For years the fashion industry has been criticised for not adequately promoting local culture. Then came Uth Oye! with t-shirts inspired by Pakistan’s complex culture and turbulent politics. The apparel’s innovative design and message made the business an overnight hit.
Pictures of Haseena “item bum” battling a monster and Quaid-e-Azam’s iconic headshot juxtaposed with a blurb saying “dude where my country is?”, completed captured the youth’s imagination.
After creating a furore amongst the youth through online viral marketing, Uth Oye! finally opened its very own store on MM Alam road, on June 10. The new shop, which is located on the second floor of Ali Towers, features an actual cutout of a Bedford truck as the sales counter, and truck murals swathing the changing rooms.
The launch was a fresh and fun event. The innovative setup and creative decor of the new venue impressed the crowd. Rock band Quadrum’s performance, which included improvised vocals of “We will rock you” and “Uth Oye!”, energized the crowd. Many prominent celebrities, designers and young people were present at the inaugural event.
Babar Khan, the energetic creative director of Uth Oye! appeared happy with the high turnout at the event. The young entrepreneur explained that the basic intent behind his designs is to celebrate Pakistani culture. Thus his brand’s t-shirts, which essentially sport desi themes and logos, are inspired by seemingly banal social and political realities of the country, ranging from truck art to Lollywood.
“It’s not a secret that we are a very xenocentric society. We like our clothes from Calvin Klein or from other foreign brands,” said Khan. “But our brand is instead trying to perpetuate the idea that Pakistan is cool.”
