For the nights she stayed awake for me, perseverance she taught me, love and care she gave me, thank you mother. SH: It made us a household name. They are starting to believe in our brand. Every Monday morning, I feel I cant go on anymore. But Mehr manages to pull through every time and the cycle continues. This is standard practice. There are moments of weakness, she admits, when one is on the go all the time, trying to do so many things simultaneously. Life does give you chances, there are several paths. It was crass. SM: We are too young; just two and half years into it. She always wanted to be known for her own work rather than being recognized as the cousin or the sister of someone successful. With around 30 stores nationwide and a brand that ranks in the top three in terms of ready to wear in the country, Sana Safinaz not only command respect and recognition but they keep proving themselves worthy of it. According to an American-business magazine' Forbes, ' 2020 he is 7th richest Pakistani with a net worth of 1.5 billion US dollars. March on, Ladies! Dont they worry about being plagiarized, as the copycat culture has snowballed in the past decade or so, with the countrys major designers worried about the lack of regulations when it comes to intellectual copyrights. With so much misinformation being disseminated via various channels (mainly looking at you, WhatsApp) in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the latest celebrity to become a victim of false claims is Sana Hashwani of designer duo Sana Safinaz. So, you know, everything excites you.". These are incredible achievements, and as mentors to the industry we need to focus on them. Somewhere between her studies, family, and career she lost sight of herself. Initially it was difficult to align Pakistani traditional designs with international designs and concepts, but gradually she found her way forward. We have always gone into things by telling each other that we could do it, and we made a success of it. Good for them. Now that we are older, we are inducting younger designers so that our design vision evolves in tune with younger preferences. However, because of the support of her husband and in laws and the sense of positivity instilled in her by her mother, she snaps out of pessimism very quickly. In fact every day there are moments of weakness. Sana and Safinaz introduced the concept of lawn as formalwear, introducing chiffon, silk and net dupattas to dress it up. Working for them has been one of the best decisions I ever made.. Fashion journalists didnt exist; only a couple of magazines carried fashion shoots, today there are hundreds of publications and blogs dedicated to fashion. A: But it was your time with Lakhany Mills that made your name. That doesnt mean you should be cold but know what is best for you- emotional health is very important and it should start at the level of our children where we teach them how to deal with their emotions and how to be confident with their presentation., Even women like Sadaf who are very passionate about their work, feel weak at times. There would be stampedes, all for the neatly packaged lawn outfits that came with exciting goody bags of embroidered add-ons, lace inserts, buttons and detailing that allowed women to play with. We have just entered the prt field and it is a tremendous challenge. Sana Nawaz Biography The elegant lady is also a very beautiful model and actress. This is how fashion creates jobs. Safinaz is sitting with a young Italian girl, married to a Pakistani and hence having moved to Karachi when I walk in; she's helping her understand the market dynamic so she can start her own label. Iqraa Hassan Mansha started off with a very small boutique hotel in Lahore and has recently opened the state of art Emporium Mall, which she calls her gift to the people of Lahore. Proud of the two entrepreneurs who made it big on their own in-spite of their privileged backgrounds. "What are you going to do? It was like climbing a mountain. You take a motif, you merge and change and take ownership of it. I will miss the fashion week and it will not be the end of the world. Mehr gives maximum time to her children while they are up but after their bedtime its all about self-love. Sana has managed to sail through, learn a lot and its been an amazing journey so far. As far as her Miracle Moment is concerned, it was during her Masters degree when she was one of the 15 students who were chosen to showcase their thesis project to a wide audience at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Just be confident and believe in yourself. She is taking care of other peoples wellbeing and saving lives. I know how to strike the balance between being their teacher and also their friend. She feels the older she gets, the more she needs to give herself a break and relax. Copying is a worldwide issue; even the big French fashion houses struggle with the problem. We followed our instincts and they were spot on. You dont have to be glued to your kids the entire day. You have to protect your business smartly. Despite all this it is an achievement among theie friends as no one else did. SH: The secret is to be passionate about whatever you do and 25 years on we are as passionate, if not more, than when we started. SH: The entirely on our own is no longer something to take pride in. She started working when she turned 19 and married her high school sweetheart 15 years ago. SM: We are excellent multi-taskers. Free Local & International Shipping (Above USD 500) - UAN: 021-111-003-005. Then 18 years ago we went into lawn and five years ago we started doing lawn totally on our own. Lawn is a phenomenon unique to Pakistan. Sana Hashwani Safinaz Muneer: Headquarters: Karachi, Pakistan. Personally, shes