My miracle moment was when I had both brands, Sana Safinaz and Outhouse Jewelry, collaborate for fashion week. Theres a lot of competition in the market for bridal wear and everyone is doing a really good job; that client now has got 10 people she can go to. That was such a challenge for me, to become something that matches up to the expectations and successes of the rest of the women I am surrounded by, Seveen proclaims. They even have their own media wing, organizing exciting activities, meet-ups and promotions on a regular basis. But Im not. Their position is professionally very strong. According to her, hard work and dedication always pay off. Today, almost 30 years on, the brand is still defined as a trailblazer for upcoming brands and has become one of the . Fashion is one of the few thriving businesses in Pakistan. You have to keep on innovating," Safinaz says with absolute clarity. "I took it very seriously. Sana and Safinaz on their 25 years in the industry, maintaining product quality, and dealing with copied designs. "Of course we do," says Sana. Education matters. Looking back at moments like these, Shagufta feels indebted to her mother for everything she did for her during this time. The CEO of Nishat Hotels and Properties, this young mother is successful, patient and extremely down to earth. After that we decided that we are going to do lawn on our own. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy. Salina now tries to go through the day in a disciplined manner but this is an alien concept to a lot of people. And the dynamic in our company is not just hers and mines but the tons of young people who are incredibly dynamic. If we are careless as an industry, the impact is huge. Indeed, to have a daughter as loving and as strong as Sehr, it takes a devoted mother and exceptional parenting. Whats with the fair stuff? Complexion should not matter. SH: Profitability is something we will definitely see. She was much older and that allowed her to become calmer and wiser. Shaping them into free thinking girls in a world where there are so many norms to follow is my miracle moment. Sehr is an amazing mother, values all her relationships and is extremely dedicated to her work. Sana Safinaz are true innovators and trailblazers in all their business and creative endeavors and have set the bar high for the business of fashion in Pakistan. SH: Not at all. According to an American-business magazine' Forbes, ' 2020 he is 7th richest Pakistani with a net worth of 1.5 billion US dollars. I come from a family of very hardworking women. The House of Sana Safinaz has been her home away from home. The onus is on us. She remembers once she spent the whole day working and setting up the juice bar with her partner without having eaten at all, which made her literally black out. These girls hadnt even finished schools, nor could they even write, but due to this government initiative, they went on to become the highest earners in their household. I meet new people, encounter new struggles every day, the learning curve is beyond amazing.. Fashion journalists didnt exist; only a couple of magazines carried fashion shoots, today there are hundreds of publications and blogs dedicated to fashion. "And thats actually the reason why things have taken off. When you are young, you are fearless; you are at the beginning of things and you experiment. SH: The secret is to be passionate about whatever you do and 25 years on we are as passionate, if not more, than when we started. Working for them has been one of the best decisions I ever made.. We design and run bridal entirely on our own. A: How does your interiors business fit in? Thats rare in the cut throat industry she operates in. When Safi places an order for lace, the shopkeeper is happy because she has bought his entire supply. However, luck was not on her side and she failed to find a job. "Everyday we have so many new goals and so many new challenges and so many new avenues we keep embarking on. For feedback, email aurora@dawn.com, For questions regarding subscription and timely delivery, please contact on the following numbers or visit I was still in the last year of training and right after 10 days of my delivery I had to be back at work. R they both sisters, both are doing grt job. Celebrity News Coronavirus Pakistan . Then 18 years ago we went into lawn and five years ago we started doing lawn totally on our own. Salih Kalangan Umat Dunia. If you start thinking like that, youll be able to figure out your way through any situation. Lawn Royals: Sana and Safinaz. Personally, shes always had the drive to contribute something to the world, and feels everyone else should also. From being pregnant to making the effort of getting your children through the years at school, instilling the drive to work hard, teaching them about being balanced and inculcating the sense of religion, it all takes a lot. March 23, 2020. All you have to do is get a monthly facial and a good face wash. You dont need to be lavish. (ISB) +92-51-220-2701-5 Plot 12, Sector G-7/1 Mauve Area, Near Zero Point Islamabad, 44000 It was like climbing a mountain. Mehr recalls that once the