Saira Rizwan: On the road to recognition

Designer Saira Rizwan rides high on the growing popularity of her lawn and bridal collections

LAHORE:

Saira Rizwan has maintained a prominent presence at Lahore’s Mall 94. A large billboard displaying her latest lawn collection stands tall, adjacent to her eponymous store. Upon entering the boutique, one is engulfed by a vintage-feel, with stocked racks spaced out just enough to not consume the customer, a quality that Saira’s designs boast as well. She has been making clothes since 2007 and has become one of the most sought-after designers in the city. Saira speaks to The Express Tribune, describing her journey through the fashion industry and plans for the future.

Read: Eid lawn hits the market

“I never studied the arts, but I’ve always been interested in the field,” she says. “My father believed it’d be better if I took the business route, but I began working at Karma with [then designer-duo] Maheen Kardar and Kamiar Rokni in 2004.” Karma was where Saira truly discovered and honed in on her love for fashion, ultimately deciding to launch her own label.



She began with day-wear and the occasional formals, but, somehow, ended up making more of the latter. Eventually, it was bridal galore at the Saira Rizwan studio, so much so that she had to allocate a separate section for bridal appointments when the studio opened in 2012. “We had so many walk-in clients and not everyone is looking for something formal,” explains Saira. “The situation demanded that I do more prêt.”

Read: Eid: Here's what the stars wore

With her growing popularity, Saira had to take her talent further and what better way to cash-in on customer demands than a semi-formal lawn collection? “We launched one last year and received a great response. This year, we have created lawn volumes one and two, followed by an Eid collection.” The objective was to cater to older women, whose requirements went beyond the trending short hemline and small sizes.

Although this aspect of Pakistani fashion has become somewhat saturated, with virtually every named designer offering lawn, Saira has a USP in place. “Our lawn is different from everyone else’s because instead of doing prints, we focus more on embroidery. The printing is left to a minimal.” The collection is such that the clothes can easily transition from day to night and boasts strong and contrasting embroidered lace appliques. “I like to stay within the cleaner lines, keeping it simple and bold. It has to be bright but not harsh on the eyes,” says Saira of her design aesthetics.



Her latest bridal collection, entitled ‘Gul Mohar,’ focuses on muted tones and splashes of deep reds with a vintage appeal, just like her store. But whatever she may design, be it bridals or formals or lawn kurtas, Saira’s signature patterns are evident in every piece. She names Elie Saab, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Alexander McQueen, Bunto Kazmi and Faiza Samee as her fashion inspirations. She has already shown at Bridal Couture Week thrice and now wants to take her brand to the Fashion Pakistan Week and Pakistan Fashion Design Council platforms as well.

A standalone store in Karachi is also on the cards, but in the meantime, Saira is focusing on her Lahori and international clientele. “I visited London about six years ago and realised there was no market for bridals and formals,” shares Saira. “This time around, after showcasing at the Pakistan Fashion Extravaganza 2015, I believe there is one now. The expats living there attend weddings. For this, they need formals and don’t mind spending heavily on one or two outfits a year.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th,  2015.

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