I lie when I’m late to meetings: Zahra Raza

Zahra Raza, of Islamabad based multi-label boutique L’atelier, on soul mates and her fear of losing people she loves.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

To end up with one’s soul mate.

What is your greatest fear?

Losing my favorite people.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Taking the people who love me for granted.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Fakeness.

What is your greatest extravagance?

To be at a resort next to a pool, getting pampered at the spa and eating good food.

What is your current state of mind?

To conquer.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Patience.

On what occasion do you lie?

When I’m late to a meeting.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

Nothing, I’m happy with myself.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Honesty.



What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Ambition.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

“No way!” “Seriously!” “What the hell!”

When and where were you happiest?

On a flight to London in January 2004.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I wish I could play the guitar.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Till now its L’atelier for sure.

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

I would come back as a lioness.

Where would you most like to live?

The place doesn’t matter, it’s where my family and friends are.

What is your most treasured possession?

A black scarf with thin white stripes.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

A family sleeping on a donkey cart.

If you didn’t do your current job, what would you choose to do?

I would be a model and a graphic designer.

What is your most marked characteristic?

I’m funny and loud.

Who is your hero of fiction?

Thumbelina. She’s small like me.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Coco Chanel... In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.

Who are your heroes in real life?

My brother and my father.

What is your greatest regret?

Let’s not even go there.

What’s your favourite quote?

‘A girl should be two things, fabulous and classy!’ Coco Chanel.

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, July 24^th,  2011.