Being a mother is hard work. Retail is new here and it is not a business that will grow by leaps and bounds, because it is linked to the economy. We have entered the next level with prt and are investing in the product and the brand. The field comprised of only a handful of women at that time. We are like pit-bulls - we hang in there and push ourselves. I am the face of bridal. A: How does your interiors business fit in? Therefore, women must choose this field with caution. We never think ahead of ourselves; we take one step a time. Sana rocked this off-shoulder crme printed tunic with a pair of straight black pants. A: What made you decide to go into retail? Copying is a worldwide issue; even the big French fashion houses struggle with the problem. SM: We are excellent multi-taskers. We steer the conversation back to fashion and the fact that theyve just gone and revolutionized wedding wear in Pakistan by launching a range of ready to wear wedding wear. There are moments of weakness, she admits, when one is on the go all the time, trying to do so many things simultaneously. Especially for girls in this misogynistic society. More and more girls now want to do something of their own and put their education to use. Its cheaper than lawn, so we will hit another dynamic in the population. She started working when she turned 19 and married her high school sweetheart 15 years ago. They took the concept of designer lawn to another level. Sana-Hashwani News: Latest and Breaking News on Sana-Hashwani. Currently Sana is heading PR for Sana Safinaz while simultaneously being their brand representative for Outhouse Jewelry. calling the social media rumours "uncalled for and unproductive slander": A photo posted by Instagram (@instagram) on Mar 22, 2015 at 11:21am PDT. It keeps you on your toes every single day. When lawn started getting pricey, they introduced the lighter version - Muzlin - for younger women who didnt necessarily want to dress up daily wear. Sana Nawaz Biography The elegant lady is also a very beautiful model and actress. calling the social media . The fine-line comes when the design is copyrighted or if you use the design of a living artist. Looking after 2 babies is difficult and sometimes weak moments take over when I want to give up, explains Sehr. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. SM: With bridals and light evening wear. The same goes for interiors; people are not interested in our team designing their house, they want to talk to us; they want our vision. SH: There used to be limited supplies in terms of thread, buttons, lace Today, hundreds of markets cater to this. SM: You need to own the design. "Were changing the concept of bridal clothing in Pakistan, were trying to add more stuff to it and weve even started our own couture page for it. If, for example I take inspiration from a 15th century Turkish motif I see in a book and then expand or merge it with something else, I have owned it. You get in there; you bounce off them because they have different ideas. SH: Unlike other fields there are no professionals, so people learn with you on the job and then someone else poaches them because retail is such a small field. And the dynamic in our company is not just hers and mines but the tons of young people who are incredibly dynamic. Your focus changes once you become a mother. Miracle Woman Sadaf Khans journey shows how, if women stick it out, the hurdles that life throws your way become a thing in the past before they even know it. She has chosen the CEO of an upcoming hotel brand in Pakistan, the Editor of Paperazzi, a Yogi turned entrepreneur, a highly dedicated surgeon, a PR Guru, a fashion designer, a versatile professor of Art at IVS, a Chartered Accountant who is the COO of AKU facilities and last of all Karachis most well known Makeup Artists and Entrepreneur, Bina Khan. R they both sisters, both are doing grt job. Such a time too, passes.. I am what I am because of the unrelenting love and tolerance shown towards me by my mother. [5][6] This is standard practice. Sana Hashwani. SANA HASHWANI: We love both the business and the design aspect. If youre trying to be on a level playing field with men, I think young girls need to gather themselves and have the confidence to ask for equal treatment. After graduating, she was having a great time working with Diesel and as an assistant stylist to Ford Modelling Agency. "Our first ever show was a disaster; I remember Safinaz cried after it. "Its the business of fashion that keeps driving us," Safinaz Muneer continues. I never imagined I would do it one day and seeing it unfold in front of my eyes was a moment of immense pride for me. With the pace at which shes going, we wont be surprised to find Sanas achievements gracing magazines more and more frequently. March 23, 2020 March 23, . Mehr recalls that once the binding of the magazine wasnt done properly and it was falling apart and I was having a panic attack. We meet at the Sana Safinaz studio on the Mai Kolachi road in Karachi; its a little wooden door that opens to a wonderland for women. She feels that today, everyone is in rat race, trying to beat the rest and are oblivious to their surroundings. Strength, talent, efficiency and usefulness matter. This is what inspires us the most. We get into deep, long, and annoying conversations about post-colonial hang ups. Their position is professionally very strong. No one is going to order an expensive bridal outfit without talking to me; if I am not available, people come back another time. But yes, I appreciate you are doing something good for the Pakistani society and thus, humanity. "Our finger is always on the buzzer," says Safinaz. A: What are the main challenges for fashion as an industry? SH: The entirely on our own is no longer something to take pride in. My work brings about so many positive changes in me. Good work. I design lawn entirely on my own. There is no doubt in the fact that when Sehrs daughters grow up, they will be her best reflection and much more. There are times when you will have to choose between motherhood and work. Sana and Safinaz on their 25 years in the industry, maintaining product quality, and dealing with copied designs. For example, if there is a bleed on a shirt, customers can return it to one of our stores and if the complaint is legitimate, their money will be refunded. The mall has something for everyone, young or old. SM: No. 