Nabila Changes: The only constant is change

Nabila’s new book is an important addition to the scant literature on Pakistani fashion.

Book: Nabila Changes



Genre: Biography

Author: Amna Isani

Publisher: Loreal



Excerpt

My medium of communication is hair. And whether my own or my model’s, it has always spoken volumes about my life. Introverted, extroverted, held hostage to a desire to grow, to be free or towards rebellion. To be seen, heard, felt and taken seriously, my hair has been my silent partner.

The meaning of the name Nabila is ‘born to nobility’…and certainly in the aristocracy that is Pakistan’s fashion industry, Nabila is the uncrowned Queen…or at the very least, the Queen (and King) maker.

Nabila Changes is exactly what the title implies…a pictorial history of Nabila’s journey to becoming Pakistan’s most famous professional stylist, and all the milestones she’s passed along the way.

While it’s true that Pakistani fashion is growing day by day, and that our designers have had the chance to display their sartorial wares across the world, when it come to books on the fashion industry…you can literally count them on the fingers of one hand.

A few years ago you wouldn’t have been able to find a single one, and the closest thing you could find on fashion would be a book on textile design. That changed with Revived: The journey within. The brainchild of Kiran Aman and Khadija Malik, this book focused on fourteen women who were considered the mainstays of the Pakistani fashion. So what does Kiran Aman say about the latest addition to a trend she undoubtedly inspired?

“The book is very reflective of Nabila. It’s just like her and is a perfect coffee-table book.” When asked to compare it with her own book, she replied “Nabila’s book is about herself; my book is about emotions and other people’s journeys.”

Tapu Javeri, one of the most renowned fashion and art photographers in Pakistan is also the author of Tapulicious, a book that captures his photography and contributed as much to fashion industry literature as Nabila Changes. But that’s where the similarity between the books ends. “If you compare Tapulicious to Nabila Changes,” says Tapu, “then I feel mine was just a portfolio while hers is a pictorial biography.  The purpose of her book is L’Oreal and it completely satisfies the concept. It’s all about hair and make-up and is a tribute to L’Oreal.” Clearly a big fan of Nabila, Tapu waxed lyrical about both the book and the launch itself.

So is Nabila Changes going to further open the doors for fashionistas who are itching to put their pen – or portfolio - to paper? And if so, who’s going to be next in line? Tapu doesn’t hesitate to name Ather Shahzad and Tariq Amin as his top picks. He says it’s a shame that there is so much talent out there and yet most of it remains undocumented. As for Kiran Aman, she has her hopes pinned on none other than Frieha Altaf. So if any one these three are reading this right now, what do you say? Are you ready to take up the challenge? Your audience awaits!

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th,  2011.