Never before has our planet been raided by an influx of fashion & style like today. Gone are the days of conformity and conventionality, the upcoming designers of today vividly merge the old and the new trends to give fashion a new definition. Similarly the fashion industry of Pakistan has also witnessed a recent surge of fashion designers who have taken the nation by storm, giving the stagnant fashion scene a new reason to look forward. Amongst this mob of fashion designers, though many new names have mushroomed but only a few have been able to make a mark and Thomas Fernandes is definitely one of them.

Besides slinging a lot of verbal abuse, I have also seen actresses involved in intense war over nothing serious. I’m quite fed up of denying repeatedly that I seriously don’t believe in the numbers game. I want to consolidate my position with my performance and not by indulging in media gossip. I keep comparing myself with my past work and make sure that the deficiencies left earlier are not repeated in my next projects. My race is with myself.

Thomas Fernandes is not alien to the fads and ways of this stylish realm. He entered Pakistan's fashion scene as a photographer four years back from a company called 'Click' having beside him the amity of a friend (whose name he is reluctant to reveal). While his friend did the make-up, and he captured the splendor of the models on camera, they were trying to attain for themselves certain aspirations. It was not very long after that the agency was brought down, and both Joseph and his friend took separate ways on the boulevard of Pakistani Media. Joseph came under the umbrella of a private channel which didn't last long too. "It was during this time that I slowly and gradually started designing clothes. As soon as I started getting a positive response from my clients, I resigned from the channel and stepped into full fledged designing" recalls Joseph. But this time, he believed it was all for the good, because he eventually had found himself inclined to a new awakening of a Fashion whiz.

Thomas has had no formal education in fashion yet, but he believes his habit of regular viewing of T.V. programs and fashion channels and magazines have assisted him well in order to fortify his position in the Fashion Industry. But then the industry is malicious and would never let a fragile contender, in any way, stay for a long time, and this is why he does plan to seek some fashion courses very soon. "Formal training, I believe, would not only provide me a substantial background to understand intricate and complex side of designing but it would also eradicate the flaws and imperfection, if my work has any.

Thomas Fernandes sails into flashback! He recalls how he started off his career by designing his first line of shirts for men, both formal and funky, which were widely venerated by the people. There were companions by his side, though thick and thin, and therefore he holds, in high esteem the part Faisal Qureshi, Mickey Momi, Naveed Rashid, Raheel, Irum and indeed, his own family, played in his life. "If they hadn’t been there, I would be nowhere today. Their inspiration and belief helped me to cultivate the position I hold today. So I, therefore owe them all a great deal."

Talking about his contribution in the Pakistan fashion scene Thomas Fernandes proudly declares that he owns the credit of introducing the trend of Red Trousers for the first time. "I like to play with colors. They do inspire me, be they red, green or yellow. I believe that nothing but colors represent a mood and a personality better than anything. Vivid and glitzy colors inspire me and I feel every color has a different mode and a designer's job is to identify the latent and intricate link between the colors and apply to his outfits astutely". Apart from all this, there is still a lot more in his portfolio to talk about. His part in the Inter Continental Beauty Contest proved the next big thing for him where model Salma Ilyas displayed his outfits and eventually bagged the most coveted Miss Photogenic award. In another exhibition at Women Development Organization, his outfit line created quite a stir and he was declared the best up-coming designer and got his trophy from Deepak Parwani.

Besides colours another thing that he, as a designer, gives a lion share of attention to is the cuts. "A good outfit to me means how considerately the cuts, while making an outfit, have been taken into account. I don't think that the use of ample embellishments and intense embossing could take an outfit line to the top 'cause a simple nicely stitched outfit with striking cuts could be more captivating," emphasizes Thomas Fernandes who works on western lines. Even the gowns which he designs are a tangible testimonial of his inclination. Inspired by Dolce` and Gabbana, Thomas Fernandes desires to work all by himself and not under a certain brand or label rendering his designs, transcending out of the fashion

Facing an industry which gets so catty at times and in an environment of cut throat competition, Thomas Fernandes would have to brawl against the nasty and malicious traits of our fashion industry. "Hypocrisy and backstabbing are the two besetting sins, most common of all. People don't let any chance go where they couldn't bog someone down," al’right but then how does he handle it, I argue, "I prefer to go on my own. I try as much as I can afford to stay aloof. Like I hate mingling in social parties where all that crap crops up. For me my work has the highest value and the rest are secondary things. I believe those people involve in gossip who don't have a product of their own to show, so they try to attain recognition by the other means."

Dismayed and highly enraged with our so called media gods, Thomas Fernandes protests that their rigidity doesn't let new talent get recognition. "It is the same bunch of experienced, yet old, people who had occupied the throne of media, and would continue to do so for their vested interest. They simply don't have any time to help burgeoning talent in their career's metamorphosis. It feels pleasant to see new channels coming up and I forecast a positive attitude."

Owning and running an outlet is quite a trend these days and many designers seem to be a part of the rat race. But Thomas Fernandes perceives it differently. "Though I'm not against it but at the same time it doesn't mean that if I don't have an outlet, I'm not a designer. Having outlets now is becoming an essentiality, both to gain recognition, and serve his clients. I do plan to open my outlets in Sialkot, Lahore and then in Karachi. Most of my prospective clients hail from Lahore who are quite fond of my work.

Comparing the fashion trends of Lahore and Karachi, Thomas Fernandes has no two opinions that Lahoris are ahead when it comes to following Fashion in its true sense. "I found people of Lahore more fashionable from heart whereas people of Karachi, usually go for it just for the sake of it. Even new fashion is being responded to by the Lahori's first. However, I haven’t been able to decipher the reason as yet but I think maybe because there is too much of happening in Karachi. In addition to its being a business city, the people have scarce time to attend to fashion and all that.

Thomas Fernandes believes that there is still a long way to go and a lot more that he is required to prove to reach a contentment level. Stakes are definitely high and the spirit higher. "I would soon be exhibiting my winter collection. I think my new suiting collection would provoke fascination amongst men and women, as it is quite unconventional, chic yet stylish," declares Thomas Fernandes earnestly as he is fully geared up to unfold many more surprises in upcoming fashion shows scheduled to take place in Bhurban and U.K later this year.

Unfolding the details of his upcoming projects, Thomas Fernandes surprised us with the news that he is assisting director Usman Noman in making a movie "Kora ---the Myth" "This movie would be a joint venture of Pakistani and Indian actors, and there is nothing better, he believes, he could be a part of. Usman Noman would be presenting his directorial expertise, while I would be choreographing and designing the wardrobe for the star cast which includes Sohail Samir, Juhi Permal(from the Kum Kum fame) and a new female actress from the U.K." he tells enthusiastically .

Thomas appreciates the efforts of Ammar Bilal and Deepak Parwani referring to their immense contribution in giving Paki fashion a new trend and an international feel. Among up-coming designers he forecasts Ahsan Husnain, as a new force if he continues to work hard. Thomas also holds great appreciation for our veteran models like Vinnie, Iraj, Imaan and Suneeta, while he highly detests those new models who have turned the industry difficult to tackle with unprofessional attitudes. "We should all be happy that the fashion scene is on a positive track so we must try to invest our best efforts to let it grow to get an international identification. We should stop maneuvering things to feast our individualistic whims for at least once, making our way to success easy and fascinating," exclaims Thomas.