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. We provide you with the latest breaking news and videos straight from the entertainment industry. A: Then there is the issue of designers themselves copying prints. Sana Hashwani and Safinaz Muneer shared their challenges, innovations and marketing strategies. Motivating people is the key to excelling and I strive to do my best in that, Iqraa explains. 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. I dont even have words for how good they are. With jewelry Ive brought in to Pakistan the biggest challenge has been dealing with the customs and shipping departments. Sana Safinaz is part of SSFR (PVT.) Sana Khan with Melvin Louis. You need a strong and independent team with retail knowledge. Sana Safinaz contact info: Phone number: +92 21111003005 Website: www.sanasafinaz.com What does Sana Safinaz do? SH: And a very exciting one. Elite people with excellent financial resources making products for elite. Celebrity News Coronavirus Pakistan . That is quite an achievement in a male dominated corporate world. Sana Safinaz Lawn Collection 2014 - 'A Combination of Two Designers' August 22, 2022; 0 Comments; Sana Hashwani and Safinaz Mureen. We have done some of the biggest homes in Pakistan. She had the desire to, in some way, give back to the society and her place of education so teaching was the most natural and perfect way of achieving that. There is no long hard work challenge story here. We broke into different avenues and levels which is why we sustained our position.". But with Paperazzi they changed their pace completely. There have been many moments when we wanted to quit. Her house, according to her, is a madhouse. "Were a population of 210 million people, you will all find your niche. I am learning how to turn every obstacle into a non-obstacle and every defeat a learning ground. A: After prt are you contemplating another big project? The foundation of the family business was laid by the senior Mrs.Kazmi, passed down to her daughter Bunto Kazmi, who has now the support of her daughter in law, Sehr, to take the business forward and achieve new heights. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. You take a motif, you merge and change and take ownership of it. 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. Best is to accept, go with the flow and breathe. In Pakistan, copyright laws are very loosely applied; you lose market share, but you learn to live with it. Sana Hashwani has recently returned from the United Kingdom. In Pakistan, there is no proper system but Bina also sees this as a great learning experience. . In 2021, "Mahay" collection, broke all records ever made in fashion industry with ever highest sales worldwide. While she loves her work, Sehrs Miracle Moment is her set of twins. 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. "When youre being humble and moving from point A to point B and youre not jealous of others and concentrating on what youre good at, I think thats the reason for our success, too.". People dont understand the value of time; they stumble to their 11 am meetings at 1. News Desk. They have to be quite serious, have to be more composed, and not kid around. Sana Khan with Vishal Karwal. They are starting to believe in our brand. When I am counselling young medical students or young trainees I say that look if you decide to have a family, all the success of your life becomes moot if your children dont do well. For feedback, email aurora@dawn.com, For questions regarding subscription and timely delivery, please contact on the following numbers or visit So the price is a key point.". In May 2011 in a press conference, he expressed his support for Pakistan and its institutions, particularly military and expressed confidence in the abilities of Pakistanis. 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. Thats rare in the cut throat industry she operates in. In fact every day there are moments of weakness. As a surgeon, a woman has to understand that if she is not able to be there at all times for her children, it is because someone else needed her more. At that time she was opening her current salon. From my mother to my sisters and my cousins, everyone has been doing great things. 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. View the profiles of people named Sana Hashwani. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. SH: This happens. SH: Profitability is something we will definitely see. Initially it was difficult to align Pakistani traditional designs with international designs and concepts, but gradually she found her way forward. Do they also have a succession plan in place, I ask? By the time her results came, she had gotten married and soon had a child. In the beginning people told us we were going about it the wrong way, but it was our idea and we stuck to it. (LHR) +92-42-3575-8120-25 20-N, Gulberg II Lahore, 54660 Iqraa has her mother to thank for making her the enterprising person she is today. Looking back at moments like these, Shagufta feels indebted to her mother for everything she did for her during this time. The business of fashion has become tremendously exciting because its highly challenging. Sana and I have no knowledge of retail; we are learning day to day. Sanas favorite remedy is getting massages, even if she has to call someone home to get it done. 