Rarely would you have come across a fashion designer turned model/actress… it's mostly the other way round. But not so with Nazia Malik! The girl has always been clear about her choices in life. This Piscean lass is a Commerce graduate which was just the beginning for her. Once she had graduated, she focused on obtaining diploma's in quite a few genres of Art - Fashion Designing, Graphic Designing, Art, Photography and Make up. Already impressed? Well there's a lot more to come… so hang on to your seats readers!

Her initiation in the world of glamour can all be attributed to her "family friend" Abdullah Kadwani "who is like a brother to me and Abdullah's wife is my childhood friend." "My very first project was actually behind the camera; I worked as an Assistant Producer in Panchwaan Mausam," she reveals. "Abdullah bhai is the first person who offered me a part in one of his plays. Though I was tempted, my family gave me a very tough time as they were completely opposed to the idea of my working for the television. They thought I was very young for this kind of exposure," Nazia adds. "But that did not deter me, and I tried convincing my family, assuring them that I would never let them down. And today mashAllah I enjoy their wholehearted support as they are extremely happy with my success," she preens.

It was exactly five years back that she had forayed into the world of fashion designing and "at that time I used to give interviews and that is what brought me in contact with the media personnel. So I started getting offers for serials. It was precisely in May 2004 that Ayesha from Indus Vision offered me a role for Zaheer Khan's play which I accepted. It was then that the thought that I could act, struck me for the very first time. However, that serial was not aired at that time and I next worked in a Moomal Production. My friend Farah Naz, who is a writer, introduced me to the Moomal team. However, I made my first appearance on television in Laila Wasti's drama from Indus Vision," recalls the designer girl.

Nazia is not the only one in her family who has chosen this tricky and immensely competitive field. "Imran Saleem, my cousin's husband is a model and an actor besides being a well known designer. He is working in partnership with my cousin Rabia under the banner of IMBIAS. Then I also have a niece Hina Malik who is an anchor for CNBC Pakistan. She came into this field almost three months after I did. And then there's our family friend Abdullah Kadwani, who is the most prominent in showbiz!"

Though she had never considered showbiz to be a profession, nevertheless she now considers it her part time job. "It is a good way of earning a quick buck but my passion remains designing. But don't start thinking I'm about to leave showbiz for I have no such intentions," she smiles.

We have been seeing Nazia trying to coerce us into buying some product or the other on television; and then she looks you straight in the eye out of some glossy or the other, yet the lass refuses to be called a model. "No! No! No! I cannot be labeled a model! I am not interested in catwalk or fashion photography. What I do like to call myself is an actor and an anchor person. I love to work as a host, especially in live shows, they really get me going. These days I'm doing live shows on TV1," clarifies Nazia. "I have done commercials I admit but I am not in the catwalk scene at all because I am a fashion designer and would much rather see our beautiful models adorning my clothes on the ramp," she quips.

Wanting to delve more about her designing she enthusiastically continues, "When I started designing I introduced a purely western line; there was nothing traditional at that time. Then I branched out and concentrated on a fusion line. Presently I am working on bridals and formal wear which is again more fusion than traditional." Nazia seeks inspiration from nature especially "stars, galaxy, diamonds, flowers, colors, dreams and depth of the sea inspires me the most."

Herself a designer, she has a great deal of respect for Usman Dittu whose creations she believes are superb. And so you may have guessed who her favorite fashion designer is? Why, Usman Dittu himself! On the international front "I like Zuhair Murad and Elie Saab."

She has cleverly designed her workshop at her place which keeps her "near my mom and family. I love kids and spend every spare moment with my adorable nephews. So for me work and family go together," she quips.

Her routine rarely wavers as she is a stickler for time. "I wake up early in the morning at 8:00 o'clock every morning as I have to go to the studios for my live show. I wrap up my show around 1:00 o'clock and that's that as far as my showbiz activities go. Or if there is some commercial, which is quite rare, then I have to devote more time to it. Otherwise after my live shows I give my full attention to my fashion designing. My rest of the day is devoted to my clients, my tailors, my karigars or at times making rounds of the markets to purchase material for my creations," she says in detail. And her routine is more or less the same, as Nazia believes in working hard. Rain or shine you are sure to catch this girl engrossed in some TV project or her designing. But she is also someone who believes that all work and no play makes jack a dull boy! And so no matter how busy she is, Nazia always manages to fit her family and friends in her tight schedule. "Whenever I have the time I go out with my friends and we have a great time. I simply love being with my family and friends," she admits.

Her preference of attire like her preference in designing is also western wear. But these days she's more inclined towards "fusion wear." Add to that a prettily made up Nazia and you have a charming personality in front of you. "I have always been a make-up person but not anymore. Now that I am doing the live shows and have to wear make-up everyday I don't like it on my face more than is necessary. You will only catch me with my face painted these days if I have to attend some special event." Which she does quite frequently! Where there is action you are bound to see this butterfly socializing.

When asked to relate some memorable incident in her showbiz career, she says she considers all her assignments memorable, but "there is this one incident that is still fresh in my mind. Recently, I was doing the Kissan Cooking Oil Show with Geo TV; Mehboob and my producer concocted a really scary story about one of our female guests on the show and they succeeded in scaring me to death. When they saw I was petrified they started howling with laughter and revealed it was but a joke! Once I got over the initial shock I too laughed with the guys. So that was quite a funny incident!"

She loves being a celebrity and her most ardent fans are ladies. "Since I do live shows on TV 1 for women frequently I find I am most famous amongst them."

Plans for the future do not exist as this girl believes in taking each day as it comes. "I never think about the future," says she. So why should we? Let the girl enjoy life her way!