always had the drive to contribute something to the world, and feels everyone else should also. "And thats actually the reason why things have taken off. This is about two Pakistani women designing for Pakistani women, and when you get that instinct down to a pat, there is very little that can throw you off track. After graduating from Smith College in USA, she picked a career in investment banking but life took an unexpected turn when recession hit and the next thing Salina knew, she was out of a job. That way she wont have to compromise. Its cheaper than lawn, so we will hit another dynamic in the population. In 1985, Hashwani made a successful bid for the majority shares of Pakistan Services Limited, which then owned four Inter-Continental Hotels across Pakistan, the hotels were re-branded as Pearl-Continental Hotels. I dont even have words for how good they are. 30 (2019) Area served. Sana Hashwani has not tested positive for the novel coronavirus, said Pakistani's popular clothing and accessories retailer Sana Safinaz on Monday while condemning the . Sadruddin Hashwani is a Pakistan based business magnate, author, and billionaire. SM: In retrospect I think that had we had business degrees we would have been savvier, although our baby steps toward the bigger picture worked for us. We have invested heavily in our brand and we have to think where the brand will be when we are not there. After her evening yoga sessions, she spends half an hour in a nice long bubble bath which helps her unwind and rejuvenate. Especially for girls in this misogynistic society. 1,815 likes. Even now, patients are doubtful of a female surgeon till they get to know and trust her. Achievements taste the sweetest when they are shared with your loved ones, she says with a smile. Having said this, you have to be hands on if you want a successful business. Change was something that she used to fear but has learnt that accepting and adopting change is, in fact, healthy. An amalgamation of the ideas put forward by Sana Hashwani and Safinaz Muneer, the brand, which is now 27 years old, revolutionized the market time and again, and has been a constant pathbreaker in what couture and fast fashion means in Pakistan. Therefore, to create work-life balance, she quit her demanding job at Sana Safinaz and decided to pursue her passion in arts through teaching just after she got married. SH: We worked for Alkaram for three years and then we did a three year stint at Lakhany where we designed lawn under the SANA SAFINAZ by Lakhany tag. Financial independence is true power and I recommend it for all women. Salina is required to multitask all the time and maintains to-do lists to take her through the day. After performing poorly in her intermediate exams, she saw her dream of becoming an engineer shatter. Design schools are another phenomenon; they are very good resources to find designers. SH: Its the nature of the business. ", "I couldnt sleep for a month," Sana then recalls the many times her lawn campaigns were targeted for being elitist or racist. When you are young, you are fearless; you are at the beginning of things and you experiment. We have done some of the biggest homes in Pakistan. But then someone else comes in and they start to take away your business and you wake up.". Striking the crucial balance between professional and personal life is also a major struggle for her and she believes that children should be the most important project for any woman since there is no way to go back in time later. Her magazine is something that has shaped her life. Pakistani's popular clothing and accessories retailer Sana Safinaz on Monday condemned rumours that their CEO Sana Hashwani has contracted the novel coronavirus. Its very involving and you have to be on top of your game. In fact she entered this field because of her own skin troubles. If we are careless as an industry, the impact is huge. At that time she was opening her current salon. There is no doubt that this talented artist has many more feathers to put in her cap in the years to come. The lady who doesnt earn any money may be running a charity school so as long as youre doing your bit for the earth why not. Elitist, and Impractical and expensive for the average woman. But having cracked the code for commercial success as well as creative excellence - almost a dozen Lux Style Awards sit on their desk as testament to their excellence - it is no wonder that Sana and Safinaz are still excited by fashion. "We came in as two very young girls," smiles Sana, "set up a business and we sort of led the path. When you get to this level you have to rely on professionals; there is only so far the two of us can take our vision. People dont understand the value of time; they stumble to their 11 am meetings at 1. Read More: Daughter of Sana Safinaz's owner Zevair Hashwani tests positive for COVID-19. Trained as a colon and rectal surgeon, as well as a general surgeon, Dr.Sadaf Khan is currently working at Agha Khan University, Karachi, as both; a clinician and an educator. Its something we have to change. She remembers how she and her partner could not even have imagined running a weekly magazine. Thats why Sana Safinaz today has a very young dynamic.". For her, family comes first and she doesnt believe in living a life with regrets. I have very problematic skin and taught myself to cover up. Sana Safinaz is a Pakistani clothing and accessories retailer based in Karachi, Pakistan. 