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. We have invested heavily in our brand and we have to think where the brand will be when we are not there. In those days, if you worked, you were sad. To handle the business aspect, we are hiring professionals to push it forward. It has a huge filter down effect. Her magazine is something that has shaped her life. Proud of the two entrepreneurs who made it big on their own in-spite of their privileged backgrounds. This is a country of nearly 200 million people; unofficially Karachi has a population of 28 million people, Lahore approximately 11 to 12 million. 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 . Sadruddin Hashwani has become the first businessman to receive Pakistan's top civilian award: Nishan-e-Imtiaz. Cheerful and bubbly by nature, Mehr has the conviction and foresight to look at the bigger picture and after discussion with her partner they decided to go for it. Before, I would worry about the gender and looks of the baby. Sana has managed to sail through, learn a lot and its been an amazing journey so far. Amin A. Hashwani is Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director at Landmark Spinning Industries Ltd. Retail is a very tough business and it will take a long time to become solid. Sana Safinaz is part of SSFR (PVT.) For example, our new muslin line is only distributed through our stores. I also free- lance for fashion houses from time to time to remain hands on with my skills, says Seveen. We started with light evening wear and it snowballed; the vision came in the last 10 years. It was her fault she was in this situation and it was time to make amends. So, if I was racist, the impact is massive. There is stability in our brand because Sana and I have been working consistently and until recently we have been doing this entirely on our own, and with no background in the field just the love of fashion. Anugerah. Sana Hashwani Safinaz Muneer: Headquarters: Karachi, Pakistan. Sadruddin Hashwani is a Pakistan based business magnate, author, and billionaire. When youre younger, little things seem big. 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 . However, this is a learning process and a very young field in a young country and Safi and I have learnt from mistakes that someone 10 years from now will not make. At that point I realised a normal, healthy baby is really a miracle and gift from God and I cant thank Him enough for my son. Iqraas journey shows that no matter how successful a woman is, she is a mother before anything else and her children are in fact her greatest assets and the real reason for her happiness. SH: The growth is so tremendous, you cant think about any other business. SH: Not at all. Today India looks at our industry; their prt market is not as organised as ours. Number of locations. We are going to be at this for some time. The statement was published at Sana Safinaz's official Instagram handle. Correct me if I am wrong. It has become her family and where she draws her strength from. Her strength and support is the reason behind the success of each and everyone in my family. How much is enough, I wonder, as Sana Safinaz continue talking about their endless reservoir of ideas. Sana has been blessed with incredible support from her family, friends, and husband. 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. It is important for me to create the right balance between the carrot and the stick. For her, family comes first and she doesnt believe in living a life with regrets. A: How do you escape this? When youre unhappy, put on a nice big smile, tell yourself Im happy and your physiology changes your psychology., The dynamic Salina is a proponent of work-life balance. When the mother works, it reflects in the mindset of her children.. The talent in Pakistan is beyond amazing and I find it my duty to bring out the best from all my employees. A: Twenty-five years ago, did you have a vision of how SANA SAFINAZ would play out? There was a point when we went into a lull. Also find news, photos and . "One of the recipes for success is failure as well," Sana is honest to admit. Theres a lot of competition in the market for bridal wear and everyone is doing a really good job; that client now has got 10 people she can go to. Until recently, we were completely hands-on and did everything ourselves, but we have realised this will not work anymore. She feels the younger generation today is too narcissist in this age of social media and they need to accept when they are at fault. Established in 1989 Sana Safinaz, founded by Sana Hashwani and Safinaz Muneer, is an established fashion label and one of the most prestigious and diversified in Pakistan. But what you need to do is push yourself harder, organize yourself, and prioritise what is important. Currently Im working as COO of AKU hospital, clinical labs and outreach services. SH: Its the nature of the business. Looking back, this is the only thing Shagufta would change if she had the chance to create room for herself. I am a mother of twins and with that I am working with my mother in law, helping her in her business as one of the most prestigious fashion designer houses in Pakistan. Sana Safinaz is a Pakistani clothing and accessories retailer based in Karachi, Pakistan. Pakistani's popular clothing and accessories retailer Sana Safinaz on Monday condemned rumours that their CEO Sana Hashwani has contracted the novel coronavirus. Established in 1989 Sana Safinaz, founded by Sana Hashwani and Safinaz Muneer, is an established fashion label and one of the most prestigious and diversified in Pakistan. The statement came a day after . As a woman you have more responsibility of raising your kids well even if the father is very involved. Two very extraordinary ladies. And be the first to get updates on discounts, contests, products & promotions! They both broke up in 2020. She is taking care of other peoples wellbeing and saving lives. [1] In 2014, they celebrated their Silver Jubilee on completion of 25 years of their retailing history. 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. We have always gone into things by telling each other that we could do it, and we made a success of it. This is a one-on-one business; nothing is available from a store, because the minute we open a store, the market will be flooded with copies. 