beauty

Ace designer Samar Mehdi has been designing beautiful ensembles since 24 years. A graduate of Bristol University, UK, with a four-year degree in Fashion and Accessory Design, Samar established her label in 1997. The label showcases both pret and couture, and accessories including handbags and shoes. She is also the first designer to launch Pakistan’s first designer maternity line, ‘Positive’. Launched in 2009, the maternity line includes casual, semi-formal and formal outfits. According to Mehdi, designing clothes has always been her passion. “I was always interested in clothes since I was six. From designing for my Barbies to designing for the whole family, it was pretty much tunnel-vision which culminated into my degree in Fashion.”

Samar has participated in various prestigious events such as Copenhagen International Fashion Fair, (CIFF), Fashion Pakistan Week 2009 and 2010, Karachi Fashion Week 2011 and Expo TDAP 2012. Aside from a flagship store in Zamzama, Karachi, the label also stocks in multi-designer stores throughout the country. In an exclusive interview with You! Mehdi talks about her work and also shares some of her beauty secrets with our readers…

You! When did you first showcase your collection?

Samar Mehdi: Technically, at the London Student Fashion Week, in our University’s final degree show. Professionally, in the summer of 1997.

You! What motivated you to come into this field?

SM: My love for clothing and accessories and making them come alive through design expression.

You! What is your design philosophy?

SM: To design for the woman who is strong, independent, yet feminine; clothes that celebrate womanhood.

You! How many shows have you done so far?

SM: Too many to count back on. Some of my favourites have been the Copenhagen International Fashion Fair, my solo show, and the TDAP showcase.

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

SM: Cut-oriented, feminine, yet practical. Flattering cuts for all body types.

You! What kind of women do you like to dress?

SM: Women who know themselves and are comfortable with themselves. Most importantly, women who trust me with my design vision.

You! What do you like best about designing clothes?

SM: It is a creative expression.

You! What was the first outfit that you designed?

SM: For my mother, way back in the day.

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

SM: Very feminine, more classic than trend based. Not very ethnic or traditional.

You! What is your signature embellishment and fabric choice?

SM: Sequins and chiffon.

You! Tell us about your new collection?

SM: The latest collection was the Samar Mehdi RTW Winter Soiree line. The inspiration behind it was a long time in the making collaboration with my sister, Batool Mehdi, an editor and fashionista, and muse for our label. We wanted to come together to create a line that completely reflected our own style aesthetic. The collection is affordable, yet stylish fusion pret clothes.

You! What do you predict for 2021 in fashion?

SM: A lot more fast fashion. We must, of course, look to sustainable fashion but I don’t see fast fashion going anywhere in 2021.

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

SM: Both. One is incomplete without the other.

You! In your opinion what is the biggest mistake a person can make while dressing here?

SM: Over accessorising.

You! What is the one piece of clothing that you shy away from wearing and why?

SM: Jumpsuits. They just don’t suit me.

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

SM: Daily struggles of electricity issues, too many public holidays, strikes, etc.

You! What are the high points and low points of being a designer?

SM: Seeing the joy of someone wearing and loving your clothes. No lows as such, except the misconceptions that your clothes are only for a niche or are very expensive, which is not the case, in my instance.

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

SM: Depends on the collection.

You! Do you think there is potential for new designers in our fashion industry? What advice do you have for aspiring fashion designers?

SM: There is potential, but also a lot of saturation. So strike out an identity and stay true to that. That is the only way to achieve longevity.

You! What are you currently working on?

SM: To take the latest collection and expand on it. It was such a massive hit that we want to now stock it across stores and on our website.

You! Your biggest accomplishment so far:

SM: There are several moments I am proud of – showing at the Copenhagen International Fashion Fair alongside world renowned labels and garnering positive international press and coverage. Having pulled off three capsule collections for my grand solo show, when very few others were doing it. Designing the clothes for the theatre play ‘Chicago’ across Pakistan. Designing for big brand advertisements. And just generally being here, two decades on and doing what I love, when so many others came and went. I am humbled.

You! How do you manage to strike the right balance between family and work?

SM: I prioritise. My kids come first, so my work day is always set around my family’s needs.

BEAUTY CORNER

You! What’s the one cosmetic product you can’t do without?

A good base.

You! When stepping out, do you wear makeup all the time?

No.

You! When it comes to cosmetics, which brand do you usually use?

Clinique and M.A.C.

You! What’s in your beauty bag?

Too many to count! All the essentials, for sure.

You! You go-to lipstick?

Velvet Teddy by M.A.C.

You! When applying makeup, what do you dread the most?

That something will smudge at the last minute.

You! Do you go to the salon regularly for your facials?

I’ve never had a facial done.

You! Your favourite local stylist or beautician:

I love everyone’s work.

You! Your favourite international stylist or beautician:

No particular favourite.

You! Your preferred spa or salon?

I actually don’t go to the salon often.

You! Signature perfume?

C.K. One.

You! Your beauty regimen?

Not so much a regimen, but a strict adherence to avoiding certain things like touching the face too much with excessive waxing, bleaching and threading.

You! Do you use anti-aging creams?

L'Occitane.

You! Do you believe in treatments like Botox?

To each their own, I personally have not felt the need to.

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

Depends on the occasion entirely but ‘too much makeup’ is never a good thing.

You! Where do you go for your makeup shopping? Any favourite outlet?

M.A.C. and Clinique. Sephora is a good one stop shop as well for other brands.

You! Do you use whitening creams?

No and I do not believe in them at all.

You! What is beauty to you?

Being comfortable in your own skin.

You! How old were you when you became obsessed with makeup?

Never really been obsessed but I started to enjoy playing around with makeup in my late teens.