In a town filled with more and more of the same styles and same ideas being echoed and enhanced among the majority of designers, Nadya Mistry is a welcome change.  Her fresh, fun clothes have a look of their own and love them or hate them, they make a statement.  Each piece has a distinct look and provides a necessary alternative to mainstream fashion.

Her diverse designs are generally very bold, in terms of colour, colour combinations, styles and cuts.  Unlike the popular colour on colour embroidery and subdued tones, Mistry’s fashions are more colourful and memorable than typical Karachi fashion, yet more ethical and textured than popular Lahori styles.  Her famous Park Towers store attracts a lot of tourists, visitors and regular clients.  A staple on the Karachi social scene, Mistry herself usually dresses in sober blacks and stylish cuts, much more Parisien than her designs.  The sharp contrast between what she wears and what she designs has always been striking and Social Pages recently met up with the designing diva to learn the reasons behind that intrigue, among others.  Read below to learn more about the mysterious Nadya …

WHEN DIDYOU DECIDE TO BECOME A FASHION DESIGNER?

I was interested in fashion ever since I was a little girl, but I guess the decision was made when I was in A-levels.  I enjoy being an artist. I love creating. It’s a powerful feeling and designing is just one of the mediums.

WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR YOUR CAREER?

If I stay alive and motivated I will continue to expand my fashion career. I would like to branch out and try other things under the umbrella of ‘fashion’ or ‘art’. In fact I’m reviewing a few interesting projects at present. But being a superstitious person I’d rather not talk about them

WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS ASIDE FROM FASHION DESIGNING? 

Other than designing for my labels and clients, I also teach ‘art and design’ at my boutique. I’m a movie maniac, love reading and enjoy partying with my friends.

WHAT IS THE SECRET OF YOUR SUCCESS?

I guess the fact that I’m forever evolving as a person and therefore as an artist. I love the taste of new but like to retain the flavor of the old. I hate stagnancy. I’m inquisitive, demanding, obsessive and spontaneous. I know what I want and don’t stop till I get it.

HAS YOUR LIFE CHANGED AFTER YOUR SUCCESS & HOW?

Although I’m thankful to God for everything, I think it doesn’t take much to be successful in this country. I’m waiting to be successful in the real world.

ARE YOUR DESIGNS A REFLECTION OF YOUR OWN PERSONALITY?

My creations come from me and are therefore a part or extension of me. Although some of the themes are inspired but a lot of the capsule collections are based on my moods, feelings or phases that I’m going through.

HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER DESIGNERS?

It’s not just me. I feel every designer is different from the other. I don’t compare or compete with anyone. I’m a passionate designer and an intense artist. I like to push boundaries and think beyond reason maybe that’s why my work doesn’t seem contrived and understated.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF BEING A DESIGNER?

 Selling!

WHO IS YOUR TARGET CLIENT?

The whole world is my client. I don’t like to limit myself. I want everyone who comes to me, to buy from me. In my boutique there’s a dress for every customer and a customer for every dress!

HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR ROLE AS A DESIGNER?

I feel I have set various trends and standards for designers. The concept of ambiance and interiors for boutiques actually came about after I opened my Park Towers boutique. I’m proud to have introduced color to the otherwise pale palette of Pakistani Fashion. I replaced the obsolete and unflattering shalwar with pants. After I came back with a degree in fashion people started taking this profession more seriously and now it is one of the most sought out profession and many youngsters are actually studying for it.

WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL DESIGN PHILOSOPHY?

 I design from the heart. My design philosophy is more instinctive than anything else. I merge my feelings with international trends and the result is what you see in my collections. I use a lot of color as I consider it to be the most obvious form of expression.

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO IN LIFE?   

 I WANT I WANT I WANT!

DO YOU MISS FRANCE?

Yes I do, terribly. It was a gorgeous, liberating experience. I miss the flea markets, I miss the boulangeries, I miss the opéras, I miss jogging under the Tour Eiffel, I miss sitting across the Arc and painting it, I miss the metros, I miss walking down Champs Elysées, I miss climbing the 250 steps to Sacré-Coeur… I miss everything about Paris.

DO YOU TRAVEL OFTEN?  TO WHERE?  DO YOU ENJOY IT?

I love traveling, especially to places I’ve never been before. Always enjoy going back to Europe and India.

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS/INSPIRATIONS FROM?

Inspiration can come from anywhere…a book, a movie, a country, a current event, a phase, anything can inspire you. There are no rules or boundaries to inspiration.

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE DESIGNER & WHY?

 I love Gaultier’s mad fusion, Galliano’s arrogance and Chalayan’s architecture on fabric

HOW DO YOU DEFINE “FASHION”?

Fashion’s fun, frivolous, serious, sober, flashy, classic, evolving…fashion is a feeling…fashion is a lifestyle…

WHAT IS YOUR VISION OF AN IDEAL FASHION INDUSTRY IN PAKISTAN?

An ideal situation would be if we could all understand and respect each others style of work instead of bitching about it. The beauty of creativity is in uniqueness and diversity. It would be tedious to see everyone churning up the same designs sans personality. Also I feel the concept of cliques is redundant and immature. We should function independently or as a whole instead of grouping up in small units. I think that although competition is healthy but at some point we should stop competing with each other and think on a bigger, more global level.

CAN WE ACHIEVE THIS?  WHY OR WHY NOT?  HOW?

