Zara Shahjahan opens its doors

LAHORE:

A life-size portrait of Audrey Hepburn greets you once you enter the stairwell leading up to the store. Chalkboard walls adorned with birdcages and quotes from iconic personalities transport the client into a very different time period. The quirky store resonates vintage. From the wooden trimmings around the door to the frames hung on the wall, the Zara Shahjahan flagship store resonates with her personality and style.

The flagship store opened its doors on March 21. “The store reflects Zara Shahjahan’s love for everything old and vintage,” says Saif Rehman, Marketing Director and husband of the designer, “a hint of the same touch can be seen in Zara’s new summer collection, with vintage floral prints and pastel colors taking a front seat.”

Shahjahan’s latest collection follows the international trend of colour blocking; she has churned out shirts in chickankari and grip cloth that follow the same style. “I have always asked girls to follow their own style mantra,” says Shahjahan. “Wear what you feel comfortable with and that’s why I have made different styles for everyone.”

The feel of the store is that of an old English tea house, with old clocks, ottomans and vintage rugs. Shahjahan’s travels around the world helped her collect most of the items she has now placed in her flagship. “I did not want it to look like a store,” continues Shahjahan. “I want it to be a personal space that tells the clients my story and where I come from. I have old pictures of my nani who has been my greatest inspiration.”

Anam Shahid of Craftyard has done the interiors of the store, “it took us three months to put this together because of the creative freedom I was given.”

Saad Kureshi of Architects Inc states, “I love the cohesiveness of the store, it gives a very postmodern look that does not only tell Zara’s story but also talks about her style.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 25^th, 2012.