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Pride of Pakistan: Nilofer Shahid
In lieu of Independence Day on August 14, all of August the Daily Times will highlight individuals who continue to make Pakistan proud. Our third interview is with the dynamic fashion designer and humanitarian Nilofer Shahid
When did you know a career as a fashion designer was for you? Have you had an inspiration or mentor, of sorts?
It has been a long and tough journey and has been an evolution of sorts. One thing led to another. In 1979, I started out doing block prints and hand painting, moved onto embroideries and finally launched The House of Meeras in 1991. The only inspiration behind my work, for the past 30 years, has been Pakistan's own rich culture and traditions and every form of art, indigenous crafts and textiles that our artisans employ. One must have the passion to take these things forward, locally and internationally. The guidance came with great history and potential from my own conviction and from the depths of my soul. I have a passion to translate the works of our grand masters like Abdur Rahman Chughtai, Allama Iqbal, Mirza Ghalib, Omar Khayyam, Kahlil Gibran and Rumi and pay a tribute to these great legends.
"I have always chosen the toughest paths, never taken any short cuts and followed my dreams. As a woman, there has always been a lot on my plate but it's all how you manage"
Why did you choose the name Meeras for your fashion house?
"Meeras" mean legacy and our very own heritage. In retrospect, what better word could I give it? It was also a sort of defiance to all the foreign influences, which consume our society and put our own identity in crisis.
How would you define fashion?
The best quality of fashion is that it has no quantum definition, no boundaries and no geographical barriers. It's a global family. You cannot put fashion in a box. The power of fashion lies only in one's own persona, effective only in the beauty of elegance and carriage. Fashion is definitely not a tool for one's popularity or success. It is who you are within, which shines through and your inherent style and intellect individuality which defines you.
You have been the only Pakistani couturier to showcase at Paris Couture Week along with the likes of Balenciaga and last year, you were awarded the prestigious Grade de Chevalier in the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government for your innovative reimaging of Pakistani craftsmanship at the Governor House, Lahore. Can you tell us more about that?
Grade de Chevalier is the knight hood bestowed by the French government and it was definitely a defining moment and something very humbling for me. My dream was to put Pakistan on the fashion map and no doubt I have passionately pursued this path relentlessly. In general, my vision for Pakistan has no boundaries. There is great potential and no dearth of talent in any area and very soon we will triumph! Regarding our fashion field, finally the recognition has come and the boom of our industry is here. I have great hopes and aspirations for Pakistan and the Pakistan fashion industry. A new era has begun.
What does it mean to be Pakistani for you?
I'm a very proud Pakistani and very proud of our exotic heritage in all aspects.
What do you do when you face a setback or a hurdle in any of your plans or ventures?
I am a total fatalist with strong faith and determination. I have always chosen the toughest paths, never taken any short cuts and followed my dreams. As a woman, there has always been a lot on my plate but it's all how you manage. It's how you learn to manage to have belief in your convictions. Behind all my humble achievements and these exotic collections are years of research, trials and tribulations, constant hard work, soul searching journeys, sheer perseverance and of course, a deep passion for my work.
"My dream was to put Pakistan on the fashion map and no doubt I have passionately pursued this path relentlessly"
You have not showcased any of your prêt or bridal collections at local fashion weeks. Why not?
I have been very busy with my work and I am also currently revamping and restructuring my work place. After working for more than 30 years, one does need a well-deserved breather.
When you're not working, you are....
My family is my first priority, I love spending time with my children and grand children. I also love travelling and exploring the world.
What's keeping you busy these days?
I'm planning and working on new couture collections and will be launching my luxury prêt designs along with jewellery, accessories and more.
We, at Daily Times, consider you one of our national heroes. Who are some of yours?
Thank you for the honour. It's most humbling. We have no dearth of national heroes. We are a great nation and we absolutely need to be proud of who we are. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Iqbal, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Sadequain and Abdur Rahman Chughtai are mine.
Achievements
In lieu of Independence Day on August 14, all of August the Daily Times will highlight individuals who continue to make Pakistan proud. Our third interview is with the dynamic fashion designer and humanitarian Nilofer Shahid
When did you know a career as a fashion designer was for you? Have you had an inspiration or mentor, of sorts?
It has been a long and tough journey and has been an evolution of sorts. One thing led to another. In 1979, I started out doing block prints and hand painting, moved onto embroideries and finally launched The House of Meeras in 1991. The only inspiration behind my work, for the past 30 years, has been Pakistan's own rich culture and traditions and every form of art, indigenous crafts and textiles that our artisans employ. One must have the passion to take these things forward, locally and internationally. The guidance came with great history and potential from my own conviction and from the depths of my soul. I have a passion to translate the works of our grand masters like Abdur Rahman Chughtai, Allama Iqbal, Mirza Ghalib, Omar Khayyam, Kahlil Gibran and Rumi and pay a tribute to these great legends.
"I have always chosen the toughest paths, never taken any short cuts and followed my dreams. As a woman, there has always been a lot on my plate but it's all how you manage"
Why did you choose the name Meeras for your fashion house?
"Meeras" mean legacy and our very own heritage. In retrospect, what better word could I give it? It was also a sort of defiance to all the foreign influences, which consume our society and put our own identity in crisis.
How would you define fashion?
The best quality of fashion is that it has no quantum definition, no boundaries and no geographical barriers. It's a global family. You cannot put fashion in a box. The power of fashion lies only in one's own persona, effective only in the beauty of elegance and carriage. Fashion is definitely not a tool for one's popularity or success. It is who you are within, which shines through and your inherent style and intellect individuality which defines you.
You have been the only Pakistani couturier to showcase at Paris Couture Week along with the likes of Balenciaga and last year, you were awarded the prestigious Grade de Chevalier in the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government for your innovative reimaging of Pakistani craftsmanship at the Governor House, Lahore. Can you tell us more about that?
Grade de Chevalier is the knight hood bestowed by the French government and it was definitely a defining moment and something very humbling for me. My dream was to put Pakistan on the fashion map and no doubt I have passionately pursued this path relentlessly. In general, my vision for Pakistan has no boundaries. There is great potential and no dearth of talent in any area and very soon we will triumph! Regarding our fashion field, finally the recognition has come and the boom of our industry is here. I have great hopes and aspirations for Pakistan and the Pakistan fashion industry. A new era has begun.
What does it mean to be Pakistani for you?
I'm a very proud Pakistani and very proud of our exotic heritage in all aspects.
What do you do when you face a setback or a hurdle in any of your plans or ventures?
I am a total fatalist with strong faith and determination. I have always chosen the toughest paths, never taken any short cuts and followed my dreams. As a woman, there has always been a lot on my plate but it's all how you manage. It's how you learn to manage to have belief in your convictions. Behind all my humble achievements and these exotic collections are years of research, trials and tribulations, constant hard work, soul searching journeys, sheer perseverance and of course, a deep passion for my work.
"My dream was to put Pakistan on the fashion map and no doubt I have passionately pursued this path relentlessly"
You have not showcased any of your prêt or bridal collections at local fashion weeks. Why not?
I have been very busy with my work and I am also currently revamping and restructuring my work place. After working for more than 30 years, one does need a well-deserved breather.
When you're not working, you are....
My family is my first priority, I love spending time with my children and grand children. I also love travelling and exploring the world.
What's keeping you busy these days?
I'm planning and working on new couture collections and will be launching my luxury prêt designs along with jewellery, accessories and more.
We, at Daily Times, consider you one of our national heroes. Who are some of yours?
Thank you for the honour. It's most humbling. We have no dearth of national heroes. We are a great nation and we absolutely need to be proud of who we are. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Iqbal, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Sadequain and Abdur Rahman Chughtai are mine.
Achievements
- Paris Couture Week
Nilofer Shahid has been the only Pakistani to showcase at Paris Couture Week along with the likes of Balenciaga. Shahid was lauded for her exquisite couture collections, where the juries equated her work to that of Christian Dior.
- Grade de Chevalier
Nilofer Shahid is the recipient of the prestigious Grade de Chevalier in the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government for her innovative reimaging of Pakistani craftsmanship
- World Fashion Week 2012
Nilofer Shahid was the official representative of Pakistan during the World Fashion Week 2012, held in New York