The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Prince of Wales will attend the opening of a unique exhibition of contemporary textile works using traditional Pakistani craft skills in London on November 18.

The exhibition is part of a long-term social development project designed to improve the income of skilled women artisans from Pakistan.

It is the first time their work will be shown to international buyers and retailers. The aim of the exhibition is to provide the women with direct access to European markets for high quality textile products, soft furnishings and couture.

Organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Rural Support Programmes Network (RSPN) in Pakistan, the exhibition is the result of a three-year pilot project led by the Gender Section of the Secretariat and RSPN. It represents their ongoing commitment to gender issues, poverty reduction and economic empowerment.

The partnership between international designers and the rural women began with a series of master class design workshops held in Karachi and in the northern areas of Pakistan in September last year. Since then, 40 women artisans have been involved in producing the textile crafts on display which will be marketed directly by the designers.

Up to 30 samples will be on show, ranging from cushion covers, dresses, bedding, shawls and wall hangings, said a message received here.

"It is inspiring to see the amazing products that have come out of the partnership between contemporary European design skills and the incredibly fine detailed stitching and beadwork of the women.

"The products on show illustrate real potential for these traditional skills in western markets-this is the beginning of something really special," said Mo Tomaney, designer and consultant on the project.

At the exhibition, a documentary film and photographic display will tell the story of the project, while tribal craft pieces will show the skills in their traditional context.

Visitors will be able to hear testimonials from the women about their lives, livelihoods and hopes for the future as prospective skilled artisans working with international designers. Two of the artisans will travel from Pakistan to represent the voices of the women who made the exhibition possible.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma, who will officially open the event said: "Women continue to make up a disproportionate number of the world's poor. Empowering them economically to access international markets will be an important step towards helping them achieve sustainable livelihoods, and a key step towards winning the fight against global poverty."

Invited guests include designers, buyers and retailers; as well as representatives from the international development sector.

The exhibition is in keeping with the work of The Prince's School of Traditional Arts, which regenerates and sustains traditional art forms both in the UK and internationally.