beauty talk

Shiza Hassan is one of the prominent names in the fashion industry due to her exceptional work of merging new techniques into old craft with sheer grace and grandeur. With a Bachelors from LUMS and a diploma in Interior Designing from NCA, Shiza started designing clothes as a mere hobby. “I always loved designing clothes. I started doing it informally for my friends and family when I was in college. We debuted our collection at PFDC Bridal Week in 2016,” she informs.

Recently, Shiza launched her collection which features the glamourous Sonya Hussyn. This week You! chats with the designer to get to know more about her design philosophy, personal style, future goals, work-life balance, and much more…

You! What is your design philosophy?

Shiza Hassan: It varies from collection to collection but one underlined theme is the fusion of old meets new, east meets west and flora and fauna in motif selection. There is an asymmetrical angle to our designs but there is always a balance and flow in them.

You! What do you like the best about designing clothes?

SH: I think the creativity of it and the teamwork that goes into it. It is exciting to work as a team and create something that people love and enjoy wearing.

You! What was the first outfit that you ever designed?

SH: It was a bridal outfit for my cousin who believed in my abilities. And it was indefinitely a great push for me.

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

SH: In one word, it has to be fusion. I can’t go all desi.

You! Tell us about how you developed your aesthetic.

SH: The aesthetic is innate and is something that you continuously work on. It gets polished with your exposure to different cultures, techniques, inspirations, researches, and developments. I think it is constantly being refined. There is always so much to learn.

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

SH: Both are crucial. The design process begins with a detailed sketch and is followed by construction as it gives you more form and you tend to refine it better.

You! What is your signature embellishment and fabric choice?

SH: We work with a variety of embellishments and fabrics but net is one of our favourites to work on.

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

SH: Depends on the kind of outfit. Sometimes, the inspiration and visualisation of a garment are so strong that you just do it really fast and sometimes visualisation takes time.

You! Do you have an outlet?

SH: Yes, I do have a studio in Lahore, since we specialise in couture wear. I believe in the client-designer interaction a lot.

You! How do you prepare for a fashion show?

SH: I have done 8 fashion shows so far. Fashion shows are very exciting and exhilarating but they can be very stressful in terms of styling, deciding the flow of the collection, and having a constant pressure of bringing the best on the ramp. Once the collection is done, its presentation is very crucial whether it is the selection of music or anything that sets the tone of the show. It all has to be synced and put together.

You! What is the inspiration behind your latest collection?

SH: Our latest lawn collection is less about prints and more about textures, embroideries, and solids.

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

SH: Going overboard with anything either with accessories, clothes, or makeup! Everything has to be in balance. Otherwise, I feel there is no one formula for doing a thing and personal taste should take supremacy over anything.

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

SH: Easy breezy, less is more, some fun colours and light colours.

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

SH: Managing human resources is the biggest challenge that we face while working.

You! What are the highs and lows of being a designer?

SH: People’s expectations of you to be a certain way and to look a certain way can be a low point. High points are when your collection comes out and people love it. Connecting with the clients is a high point for me.

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

SH: When you are managing a lot of things at a time, you have to be more organised and punctual. I think it is a blessing that I am working with my husband so he understands my workload.

You! What is the potential for new designers in the fashion industry?

SH: Definitely, there is potential for new designers and we can see some amazingly talented people joining the fashion industry. My only advice would be to stay true to yourself and be original. Do take inspiration but try to stand out by creating your own style statement.

You! Your biggest accomplishment so far:

SH: I am learning to pat myself on the back for every little accomplishment. There is so much that we still have to achieve, however, one thing that I would like to appreciate is the moment when I debuted: changing my hobby into a full-time profession. The unstitched market is very competitive and entering into that market was also an accomplishment for us. So, I enjoy small milestones rather than setting targets for just one thing.

You! What are you currently working on?

SH: There is a lot that we are working on right now such as our bridals, ready-to-wear, formal, and pret wear. Also, we are on our way to launching our lawn collection.

You! What kinds of future plans do you foresee for your brand?

SH: I want to build a brand that is accessible to more and more people. We want a larger clientele to benefit from our creativity which is why we have several collections and there is something for everyone.

Beauty corner

What is one cosmetic you cannot do without?

Kajal & blush.

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

No.

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

M.A.C

What’s in your beauty bag?

I have a kajal, gloss, blush, mascara, concealer, and a hairbrush. Also, I really like Nabila’s Zero makeup palette.

Your go-to lipstick?

Multiple shades of soft nude pink.

When applying makeup, what do you dread the most?

Eye shadow.

Do you go to the salon regularly for your facials?

No.

Your preferred spa or salon?

For massage and nails, I don’t go out. I prefer getting it done at home.

Your go-to place for hair and makeup?

My sister-in-law Amna Zain, she owns a salon.

Signature perfume?

Oud Ispahan – Dior.

Your beauty regimen?

Lots of water, cleansing before sleeping, and moisturising.

Full glam makeup or good skin with a minimal makeup?

Good skin any day.

Where do you go for your makeup shopping?

Any big store where I can find all the brands under one roof.

I cannot give a lot of time to makeup shopping.

What is beauty to you?

Inner beauty counts the most.