designers picked on the trend as well and created truck art inspired collections. Quirky one-liners from the back of trucks made it to bags and jackets, colours and designs were painted and printed on casual wear, and shoes and accessories also got an trucky upgrade.

And it’s not only high street that was influenced by the increasing popularity of truck art; haute couture and bridal wear also embraced it with open arms. Where casual opted for print, couture favoured hand embroidery. Thread replaced paint, and zaari, sequins and beading added the chamak (shine/glitter) to the look.
Craftsmanship that couture employed to create avantgarde truck art inspired ensembles was truly breathtaking, and soon travelled across Pakistani borders.

Case in point -  Rizwan Beyg’s bespoke creation for The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange 2018, which featured motifs designed by the truck artists of Pakistan. The pattern of the garment was first worked on by original truck artists and digitally printed on silk, after which it was embroidered by the village women of Bhawalpur.

The look was unveiled at Buckingham Palace, and later moved to the Australian High Commission, London, where it was open to the public in the run up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit.

Picture courtesy ninelines9