With scarves and studded cuffs, Zaiena takes fashion up a notch

The designer’s best selling items are her printed scarves.

ISLAMABAD: With the recent phenomena of fashion outlets and retails sprouting up in the capital city, one clearly notices the change in the way Islooites are dressing up now.  Even though the sleepy city may have become fashion and brand conscious, there is still a long way to go when it comes to individualistic style.

Zaiena Haider is perhaps one of the handful of Islamabad-based designers, whose clothes and accessories are funky, bold and eclectic. After graduating from the London College of Fashion, Zaiena launched her label Zaiena! in 2009 at Melange. Today, Zaiena works from her studio, caters to clients in and out of Pakistan, writes a fashion blog and manages her own website.

While many local designers jump on the clothing band wagon, Zaiena has carved a niche for herself with accessories. “I think accessories are what bring out your look. I’ve noticed we don’t pay much attention when it comes to accessorising our wardrobe, especially in Islamabad”.

With her signature leather bands with trendy metallic spikes, she aims to cater to people who want to stand out. Her hand-made accessories are one of a kind. With nothing being duplicated, the customer is left satisfied with the feeling of owning a unique item.

Infusing artificial and pure jewellery, Zaienas manages to encompass all things trendy. From the rock chic look with metallic skulls to the more symbolic hamsa (hand-shaped amulet) pendant with beaded strings, each piece is stylish. For the more daring, there’s the cuff-styled necklace and attachable spiked collars.

But for those not quirky enough for her jewellery, her scarves are truly something any fashion conscious girl must have in her wardrobe. “My scarves are my best-sellers. They are a true depiction of my imagination. When I get an idea, I draw it on paper, scan it on Photoshop and digitally print them. I mainly use crepe de chine (grip silk) or 100% charmeuse silk”.

With psychedelic bold colours, her scarves carry different images. Her recent hot seller had an image of a cheetah with a broken chain, running across the material saying “tres cool” (very cool). While another saw a pattern of veiled women with diamantes incorporated on it. “The veiled women print idea came to me when I was in the UAE. I noticed how the women there were so fashionable and elegant even with their hijabs. I wanted to portray that in my scarves,” says Zaiena.

Although her accessories are much sought after in the city, Zaiena still feels there’s still a lot of time to go before Islamabad dares to stand out. “Everyone wants to play safe. Maybe it’s a lack of exposure, but still… I am noticing a steady change.”

View her work at www.zaiena.com and her Facebook page On A Style High.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2012.          

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