It runs in the family: Menahel and Mehreen
Menahel Majid and Mehreen Farooq Khan reminisce about picking daisies as children
The sister duo, Menahel Majid and Mehreen Farooq Khan, who are the talent behind the brand Menahel and Mehreen, reminisce about picking daisies as children, going egging and being the best of friends
What’s your first memory of each other?
Mehreen: Menahel’s swimming lessons in the main pool at the club, I used to watch her from the baby pool and was terrified of the coach.
Menahel: Picking daisies at Snowview Cottage, a guesthouse in Nathiagali.
What is the craziest thing you have done together?
Mehreen: When we were kids, Menahel’s school friends, who are also my buddies now, dragged both of us to go egging and spray painting. One of the nutters also followed this guy we know, while the two of us were in the car. Major face-palm moment!
Menahel: We started Menahel and Mehreen.
What did you get punished for the most as a child?
Mehreen: Making a lot of noise, and running in the house. I’m still very loud.
Menahel: Never really been punished much.
If you could only wear one piece of clothing for the rest of your life, from the others closet, what would it be?
Mehreen: She has this fun cocktail ring.
Menahel: I love her handcrafted whirling dervish sari and blouse from our Dancing Figures series.
If you could swap places with each other, what’s the first thing you would you do?
Mehreen: Voluntarily: I’d do some fun hairdos; my own hair is flat and fine. Involuntarily: I’d go nuts, only because I can’t see myself managing a home, kids, family, travel, and work the way she can.
Menahel: Try all the rich and bright shades of lipsticks she pulls off.
What is the one thing you love about your sister?
Mehreen: She puts family first.
Menahel: Her ability to manage so many close relationships, and stay in touch with various groups of friends and family, no matter what their ages or location, including all her nephews and nieces. Mehreen Khala is everyone’s favourite!
If you are fighting with each other, how do you make up?
Mehreen: We don’t hold grudges and tend to forget about disagreements within minutes. I don’t recall having a
make-up session.
Menahel: We always forget and start talking to each other like nothing ever happened.
What is one secret talent your sister has, that you wish
you did too?
Mehreen: She’s an exceptionally graceful dancer with some seriously fluid moves. She can work very fast, and remains focused and disciplined at work when we’re under pressure, whereas I work at a slow pace, and shut down when I’m stressed. She can also bake really well.
Menahel: She can sing beautifully and is a great photographer.
Describe your sister in three words:
Mehreen: Creative genius, genuine, loyal, and graceful.
Menahel: Fiercely loyal, scrupulous, straight shooter and vibrant.
Which fictional character is your sister most like?
Mehreen: Menahel is pretty old school and has always loved old world glamour and charm. So I would say someone from a period film; I can see her as Umrao Jan the dancer, but not the courtesan.
Menahel: Mary Poppins.
I can’t live without my sister because…
Mehreen: I’ve never known life without her; we even shared a room up until she got married.
Menahel: She’s my best friend and reality check. Neither of us ever hesitates to tell the other what she thinks, and even when we disagree or argue, our relationship and closeness never gets affected.
What’s your first memory of each other?
Mehreen: Menahel’s swimming lessons in the main pool at the club, I used to watch her from the baby pool and was terrified of the coach.
Menahel: Picking daisies at Snowview Cottage, a guesthouse in Nathiagali.
What is the craziest thing you have done together?
Mehreen: When we were kids, Menahel’s school friends, who are also my buddies now, dragged both of us to go egging and spray painting. One of the nutters also followed this guy we know, while the two of us were in the car. Major face-palm moment!
Menahel: We started Menahel and Mehreen.
What did you get punished for the most as a child?
Mehreen: Making a lot of noise, and running in the house. I’m still very loud.
Menahel: Never really been punished much.
If you could only wear one piece of clothing for the rest of your life, from the others closet, what would it be?
Mehreen: She has this fun cocktail ring.
Menahel: I love her handcrafted whirling dervish sari and blouse from our Dancing Figures series.
If you could swap places with each other, what’s the first thing you would you do?
Mehreen: Voluntarily: I’d do some fun hairdos; my own hair is flat and fine. Involuntarily: I’d go nuts, only because I can’t see myself managing a home, kids, family, travel, and work the way she can.
Menahel: Try all the rich and bright shades of lipsticks she pulls off.
What is the one thing you love about your sister?
Mehreen: She puts family first.
Menahel: Her ability to manage so many close relationships, and stay in touch with various groups of friends and family, no matter what their ages or location, including all her nephews and nieces. Mehreen Khala is everyone’s favourite!
If you are fighting with each other, how do you make up?
Mehreen: We don’t hold grudges and tend to forget about disagreements within minutes. I don’t recall having a
make-up session.
Menahel: We always forget and start talking to each other like nothing ever happened.
What is one secret talent your sister has, that you wish
you did too?
Mehreen: She’s an exceptionally graceful dancer with some seriously fluid moves. She can work very fast, and remains focused and disciplined at work when we’re under pressure, whereas I work at a slow pace, and shut down when I’m stressed. She can also bake really well.
Menahel: She can sing beautifully and is a great photographer.
Describe your sister in three words:
Mehreen: Creative genius, genuine, loyal, and graceful.
Menahel: Fiercely loyal, scrupulous, straight shooter and vibrant.
Which fictional character is your sister most like?
Mehreen: Menahel is pretty old school and has always loved old world glamour and charm. So I would say someone from a period film; I can see her as Umrao Jan the dancer, but not the courtesan.
Menahel: Mary Poppins.
I can’t live without my sister because…
Mehreen: I’ve never known life without her; we even shared a room up until she got married.
Menahel: She’s my best friend and reality check. Neither of us ever hesitates to tell the other what she thinks, and even when we disagree or argue, our relationship and closeness never gets affected.