beauty

Javeria Zoa, a Lahore-based designer, has been designing clothes for almost a decade now. Armed with Bachelors in Fashion Design, she worked as a driving force for brands like Generation, Baroque, Serene, Sheer and Coir in the past. She has a distinct creative approach towards patterns, shades and style. Her unique variety of unstitched chiffon collection speaks eloquently of her refined taste in clothes. According to Zoa, she has always been interested in designing clothes. “I always liked to indulge myself in creative activities since I was young and that is what eventually led me to become a fashion designer. I have done a number of shows till now for the brands I have been working with in the past,” says Zoa. Now, she has come up with her own clothing line which revives old trends and classic designs from ‘60s. This week this dedicated designer shares her work experiences and beauty secrets with our readers...

You! What is your design philosophy?

Javeria Zoa: Anything can be turned into a masterpiece with the right amount of creativity. Creative minds can turn copper into gold.

You! What type of clothes do you design for women?

JZ: I design clothes which are relatable to each woman so that she can always feel extremely confident while wearing our designs.

You! Why do you think women should wear designer clothes?

JZ: I think, how we dress and present ourselves is a very important part of our personality so everyone should be more aware of how they carry themselves.

You! What do you like best about designing clothes?

JZ: When your profession is also your passion, you will always try to exceed your own expectations and try to become the best of yourself and that is what I like about my work.

You! What was the first outfit that you designed?

JZ: The first outfit I designed was a bridal dress for my cousin’s wedding.

You! How would you define your own sense of style?

JZ: I try to keep my style comfortable and presentable at the same time. Since we have to run around a lot during work, I try to look good while making sure the looks are not getting in my way while I work.

You! What is the inspiration behind your latest collection ‘Eminence’?

JZ: The inspiration behind ‘Eminence’ is the glamour of the early years of Pakistan when Radio Pakistan was the only source of information related to fashion and entertainment.

You! Do you prefer sketching designs or actually constructing them?

JZ: My design process usually starts with sketches and it builds its way up to the construction of a complete dress.

You! How long does it usually take for you to design an outfit?

JZ: A single design usually takes around 10 - 15 days depending on the level of detail and intricacy.

You! What seasonal looks and colours are you expecting this summer?

JZ: I think a splash of bright colours will hit this summer and I am expecting to see a lot of bright oranges and reds.

You! What are the difficulties faced by designers in getting their work done?

JZ: As I said before that I love what I do but there are always some difficulties in getting work done which, for us, is part of the process.

You! What is the highest and lowest point of being a designer?

JZ: Highest point is that you always get to wear trends on point and the lowest point is that there is no end to our working hours as we always have to follow the deadline which is a very crucial part of our work process.

You! Do you think there is potential for new designers in our fashion industry?

JZ: There is definitely a lot of potential for new creative individuals who can think out of the box and make their mark.

You! What are you currently working on?

JZ: We are working on our festive collection for Eid-ul-Azha.

You! What’s in the pipeline?

JZ: Collections of prt, formals, and bridals are in the pipeline. We sell our articles online and through leading retailers but we aim to have our own outlet in future.

                                                    Beauty Corner

How old were you when you became obsessed with makeup?

I was never obsessed with makeup but I have always strived to learn new makeup techniques so that I can never go wrong with my makeup as I believe less is more.

Do you go to the salon regularly for your facials?

No, as I hardly get time for myself so I visit salon only once in a while.

Your favourite local stylist or beautician:

I like Numra and Zara Gul for all the beauty related services.

Your favourite international stylist or beautician:

I really like Hindash and Pat Mcgrath.

Your go-to place for hair and makeup:

My go-to place for hair and makeup is Numra - Makeup Studio & Salon and Zara Gul.

Signature perfume:

Chanel Chance.

Your beauty regimen:

I have a very simple beauty regimen. Sunscreen is a must for me during the day and at night I do skin cleansing with toning and moisturizing.

Do you use anti-aging creams?

No, I am not using any anti-aging cream at the moment, but I am planning to add it in my night routine.

Do you believe in treatments like Botox?

Yes, I believe that one should go for the things which make them confident.

You! Do you use whitening creams? Are they any good?

No I don’t use whitening creams and I believe that we should accept what we have and try to make it better. I am more about natural methods because there are no side effects of going green.

Are you fond of using too much makeup or you prefer a good skin with a minimal amount of it?

I am a firm believer that one should invest in good skincare which works for them. As makeup can’t hide your flaws, so I would not suggest too much makeup. Hands down to good skin with minimal makeup.

Where do you go for your make-up shopping? Any favourite outlet?

I generally buy it online or get it from any relative coming from abroad.

You! What is beauty to you?

Being comfortable with yourself is real ‘beauty’.