binding of the magazine wasnt done properly and it was falling apart and I was having a panic attack. I tested positive Sunday night the day I arrived and have been in quarantine since the flight. "The minute we dont have it we start to get bored. SM: Look at the number of Fashion Weeks taking place every year. With prt, Shamoon (Sultan) has created millions of jobs, and with more and more companies following the trend, a massive amount of employment has been generated. This is a country of nearly 200 million people; unofficially Karachi has a population of 28 million people, Lahore approximately 11 to 12 million. [7] SH: Another issue is QC (quality control) because the fabric comes from the textile mills and it is out of your control, but we have to deal with it. But 27 years cant all be smooth sailing. Every moment of weakness I encounter, I step back and give time to myself to reflect. SH: This happens. Being a mother is hard work. Life before Sana Safinaz was good but Sana is thankful for being here. Sometimes getting it all done is really hard. News Desk. Today we own 14 shops 15 if you include our online retail this in just two and a half years; I dont think anyone has had that spurt. They both turn up to work in their own designs, everyday, and are actually - even at their age - their own best models. Despite all this it is an achievement among theie friends as no one else did. The same goes for interiors; people are not interested in our team designing their house, they want to talk to us; they want our vision. Would ve been a story if lower or middle class girls had made it. However, while going back to your roots brings to you a sense of familiarity and comfort, it has its own challenges. I have now decided that the answer to this problem is sleeping less! Number of locations. She was in a relationship with the dancer and choreographer Melvin Louis. Sana Safinaz contact info: Phone number: +92 21111003005 Website: www.sanasafinaz.com What does Sana Safinaz do? Tremendous scope; it is now about engaging and we are at the stage where the public is engaging with us. Sana Hashwani Safinaz Muneer: Headquarters: Karachi, Pakistan. From designing, printing, production, campaign planning and even marketing, it is all done in-house. SH: We will; with prt and lawn we have already done it. The fine-line comes when the design is copyrighted or if you use the design of a living artist. Sana Safinaz is famous for introducing the traditional eastern designs in most modern and innovative way that make remarkable impression over the fashion industry of the country. . Coming back to work after such a long period, however, left her at a disadvantage against her colleagues but she was determined to catch up. We never think ahead of ourselves; we take one step a time. Correct me if I am wrong. SM: In retrospect I think that had we had business degrees we would have been savvier, although our baby steps toward the bigger picture worked for us. Retail is a very tough business and it will take a long time to become solid. I had a lot of issues with the pregnancy. It was crass. We have just entered the prt field and it is a tremendous challenge. There is no long hard work challenge story here. Presently, Mr. Hashwani is Non-Executive Chairman of Pakistan Services Ltd., Chairman for Pearl Tours & Travels (Pvt) Ltd. (a subsidiary of Pakistan Services Ltd.), Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Hashwani Hotels Ltd . Here one has to nurture and build teams which understand the brand. If you come up with something this year, you cant do it the next, because the copiers will be doing it, so you have to keep rethinking your way forward. I am trying to progress to a newer place and learning new things. Iqraa has her mother to thank for making her the enterprising person she is today. SM: With bridals and light evening wear. They are starting to believe in our brand. Karachista | Pakistani Fashion & Lifestyle Mag, Karachi Eat 2017 the good, the bad and the ugly, Wedding wear on a budget an insiders guide to fabrics and craftsmanship in Karachis Bazaars, Weaving Green Pakistans first sustainable fashion line by Sapphire, Local teens give back with innovative educational games, LSA 2020 the Lux Style Awards 2020 go virtual but dont skimp on the glam, Breaking Barriers-Behind the Veil of Coke Studio With Zara Madani. Copying is a worldwide issue; even the big French fashion houses struggle with the problem. The ministry set trade schools in the right areas, where eager girls would come to learn. Lawn is a phenomenon unique to Pakistan. Established in 1989 Sana Safinaz, founded by Sana Hashwani and Safinaz Muneer, is an established fashion label and one of the most prestigious and diversified in Pakistan. The bridals have excited us in the last two years and were changing things up. Motivating people is the key to excelling and I strive to do my best in that, Iqraa explains. Sana Safinaz is part of SSFR (PVT.) But then someone else comes in and they start to take away your business and you wake up.". Currently Sana is heading PR for Sana Safinaz while simultaneously being their brand representative for