Nothing is impossible if the intention is there. If we open our minds up and start accepting instead of criticizing then it’s completely possible. Media can play a big role in building bridges.

HOW CAN WE IMPROVE THE LEVEL OR QUALITY OF PAKISTANI FASHION?

By getting specialized training and by setting high standards for ourselves.

WHAT ARE YOUR OPINIONS OF THE MEDIA’S ROLE AND PERFORMANCE OF ITS ROLE IN PROMOTING OR SIMPLY CRITIQUING FASHION IN PAKISTAN?

I feel the print media is more biased compared to the electronic media. But then print has been covering fashion for longer and can therefore dabble in controversy and critique. The electronic media only reports fashion. In Pakistan, most of the journalists, designers, photographers, make-up artists co-exist in small cliques with the result that anyone belonging to another group or not belonging to any is rejected and ripped apart by the journalist from the ‘other party’.

I think most of our journalists don’t have the right education or exposure to criticize fashion. When they talk about designers getting a degree maybe they should consider getting one themselves.

DO YOU THINK FASHION DESIGNERS NEED TO BE TRAINED?

I think everyone in every field needs to be trained. Exceptions do exist all over the world when people have made it big without proper, related education. We should encourage future training but not condemned the designers who have been there before us and didn’t get the chance to receive a formal degree in fashion. Fashion was not such a serious profession back then. But they have done the most difficult task of laying the foundation of fashion in Pakistan and should always be respected for that.

HOW DO YOU THINK FUTURE DESIGNERS SHOULD BE TRAINED?

I think anyone who can afford to go and study abroad should definitely do so. Local schools are not at par with international schools. We should provide degrees that are recognized all over the world not just in Pakistan. Otherwise it is a waste of time and money. Exposure is very important and future designers should be given the opportunity to travel and see real fashion. 

WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING BACKGROUND?  WHEN?  WHEN?  FOR HOW LONG?  :     

B.A. in Stylisme/ Modelisme (3 yrs degree in Fashion Designing) from L'Institut Supérieur des Arts Appliqués (L.I.S.A.A) Paris, France

WHICH OUTFIT THAT YOU HAVE DESIGNED YOUR FAVOURITE WORK SO FAR?

I would have to say the egg plant/emerald/ ochre velour devoré and tulle gharara which was one of my earlier pieces. It had big, ornamental peacocks on the gharara border along with motifs from the Taj Mahal

IN YOUR FIELD YOU WORK WITH LOTS OF MODELS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS?  WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITES?

My favorite models are Lulu Nana and Zoella. They are both not working anymore. I don’t have a favorite photographer. I like working with everyone.

WHAT IS YOUR STAR SIGN?  

Capricorn.

WHAT ABOUT YOU WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO LEARN?

I would let that remain a surprise!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SONG?

How can you have one favorite song? Well, one song that I don’t get tired of listening to is Teri Yaad by Nazia Hassan.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO EAT?

Seafood, in almost any shape, size or form. I also enjoy middle eastern cuisine very much.

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO SPEND A LAZY SUNDAY?

I hate Sundays. I feel lost and helpless to see everything closed. If I’m not working, then I’m either brunching with my family, or hanging out with my friends. I hate lazing around doing nothing, except when I’m watching a movie.

ARE YOU SOCIAL OR AN INTROVERT?

I’m very social, friendly and talkative. People and time fascinate me. I love meeting new people. Each one is a complete trip and I find it very interesting to know what makes them tick.

DO YOU LIKE TO TALK OR ARE YOU QUIET?

I’m only quiet when I’m sleeping!

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST REWARDING MOMENT SO FAR?

So far, nothing beats the fact that I was selected by Paco Rabanne as one of the top students in my school in Paris.

ARE YOU A WORKAHOLIC OR ARE YOU EASILY ABLE TO BALANCE HOME AND WORK?

I’m an extremist so whatever I do is in excess.

YOU GENERALLY DON’T ADVERTISE MUCH.  WHY?  WHAT IS YOUR MARKETING STRATEGY?

I have been very lucky because ever since I started out the print and electronic media have followed, reported and publicized me so much, I really never felt that I was missing or forgotten and would need any added advertisement. I do however get my shoots printed in various magazines on a regular basis. I also advertise my bridal wear in Libas quite frequently, as I feel it’s a reputable and internationally recognized magazine.

HAVE YOU BEEN TRAINED IN BUSINESS AS WELL OR HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE BUSINESS ASPECT OF EXPANSION AND MANAGEMENT?

      Well, managing the business of fashion was part of my three year training in Paris. I                      have a head for business and the great entrepreneurial support of my brother who I consider to be a powerhouse of ideas.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE PARK TOWERS FOR YOUR FLAGSHIP STORE?

I took the longest time to decide where to open my boutique. I kept looking around and was immediately interested when I saw this huge mall coming up. As soon as I saw the entrance shops, I fell in love with them and knew that was it. Park Towers is a great venue as everyone who comes to Karachi visits it. Being among the first few people to get a shop there, I was lucky to get a fabulous spot as it is both conspicuous and grand.

WHERE DO YOU SEE “NADYA MISTRY” THE LABEL AND NADYA MISTRY THE PERSON 5 YEARS FROM NOW? 

Although I am an ambitious person and I do have lots of goals for myself, I like to take life one day at a time. I live for the moment and am extremely open to change. Who knows tomorrow I might just be another person?

FAVOURITE QUOTE: “If you look good and dress well you don’t need a purpose in life.”