Jane Marriott all praise for Pakistan-UK ties, food, fashion

LONDON: British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott has described Pakistan and UK relations as "strong", stable and supported by the deep cultural ties.

The foreign dignitary was speaking to Geo News at the exhibition of Pakistani fashion designer Omar Mansoor at the London Fashion Week, where the diplomat was in attendance to support the designer and his work with Pakistani artisans.

Jane Marriott said: "To see Pakistani fashion at the London Fashion Week is absolutely amazing. This is my first time at London fashion week, seeing a whole load of designers showcasing their work. I have to say I am slightly biased. I must say Omar Mansoor’s clothes were the best, I loved his couture. The fact that it is inspired by the Indus River Valley, the earthen tone, the legacy that goes back to Pakistan’s heritage brought onto the modern stage in an incredibly wearable way. He was amazing. It was amazing."

Mansoor inaugurated the 20th presence in the London Fashion Week with his collection titled, 'Meluhas', a word that origins from ancient civilisation of the Indus Valley existed during the Middle Bronze Age. 

They were known for the crafts including seals, pottery, sculpture, gold jewellery and terracotta figures, plain pottery items are generally made of red clay, with or without a fine red or grey slip.

High Commissioner Marriott said: "Being connected to your culture and heritage is so important. That’s actually one of the great things of being a British-Pakistani, you can fuse the best of the two cultures together; you can have both heritages and be equally proud in being British and Pakistani."

Marriott said she loved Pakistan’s deep history but it was the food that she missed while in London. 

"I actually do love (Pakistan history) as I studied History at the university so I love the deep, deep history in Pakistan, the cultures that are all fused together but I have to confess it’s still the food. The deep history discussed over amazing food in Lahore and Karachi in particular," she added. 

The high commissioner said she has met a whole variety of people in Pakistan in around a year since she was appointed there. "I have to say everybody in Pakistan has been incredibly warm and welcoming, keen to share their experiences, keen to share what they love about Pakistan and there is so much to love about Pakistan. It is a real privilege to be a High Commissioner for just over a year now in Pakistan."

Talking about the UK-Pakistan relations, she said that UK Pakistan relations are always going to be strong.

"I think, you know, no more so at this particular time.

"We are working together. There is a lot of stuff going on internationally. Pakistan is about to come into the UN Security Council. There is a lot to do together, particularly celebrating 1.6 million Britons of Pakistani heritage," she said

A keen walker in Islamabad, Marriott noted: "I have to say I have been welcoming the slightly cooler weather in London. Islamabad was getting a bit hot but I am really missing my weekly walks at the Margalla Hills."

Speaking to Geo News, Mansoor said his collection is made in shades of Terracota and Ochre. 

"The earth tones are used to depict the pottery from the era. The colour being also symbolises simplicity, coziness, simple to elegant and authoritative. Terracotta, ochre, indigenous motifs and embroidery all allude to the 'Meluhas' collection indicative of trade during Indus Valley Civilisation during the Middle Bronze Age. 

"As a campaigner of sustainability in fashion, I use fabrics made up of a mix of new and recycled fibres in this collection as a means to care about our planet and a step towards shifting fashion from a linear to a circular model," he added.