DUBAI // A UAE-based Pakistani mother of two has founded a social networking club that has taken off in Dubai as it aims to inspire women from all walks of life to promote talent they have either subdued or have not had the opportunity to exhibit.
And Saira Imran said it did not matter how skilled or talented her members were with art, clothing, cooking or designing jewellery, among others - she wanted Ladyz Fuzion to be a platform where the women could learn to excel.
"Most of the ladies are housewives, but all are very talented, with no resource to showcase their talent," said Mrs Imran, 35. "The club started six months ago with 25 women, and I haven't looked back since," she added. "The response has been overwhelming."
The group has swelled to nearly 400 members, mostly by word of mouth and via Facebook. For the past eight events, and in planning for the ninth - an art exhibition followed by a fashion show - the objective has been to provide women with an opportunity to participate in what interests them.
The club has hosted fun-filled events, bazaars with booths set up by members and exhibitions displaying their work. The Eid event focused on Pakistani culture and a "go green" concept.
In another event, 30 women put up booths ranging from traditional clothing to cooked food counters. The objective, Mrs Imran said, was to promote their talent.
The idea behind Ladyz Fuzion is to motivate talented women who do not know how or where to present their work.
"Being a designer and a housewife, I wouldn't know how to exhibit my talent, but networking [at the club] helps me increase my clientele," said Haumaira Fayyaz, 34, one of five founding members of the club. She gave the example of a woman who put up a cooking stall at a club event which garnered her numerous delivery orders.
Word of the club has reached designers in Pakistan who want to exhibit their collections in the UAE. Shazia Nasir, the owner of Shaz, and Rabeya Maung, an Islamabad-based designer, flew in to participate in a recent fashion exhibition. Ms Maung returned with 10 dresses for the December 10 fashion show and some more to sell.
The designers at the fashion show were competing for a one-year contract with the JYK Fashion House, while the models were striving for awards as best female model, best male model and best face.
Although most of the models are recruited from an agency, Ladyz Fuzion introduced Maimona Irfan, a Pakistani born woman who was brought up in Dubai, who was on the runway for the first time. "I have sent my portfolio to many agencies, but never heard from them," she said. "They [Ladyz Fuzion] are the ones who got to know about my interest and are willing to give me a chance."
Pakistani women who would have otherwise relinquished their hobbies now have a support system and an outlet.
"Being a Pakistani, I am very proud to give a platform to talented Pakistanis in the UAE," said Mrs Imran, adding that her next project was a beauty pageant.
