General News
3 July, 2026
Fashion exhibition begins
Fashion designed in Australia and hand-crafted in Pakistan will be exhibited for the first time in Avoca this weekend.
Avoca’s Gallery 127 is hosting the fashion designs of Pakistani artist Amna Irshad throughout July.
The exhibit’s rich textures and vibrant colours include inter-continental pieces and traditional Pakistani clothing.
Ms Irshad said all the clothing is designed by her and hand-made by a team of women in Pakistan.
“I’m a mother and I want to help other mothers,” she said.
Ms Irshad began experimenting with fashion during COVID following decades of creative work in other mediums.
“I can’t live without … creating something,” she said.
Ms Irshad said she completed a master’s degree in fine art in 1998.
This kicked off her career with professional oil painting including exhibitions throughout Pakistan.
However, she pivoted in 2001, with the increasing use of computers.
She studied film-making and in 2003 received her masters — later going on to create an award winning independent film.
In 2006 she moved to Australia, first working as a private art teacher, but later in photography, video, makeup, and hair.
However, when the pandemic kept everyone indoors, Ms Irshad learned a new skill turned business by 2024.
She said people’s mental health was impacted during COVID because they were disconnected from everyday things.
“There was no celebration of your life,” she said.
Her remedy to that, and the mass-produced clothing that’s so commonplace, is celebrating what’s hand crafted.
She said her clothes supported around six families overseas by helping the women to work from home.
“I feel so proud of myself that I’m helping raise their children,” she said.
She knows first hand the challenges of motherhood, recalling how her baby would lay on her chest while she worked.
“[It’s like] climbing Mt Everest without shoes,” she said.
The community is invited to explore the fruits of their labour at the opening of ‘Dress to Impress’, from 2 pm on July 4, and throughout the rest of the month.