2 years ago, Mehr, along with her partner Sameena Khan, started a glossy magazine called Paper Magazine. They were then approached by Pakistan Today to rebrand their weekly magazine. That was a tough time when its your first born, you feel guilty. Yet, she says dig in your heels and keep going. Reams upon reams of cloth draped around each model. I meet new people, encounter new struggles every day, the learning curve is beyond amazing.. To handle the business aspect, we are hiring professionals to push it forward. There is no long hard work challenge story here. Summary. It was crass. I would say that one secret to their success is the fact that they do everything tastefully; women of all ages look at Sana and Safinaz and want to be them. What went wrong and how can I correct it? I have to-do lists for the week and on Sunday I realize I didnt get any of the things done. Later when my family moved to Singapore, I had the opportunity to move there, but I decided to stay here, says the warm and very energetic Salina Taqi. I was still in the last year of training and right after 10 days of my delivery I had to be back at work. We did it purely out of choice. The next one I do, I will do with a gallery. 27 years into the business, having experienced both highs and lows, they are just as excited by fashion, today, as they were when they started out. A: So it is contained? For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. I had a lot of issues with the pregnancy. LIMITED. Be proud to be brown! Chartered Accountancy was such a challenge for Shagufta. That is quite unbelievable if you think about the overcrowded marketplace designers stand and compete in today. PHOTO: FILE Designer duo Sana and Safinaz were spotted at the launch of their pret store in Lahore on June 3. Public asset : 397,260 USD. If you are the most coveted lawn designer, its natural that everyone wants to have it and the minute the demand is created, someone will meet it. Initially, Mehr and Sameena used to get sleepless nights over every typo and missed deadline. In Pakistan, copyright laws are very loosely applied; you lose market share, but you learn to live with it. I have now decided that the answer to this problem is sleeping less! Sana Hashwani and Safinaz Muneer shared their challenges, innovations and marketing strategies. On and off, I do question why dont I just relax and take it easy but soon enough I realise how lucky I am to have the opportunity of doing all that I am doing. Prove youre strong, its okay to own your power., Its important to be financially independent as a human, but Bina recognizes the fact that a lot of women are keen on being taken care of by their husbands, which is okay too. SH: We will; with prt and lawn we have already done it. It is evident that self-care is a high priority in her life. It has become her family and where she draws her strength from. R they both sisters, both are doing grt job. Everyone has old and immunity compromised family members. A: So the brand is very much associated with the two of you? SM: You need to own the design. I do everything I tell everybody else to do. She begins each day with positive meditation, I sit up tall as soon as I wake up and count all my blessings, spend 5-10 minutes on just focusing on my body, breathing and being grateful. She is particular about giving time to herself and her family despite her busy schedule, which has taken a toll on Salinas social life, but shes clear about her priorities. What is so great about having your own stores is that you can deliver on the trust value of your brand and in this way control your image. SM: You have to keep on tweaking the model because it is not a science that has been worked out in Pakistan. Apparel collections include but are not limited to Pret, Diffusion and Bridal Couture lines. They both broke up in 2020. I am the face of bridal. She was in a relationship with a man named Ismail Khan. The leaps are huge as compared to say 15 years ago in terms of the freedom women enjoy and it is time they embraced it and defied the gender moulds. She adds that when a woman decides to have children, she is responsible for them and their needs but at times, it is important for her to put herself first. From designing, printing, production, campaign planning and even marketing, it is all done in-house. That was such a challenge for me, to become something that matches up to the expectations and successes of the rest of the women I am surrounded by, Seveen proclaims. You have to be careful about how quickly you expand and how much dead stock you carry, because it is a drain on finances. You will all grow. She is a makeup artist She is an entrepreneur She is a problem solver "I'm a makeup artist and own a salon and a photography studio." At 40, Bina Khan feels like she has achieved a little and has a long way to go. After Shaguftas children got older, she switched back to a full time job. Every day there is a new challenge and a new way to problem solving.". She was in a relationship with the dancer and choreographer Melvin Louis. KARACHI: In an exclusive interview with . Text Us @ 9095 (For Residents Of Pakistan Only). SH: Contained maybe; but it is a big business. You know, one irresponsible commentator, that called me a racist is now asking me to design a wedding dress for her. You need to be very liquid because you have to keep re-inventing your stores and opening new ones. Every moment of weakness I encounter, I step back and give time to myself to reflect. The fine-line comes when the design is copyrighted or if you use the design of a living artist. Fashion is one of the few thriving businesses in Pakistan. Rich getting richer. I decided to go to US for training and when you went into residency, for every 6 men there was maybe one woman taken in, she explains. On 21 November 2020, she got married to the Surat based Maulana Mufti Anas Sayied a few months . They have . Your focus changes once you become a mother. Until recently, we were completely hands-on and did everything ourselves, but we have realised