Outhouse Jewelry. After a lot of contemplation, she took the most difficult decision of her life; she moved back to Pakistan and started working with Sana Safinaz. A long story of the reason for infection was also shared on social media. This way, even after 5 years of not working professionally, she was able to retain all her knowledge. Among other things, her daily to-do lists also have son time during which she focuses just on her son. "Ready to wear bridals is not a new concept but its new for us," Sana explains. SM: Retail is only as good as your team is. Its pretty hard to stop.. I have to-do lists for the week and on Sunday I realize I didnt get any of the things done. The three of us sit together and we trust Mohsin because of the youth factor. We can generate our own electricity, our own water, youre not particularly supported as small businesses, all of us are floundering and working out how to do things for ourselves. Other countries have a proper structure, they have unions and councils. She feels the older she gets, the more she needs to give herself a break and relax. Hashwani studied at the University of Karachi and in 1960 founded the Hassan Ali Company along with his brother AHSAN IQBAL YOUSUFZAI. While Sadaf feels going through the strenuous process of becoming a doctor was not that difficult, since she came from a family on doctors, getting into a male dominated field was a bit of a challenge. Do they also have a succession plan in place, I ask? Sana has managed to sail through, learn a lot and its been an amazing journey so far. She advises other young girls to do the same, and to not be bothered by the opinion of others. Managing what is indisputably Pakistans most aspirational fashion brand, Sana Hashwani and Safinaz Muneer talk about 27 years in the business and what it is that keeps them going from strength to strength. SM: Wherever there is a demand, there will be a supply. Pakistan barely has any trade schools or any sort of government support, and despite that, we see so many pioneers emerging. She passed all her exams in her first attempt and was one of the few to complete her CA in the 4 year duration. Abroad, when a designer retires, the design house goes and finds the next top designer. President of Pakistan Arif Alvi conferred the award upon Hashwani at the Pakistan National Day ceremony on March 23, 2019, at the President's House in Islamabad.[9]. "What are you going to do? On 21 November 2020, she got married to the Surat based Maulana Mufti Anas Sayied a few months . This is about two Pakistani women designing for Pakistani women, and when you get that instinct down to a pat, there is very little that can throw you off track. And after him, we will pass the baton to another person and we realize that succession plans are a key component of work. . Sadaf makes it a point to make up for the lost time later when she wraps up her work. "We came in as two very young girls," smiles Sana, "set up a business and we sort of led the path. We broke into different avenues and levels which is why we sustained our position.". Your focus changes once you become a mother. In May 2011 in a press conference, he expressed his support for Pakistan and its institutions, particularly military and expressed confidence in the abilities of Pakistanis. SH: We worked for Alkaram for three years and then we did a three year stint at Lakhany where we designed lawn under the SANA SAFINAZ by Lakhany tag. And be the first to get updates on discounts, contests, products & promotions! Cheerful and bubbly by nature, Mehr has the conviction and foresight to look at the bigger picture and after discussion with her partner they decided to go for it. When youre older you shrug it off and say, so what if missed the first step whats the big deal? See the complete profile on LinkedIn and discover Sana's connections and jobs at similar companies. When youre younger, little things seem big. The field comprised of only a handful of women at that time. PHOTO: FILE Designer duo Sana and Safinaz were spotted at the launch of their pret store in Lahore on June 3. She is a mother to three teenagers and even though she has much on her plate, she is a constant learner and strives to keep adapting with time. "When youre being humble and moving from point A to point B and youre not jealous of others and concentrating on what youre good at, I think thats the reason for our success, too.". "I flew into Karachi on Sunday from London. calling the social media . In Pakistan, copyright laws are very loosely applied; you lose market share, but you learn to live with it. But along with their sense of evolution, its also their attitude that has dictated their success. She remembers how she and her partner could not even have imagined running a weekly magazine. I start very early in the morning to make sure I complete all the tasks I am supposed to for the day which includes giving quality time to my boys. A: What made you decide to go into retail? Sana and Safinaz are in a pretty amazing position and theyre both pretty amazing themselves, considering the position Pakistani fashion is in these days. "Were not arrogant," Safinaz