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. And after him, we will pass the baton to another person and we realize that succession plans are a key component of work. We saw that no one else was doing designer lawn, so we took it on ourselves and took the brand from X to Y. We are a tiny business, for me it felt super uber cool to have my name up there. 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. Indeed, to have a daughter as loving and as strong as Sehr, it takes a devoted mother and exceptional parenting. Clothes mean nothing until someone lives in them. If you come up with something this year, you cant do it the next, because the copiers will be doing it, so you have to keep rethinking your way forward. Would ve been a story if lower or middle class girls had made it. This is a time when most of them are bored, disgruntled or struggling. Sana Safinaz are true innovators and trailblazers in all their business and creative endeavors and have set the bar high for the business of fashion in Pakistan. Weve been doing that net dupatta with sequins and the silk border and we continued to do it for 10 years because it was easy. I am trying to progress to a newer place and learning new things. She always wanted to be known for her own work rather than being recognized as the cousin or the sister of someone successful. 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. Managing what is indisputably Pakistans most aspirational fashion brand, Sana Hashwani and Safinaz Muneer talk about 27 years in the business and what it is that keeps them going from strength to strength. "For me it used to be lawn," replies Safinaz. She unwinds with TV shows, reads books, and hangs out with friends and family. It was quite a dilemma since Mehr was pregnant with her second child and had to give time to family, but the opportunity was too good to pass. In 1978, he launched the Holiday Inn hotel in Karachi in 1981 and later in Islamabad. ", "I couldnt sleep for a month," Sana then recalls the many times her lawn campaigns were targeted for being elitist or racist. She has always been there for her, pushing her to be the best version of herself, and catching her whenever she has fallen. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy. Do they ever think anything is enough? She also loves spending time with her husband, we are one team, once a week we have date night.. It was crass. 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. [3] Hashwanis had migrated with the third Ismaili Imam Agha Khan from Persia in the early 1900s and settled in Lasbela, Balochistan. But 27 years cant all be smooth sailing. 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. It was a slow and subtle evolution. Now we feel we are standing at a precipice and we are scared. She did not have a plan B for her career and the only option she had was to switch to commerce. Hobby for privileged class with millions of important contacts. She passed all her exams in her first attempt and was one of the few to complete her CA in the 4 year duration. Before Pinterest and the internet, references came from books, museums and other sources. What part of your business excites you the most? Saadia Qamar March 20, 2011. You should just focus on yourself and your work. 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. She would go round and round the roundabout to see it. SH: Getting there. Now that we are older, we are inducting younger designers so that our design vision evolves in tune with younger preferences. 30 (2019) Area served. Its something we have to change. Today, Shagufta is a mother of two lovely children, trustee of a charitable organization and much, much more. ", Sana says, "I am just excited by the whole thing. I start very early in the morning to make sure I complete all the tasks I am supposed to for the day which includes giving quality time to my boys. You learn to deal with problems as you go along. She spent some time in Sri Lanka and noticed that they had a ministry for floral decoration. Interview: Sana Hashwani and Safinaz Muneer of SANASAFINAZ - People - Aurora Sana and Safinaz on their 25 years in the industry, maintaining product quality, and dealing with copied. They even have their own media wing, organizing exciting activities, meet-ups and promotions on a regular basis. 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. While Sehr believes prioritizing is the key to success and that is exactly what helps her manage each day as it comes, her life is not free of challenges. 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. He authored his memoir 'Truth Always Prevails' in 2014. There isnt an iota of insecurity in what shes doing; Safinaz is generous and is going out of her way to help. We were just numb; we were just doing what we were doing. Join Facebook to connect with Sana Hashwani and others you may know. Theyre all revved up for fashion week and are celebrating the inclusion of their names in the top 50 CEOS of the country. I felt like quitting at that moment. Life does give you chances, there are several paths. 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. All you have to do is get a monthly facial and a good face wash. You dont need to be lavish. Sadaf was able to manage creating a work life balance as she had completed the bulk of her training when she had her children. The greatest challenge she faces is dealing with the issues of HR. Apparel collections include but are not limited to Pret, Diffusion and Bridal Couture lines. The duo is all set to launch its first Muzlin collection of the year and their ubiquitous luxury lawn is right around the corner too. He is also Chairman at Karachi Cotton Association and on the board of 11 other companies. Abroad retail is massive. Then 18 years ago we went into lawn and five years ago we started doing lawn totally on our own. Its exhausting!