January issue 2012

“I’ve tried to reinvent myself several times because I feel that fashion is dynamic and it’s fluid. In order to grow as a designer — and as a design house — I believe that constant reinvention is necessary. Attaining monetary success alone is not enough.”

Shamaeel Ansari’s growth as a designer in a career spanning 26 years has been spectacular. And true to her words, her couture and luxury prêt designs have remained in high demand. She believes that her brand “stands for bold femininity, it makes a statement and it has an eye for detail. That essence is something that I never want to lose in my creations. To be able to call yourself a designer, you must create a certain distinguishing character. If somebody walks out in a Shamaeel outfit, it should be a head-turner.”

Ten years ago, Shamaeel broke new ground and introduced her line of printed lawn. Many designers have, since, also taken that route and created everyday-wear lawn collections but few have that exquisitely chic quality that Shamaeel has consistently put forth in each of her collections. For her latest winter collection, ‘Best of Pakistan,’ she has presented a line that provides a dizzying array of colourful prints as well as a selection of peshwaz and A-line kameezes in the always-in-fashion, classic shade of white.

Click on any photo below to begin the slide show:

Model: Sana Khan

Make-up: Depilex (Asma Khan)

Styling: Cats Modelling Agency

Photographer: Abdullah

This feature was originally published in the Annual 2012 issue of Newsline under the headline “Fashion Forward.”