echoes the thought. LIMITED. There are always projects, opportunities. Do they ever think anything is enough? Running a business in Pakistan is a challenge in itself. Every woman should have the ability to support herself if she chooses to. After graduating, she was having a great time working with Diesel and as an assistant stylist to Ford Modelling Agency. Pakistani's popular clothing and accessories retailer Sana Safinaz on Monday condemned rumours that their CEO Sana Hashwani has contracted the novel coronavirus. What is the use of it? A: How do you escape this? Established in 1989 Sana Safinaz, founded by Sana Hashwani and Safinaz Muneer, is an established fashion label and one of the most prestigious and diversified in Pakistan. Sanas favorite remedy is getting massages, even if she has to call someone home to get it done. SH: The growth is so tremendous, you cant think about any other business. Do not fall into that rat race, love yourself, be focused, tell your subconscious you can and it starts bringing it together. But the industry has won accolades and made fashion shine. Pakistani's popular clothing and accessories retailer Sana Safinaz on Monday condemned rumours that their CEO Sana Hashwani has contracted the novel coronavirus. Its exhausting! I also free- lance for fashion houses from time to time to remain hands on with my skills, says Seveen. This is a one-on-one business; nothing is available from a store, because the minute we open a store, the market will be flooded with copies. 27 years into the business, having experienced both highs and lows, they are just as excited by fashion, today, as they were when they started out. With a heart of gold and a cheerful demeanor, Miracle Woman Sehr Kazmi knows well how to juggle motherhood and work. Mehr realized that mistakes happen, and that they didnt have to be as hard on themselves as they were. However, she is glad about the fact that because women like herself continued to push for it, the current trend is much different and there are many more females preparing to become surgeons. Whatever weakness I highlight; workplace pressure, home pressure, kids demands, husbands demands, one thing everyone has to be very clear about, is their goals. It reaffirmed to me that I am capable of doing anything I want to. Thank you Shagufta for teaching us it is never too late to start anew, for teaching us to have faith in ourselves and embrace each challenge with a stride. Iqraa believes that with changing times, standing up on your own feet is imperative for every man and woman. [1][2], Born in Karachi, Sind Province, British India into a Sindhi Khoja Shia Muslim family. Sometimes you need to take a detour even when the goalpost is within your sight. Two very extraordinary ladies. In fact she entered this field because of her own skin troubles. We started when the industry was at zero. An amalgamation of the ideas put forward by Sana Hashwani and Safinaz Muneer, the brand, which is now 27 years old, revolutionized the market time and again, and has been a constant pathbreaker in what couture and fast fashion means in Pakistan. Linked companies : Jubilee General Insurance Company Limited - Landmark Spinning Industries Limited. After failing to get into any college in Karachi, Shagufta decided to pursue her education privately. We provide you with the latest breaking news and videos straight from the entertainment industry. 2 years ago, Mehr, along with her partner Sameena Khan, started a glossy magazine called Paper Magazine. They were then approached by Pakistan Today to rebrand their weekly magazine. She convinced her family to put marriage on the backseat temporarily while she studied to become a Chartered Accountant. A: What are the main challenges for fashion as an industry? A: Then there is the issue of designers themselves copying prints. Apparel collections include but are not limited to Pret, Diffusion and Bridal Couture lines. Honey, India need not copy you. Sana and Safinaz introduced the concept of lawn as formalwear, introducing chiffon, silk and net dupattas to dress it up. Years ago I would go to a wedding and would think about how good the bride looks, the groom could probably have been better and whether or not the decor is nice. Every day there is a new challenge and a new way to problem solving.". There isnt an iota of insecurity in what shes doing; Safinaz is generous and is going out of her way to help. Dont they worry about being plagiarized, as the copycat culture has snowballed in the past decade or so, with the countrys major designers worried about the lack of regulations when it comes to intellectual copyrights. Every Monday morning, I feel I cant go on anymore. But Mehr manages to pull through every time and the cycle continues. Sana has 1 job listed on their profile. Its something that makes her day. Of course, theres healthy competition and were all competing against one another but theres also a line that you draw. Anugerah. KARACHI: In an exclusive interview with . By Web Desk. The duo is all set to launch its first Muzlin collection of the year and their ubiquitous luxury lawn is right around the corner too.