T-Diaries: Atiya Khan

A glimpse into the world of Pakistani powerhouses

What sparked your interest in the fashion industry?

I started modelling at a very young age and retired at 21 so I’m not sure how much interest it held for me. However, I have continued to engage with it and recently, tried my hand at designing a Hijab collection. I feel the fashion industry has tremendous influence and scope for creativity and self-expression. In many ways, I have used fashion as a tool to communicate to a wider audience.

What is the hardest part about working in the industry?

During the ’80s, fashion was just a bunch of creative friends having fun. It was not seen as a career and neither was photography or styling. Those of us who came into the industry at the time were pioneers, like Tariq Amin, Rizwan Baig, Fifi Haroon, Arif Mehmood and Rooha Ghaznavi etc. We were passionate about the creative aspect of the work.

Your career as a documentary film maker has been great. Tell us about your documentary ‘Lady of Light?’

Sufiism and spirituality is the theme of my documentary Lady of Light. It depicts my journey of 13 years, starting from the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar to a cave called Lahoot Lamakan.

What prompted you to retire from modelling so soon?

I never saw modelling as a career in the first place —  it was more of a hobby. I had already started working behind the camera during my modelling days, as a director and producer. I retired to focus my efforts there.

You are often referred to as Pakistan’s first model. How does that make you feel?

It used to really bother me that I was always associated with modelling when I left it so long ago. But now, I am beginning to enjoy it as I feel it adds another dimension to me and my career.

Your career also includes a grooming agency called Imaging. What gave way to the venture and how important would you say grooming is?

Unfortunately that venture never got off the ground! Nonetheless, I feel grooming is all that is required for average Pakistanis as we are a very bright nation, full of potential.

There was much conjecture about how you adopted the hijab for a while but then took it off later. How did that make you feel? Do you think critics and the public expect too much from people on media?

A hijab is a woman’s prerogative and she should be able to wear it or not as she pleases. There is, however, a deeper aspect of it, which is modesty. I want to be modest in my appearance and this choice makes me more conscious of how I dress and carry myself in public.

What inspired you to design your hijab collection?

Having worn a hijab myself, I was amazed by people’s attitudes towards it. They equate it with a dull or unattractive appearance and I wanted to change that. I wanted to show that wearing a hijab can also signify empowerment and beauty.

Any advice to young women aspiring to enter the industry?

Make sure you work only with people of good repute.

Atiya Khan

Model, actor and director

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, February 15^th, 2015.