“Departure and Arrival” delves into the concept of transition, symbolizing the process of change. Raasmia Haque, an architect and footwear designer, explores this sentiment through her innovative designs. While the alienation to one’s own environment surges, Haque expresses her determination to remain rooted in her familiar surroundings and personal experiences. Her departure and arrival take on different meanings, transitioning from one idea to another, one medium to the next, both physically and metaphorically. The designs can be categorized into two distinct groups. The first group showcases Haque’s fresh and minimalist renditions of the ‘chappal,’ a footwear style synonymous with South Asian regions. The second group features a limited edition collection of footwear adorned with illustrated visuals that evoke local imagery, amplifying the themes of departure and arrival. Each piece in this collection has been locally, meticulously handcrafted, undergoing various stages of production. Through her footwear and bags, Raasmia Haque’s designs mirror her personal journey and her unwavering connection to her homeland.

Artist Statement

Raasmia’s distinctive collection – that showcases her design skills -delving into the concept of immigration and the pursuit of a better future in foreign lands; a notion commonly spreading through generations old and young in Pakistan.

The collection features meticulously crafted renditions of the ‘chappal’, footwear patent to the South Asian regions . The collection/designs piece together symbolic representations of hope and reminiscence of going beyond one’s homeland, and takes inspiration from the stories and experiences of individuals who have embarked on transformative journeys of migration. Haque skillfully portrays the bitter-sweetness of this experience through her designs.

Each piece in this collection has been carefully handcrafted through its various stages of production. The chappals by Raasmia Haque are exclusive in their making and concept while also mirroring the designer’s journey and pull to stay and work in her homeland.

About Raasmia

Raasmia Haque is both, an architect and footwear designer based in Karachi, Pakistan. Haque has been formally trained in her disciplines at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, Karachi, at Polimoda in Florence, Italy, and at the University of Arts London.

Haque’s persistent interest to design fresh and novel products have facilitated opening doors to her new venture, TheSideProject.