this will not work anymore. By 1970s, it had become Pakistan's largest cotton trading company. This is a country of nearly 200 million people; unofficially Karachi has a population of 28 million people, Lahore approximately 11 to 12 million. During college, I earned my own pocket money working in the kitchen, alumni house or the library. But we know we have to be resilient and go for it. We really dont. Presently, Mr. Hashwani is Non-Executive Chairman of Pakistan Services Ltd., Chairman for Pearl Tours & Travels (Pvt) Ltd. (a subsidiary of Pakistan Services Ltd.), Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Hashwani Hotels Ltd . The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. We design and run bridal entirely on our own. SANA HASHWANI: We love both the business and the design aspect. Mohsin (Ali Tawasuli) is the person who passes stuff for us. "We have great resources, a great CEO, a great fashion head. SM: When you see someone walking down the street wearing your print, it gives you a high, because you realise that you can actually determine and change fashion. ", "Plus, we encourage young designers," Sana adds on. Correct me if I am wrong. SH: There used to be limited supplies in terms of thread, buttons, lace Today, hundreds of markets cater to this. She is someone who values the lessons life has to teach. So now when I go to a wedding, I take it as a celebration of the success of the parents, she says. SH: I dont know. This week, our Ponds Miracle Women mentor is Sana Hashwani, the co-owner of the high end fashion empire Sana Safinaz. She was much older and that allowed her to become calmer and wiser. What part of your business excites you the most? Included on the apparel side is the brands latest venture in retail. She has always been there for her, pushing her to be the best version of herself, and catching her whenever she has fallen. SH: And a very exciting one. In 2021, "Mahay" collection, broke all records ever made in fashion industry with ever highest sales worldwide. There is no doubt in the fact that when Sehrs daughters grow up, they will be her best reflection and much more. Theyre all revved up for fashion week and are celebrating the inclusion of their names in the top 50 CEOS of the country. So the price is a key point.". With her family right by her side, she is sure to make a special name for herself in the field of art and design in Pakistan. What is important for her is to strive for progress and not perfection. While Miracle Woman Iqraa has much to be proud of professionally, her Miracle Moment is the birth of her second child. According to her, hard work and dedication always pay off. There are no tried and tested processes, and unlike other fields where once the formula is worked out, you can keep doing it 24/7/365, we have to reinvent ourselves five times a day. You need a strong and independent team with retail knowledge. Sana Hashwani and Safinaz Munir are the two creative designers behind Sana Safinaz, which is one of the most popular brands of the Pakistan. If they dont succeed in life its a very harsh thing for a parent to look back and say I should have tried harder, says Sadaf. The statement came a day after . Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy. Safinaz laughs when I mention that; she says she has to buy her own designs and then wait forever for the indispensable master sahib to find the time to tailor them. Join Facebook to connect with Sana Hashwani and others you may know. Sometimes getting it all done is really hard. There isnt an iota of insecurity in what shes doing; Safinaz is generous and is going out of her way to help. "Of course we do," says Sana. Sana proves that hard work and consistency pays off as long as you keep trying new things and is a motivation for women to take risks. The coronavirus test report of Sana Hashmi and her family members is negative. "We are sharing Sana Hashwani's test results in order to dispel the rumours that she has Covid19. She is what she is today because of her mother. Indeed, to have a daughter as loving and as strong as Sehr, it takes a devoted mother and exceptional parenting. Let me explain. However, the company was nationalised in 1973. From my mother to my sisters and my cousins, everyone has been doing great things. March 23, 2020. Women unnecessarily make themselves go through the guilt of not doing enough. Worrying about what others are doing will never take you anywhere, Sehr proclaims. Running a business in Pakistan is a challenge in itself. But were from the first generation of fashion designers and we have outgrown the third generation. That recognition of the importance of evolution, to move on; Sana and Safinaz are cognizant of the fact that change is good and that makes their brand just as relevant, today, as it was two decades ago. Mehrs mother is her best friend. In the beginning people told us we were going about it the wrong way, but it was our idea and we stuck to it. Among other things, her daily to-do lists also have son time during which she focuses just on her son. SM: With bridals and light evening wear. She advises young women to be financially independent since its essential for personal growth. Fashion fades, only style remains the same. March 24, 2020. Shes a super woman and my wonder woman.. For Sehr, financial independence is crucial. Despite all her achievements, Shagufta is no stranger to self-doubt. Safinaz is sitting with a young Italian girl, married to a Pakistani and hence having moved to Karachi when I walk in; shes helping her understand the market dynamic so she can start her own label. I did my undergraduate degree from IVS so teaching there is such a great pleasure for me. That is quite an achievement in a male dominated corporate world.