T-Diaries: Khadija Shah

A glimpse into the world of Pakistani powerhouses.

You are a working woman with a husband and children. How do you maintain a work-life balance?

I’m still learning on that front. All these domains overlap in my case. My office is just as much a space for my kids and husband as my home is for my work. My husband looks over my business, so I’m constantly bumping into him at work and my sons are in and out of Elan as well.

The Superwoman Syndrome is the desire to do everything perfectly, without any time to yourself. What do you have to say about that?

Ideally, I’d say every woman should put herself first, and learn to let go even if everything is not as perfect as she’d like it to be. Practically, however, so much of everyday life depends on the woman of the house that working women end up having to put their own needs aside to make sure everything else stays on track. I think women are naturally tuned to be more sacrificial than men.

An idea that changed your life?

Elan changed my life! I went from being a trained political scientist to making clothes for Pakistan’s fashion set.

What’s your personal style?

I like to dress elegantly and mix up my look with unusual accessories and statement pieces.

How did your interest in fashion and accessories come into being?

I was always keen on fashion and loved clothes and dressing up since I was a little girl. But I never thought I’d make a career out of it. I think I inherited my passion from my mother who designed clothes for as long as I can remember.

Who is your favourite designer and why?

I’m in awe of so many different design houses for their unique design sensibilities. Most of all, I find Ellie Saab mesmerising. His creations are the epitome of delicacy, attention to detail and ethereal femininity.

What do you have to say about the current fashion scene in Pakistan? How has it changed over the years?

I think people in Pakistan have a very global approach to fashion now. You can see women sporting international trends just as naturally as Eastern fashion. This has spurred local brands to move towards fusion clothing which has made the local fashion scene diverse and dynamic. A decade ago there were a handful of professional designers and fashion shows were few and far between. Now, there is a fashion week almost every two months and fashion retail stores and designers are cropping up across all major cities.

How did Elan the brand come about?

My mother envisioned the brand. I simply took over from her and gave it direction.

How has doing what you do changed your life?

It allowed me to let loose my creativity and be imaginative and whimsical at the same time. I lead the life of an artist, creating beauty and bringing my ideas to life which is an extremely rewarding and empowering experience.

How does it feel to be one of the leading names in the Pakistani fashion industry?

I don’t think Elan has reached that pinnacle yet. I’m always working towards some goal and trying to make the brand even better.  When Elan receives praise, I feel overjoyed and excited each time.

Any advice for aspiring female designers?

Seek inspiration, but shape it into something original.

Khadija Shah

Designer

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, June 22^nd, 2014.