Breaking Barriers
Tuesday, November 10th, 2009This is a special week as we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. I won’t disclose my age on this blog, but at the time of the fall of the wall, I was not old enough to fully understand the tremendous importance of this event. The event was important from so many angles, including every social, political and economic standpoint. All of the elements of history that were experienced not so long ago can still be felt when walking through the amazing streets of Berlin. I believe Berlin is a city every traveler will enjoy!
Earlier this week, while traveling in Montreal with GT publisher Fran Gallagher, I read an article in the Canadian newspaper, The Globe and Mail, about another culture breaking down a wall of its own. The article detailed the first fashion week to take place in Karachi, Pakistan.
In my opinion, this is a brilliant breakthrough and a peaceful way to show the world how much this culture has to offer aside from the horrific events we read about in the news every day. One of the lead designers, Rizwan Beyg, who once dressed Princess Diana, was even quoted as saying, “There’s so much more to Pakistan. It’s not just suicide jackets and al-Qaeda.”
Models walked down the runways with bare shoulders. I am sure they were considered scantily clad in the conservative Muslim world of Pakistan. Some pictures can be viewed online; the clothes and models were truly beautiful. The winning designer from the Pakistan Fashion Week will win a free slot at Miami Fashion Week. This is all wonderful and a great place, I believe, to continue breaking down barriers, showing the global world what the people — not the extremists — of Pakistan have to offer.
– Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher
