“I love my city’s fashion, it is very multicultural…”
Fashion Designer SALEHA QURESHI in the spotlight!
Saleha Qureshi is another creative name, emerging in the world of Pakistani fashion industry with her glamorous and eye catchy creations. She surely know how to grab women’s heart with her extremely flattering and breath-taking dresses and just believe that the clothes are about dressing to impress with excess and finesse. Here she gave an exclusive interview by sharing their precious thoughts to Social Diary.
Tell us something about yourself; what’s your educational background and how did you enter this field? Till O levels, I was at Convent of Jesus and Mary and then continued my A levels from Karachi Grammar School. I attended till the 3rd year at Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture in Textile Design and after that I couldn’t continue as I had my first baby. After my completion of A levels and before joining at Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, I had a six-months gap so I had a short course in fashion design from Central Saint Martins.
How do you keep yourself up-to-date with latest fashion trends?
I don’t think there is anything as the latest fashion trends; I design according to what I like. When I see something which is according to my likeness I appreciate it and start following it.
What is the important trait which a fashion designer should have for a successful career?
It is very important to be passionate in any profession. One must not only work with the point to only making money, if one only aims to that so it can be clearly seen in your work. So passion is very important in whatever you do.
When did you realize you that you can be a good fashion designer?
I was brought up around this business since my childhood. My mother has been in this business since the last 35 years and I have been seeing it since a very long time. When I was a kid I started making clothes for my dolls and I spent most of my time on the block printing table and this was the way that leaded me to my studies at Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture. As a teenager I would keep small showcases for my family members and slowly my interest expanded and it turned out for me to be a fashion designer.
What was the first article of clothing you designed?
I started hand painting this piece of fabric and it made a lot of effort towards it, I spent a lot of time on painting it. When I got done it turned into a very beautiful art piece and I decided to turn it into a cape and keep it for myself.
Where do you see yourself in next five years?
I don’t like restricting myself and I will be going forward in my career and not looking back. Let’s see what the future holds for us.
How would you define your city’s fashion?
I love my city’s fashion, it is very multicultural, you get to see a lot of variety some will be wearing longer hemlines while some will be in the shorter ones. No one follows a specific rule of fashion but yet everyone likes to keep it fashionable.
If you weren’t a fashion designer then what would you have been?
An artist, I would be painting. How would you describe your personal style?
I like to follow straight lines, I keep it simple classic yet elegant at the same time.
What are your hobbies?
Painting I like to paint. Any time of the day when I am free I start painting whether that is for my business, house or anything, I just starting painting. Recently I explored painting on fabrics and that is very accessible to me.
Tell us something about the process of sketching a design. What kind of paper and pencil do you use?
The process is very casual! I love collecting stationeries especially colored pens but when it comes to sketching I don’t mind scribbling it on the tissue paper as well so that I don’t lose track on my ideas. Otherwise I sketch on a canvas sketch book with the felt-tip pens.
What are your favorite colors to work with and why?
My favorite colors are the bright colors, and 90% of my wardrobe is also filled with bright hues. I mostly work with corals, magenta and the reason why I like bright colors is that they attract me.
What are your favorite fabrics to work with and why?
Voile is my favorite fabric because it is suitable to Karachi’s weather. It can be worn in the daytime and if dressed well it can also be a part of the evening wear. The fabric has a great fall and I love it! I also wish to work with good quality Voile as they are not easily available in Karachi.
From where can people buy your clothes?
From my outlet at Zamzama Mall, Karachi.
What advice do you have for aspiring fashion designers?
To set a goal and work towards it and don’t expect to hit the gold at your first strike. You should be patient and work towards it. Slow and steady wins the race!
Message for ‘Social Diary’ readers?
Thank you for interviewing me and making me a part of your issue. Magazine like Social Diary give a great platform to emerging talents and keep rocking like that.
“Voile is my favorite fabric because it is suitable to Karachi’s weather. It can be worn in the daytime and if dressed well it can also be a part of the evening wear…”
To set a goal and work towards it and don’t expect to hit the gold at your first strike. You should be patient and work towards it. Slow and steady wins the race!
