1. Share with us you career profile?
I graduated from London College of Fashion in 2010 July. My major was Surface Textiles in Fashion Design Technology. Before coming to Karachi, I interned at Christopher Raeburn. I also took part in Hiemtex for Afroze Textiles and now I have recently launched lawn under my name Hira Lari by AfrozeTextiles.
2. What inspired you to become a fashion designer?
I think Art has inspired me to become a fashion designer. I tend to look fashion as an art form and work my ideas through the medium of clothes and textiles.
3. The business cycle is not easy to endure, especially for newcomers. Can you name a Guru who guided you?
My dad, Feroze Alam Lari, has been the source of guidance and the driving force to help me reach to this point. I feel honored to work under his supervision.
4. How do you help women in the becoming torch bearers of fashion and style?
I give them a unique and different look, which makes them stand out in the crowd. I feel everyone should make their own trend and be a trendsetter for others. Everyone has their own personality and through their clothing’s they can tell the world what they really are from inside. I try helping my customers to find their perfect look and most importantly what they are comfortable in!
5. When you see your dresses looking good on an individual, how do you feel?
This acts like a catalyst in motivating and bolstering me to go even further. It makes me work even harder to achieve better results. It makes me feel great!
6. In case of an unsatisfactory customer, do you accept criticism; ever lose your temper?
For me taking criticism positively is the stepping-stone towards success. One should be open to welcome all sorts of feedback.
7. What thrills you?
Art thrills me. Art comes from nature, so I would say nature thrills me, there are so many beautiful things around us. Its so wonderful to have such things around us all the time. It also helps me in my inspirations.
8. What is your designing philosophy, what do you keep in mind while designing?
For me art is the basic thing that I keep in mind. I also keep thinking of new and innovative ideas. I think everything should have a theme to it that gives it a unique identity.
9. Pakistan made textiles; do you accept the quality of the cloth?
Afroze Textiles have been in this industry for the past 32 years. We have been in export of home textiles and provide the best manufacturing, printing and processing of their valued goods for our customers around the world. This includes printing lawn for renowned designers of our industry. The quality of cloth made in Pakistan is a benchmark itself around the world.
10. Your competitors in business, are they a threat?
I believe, everyone is putting his or her share to nurture and develop our fashion industry. The point is not about who is better amongst all, but how we can all contribute to take it to a higher level.
11. With all these fashion weeks, do you think Pakistan Fashion Industry is evolving and evolving to the right direction!
The Fashion industry has come a long way. The onus is on us to meet the expectations of the customers. Its still growing but it needs to grow even more to go up to the international standard.
12. Do you take pride in designing traditional dresses or western dresses with modern urban edge?
I take pride in everything I do cause one always takes pride in what they do that involves hard work. Both have their own charm while designing. So I love designing both!
13. How do you see your work, five years from now?
This being the first year, just a start, I have a long way to go. Instead of gauging my popularity and success in the next five years, I am more interested in making a mark in the industry based on my exclusivity and innovations. Every day seems to bring me a step closer to achieve my goal.
14. What makes you feel proud about Pakistani fashion industry and Pakistani designers?
Pakistani Fashion industry has gone global but by far this is just a beginning. We are all proud to be a part of this rapidly changing industry and help it evolve even more.
15. Any fashion advice you want to give to Pakistani youth?
I would just like to say that believe in yourself, create your own identity and more importantly be honest in whatever you are doing. It is important that all of us find the right path to follow our goals and to make a better Pakistan. We all have to do something to built Pakistan into a better nation.
