pakistan fashion

Only twenty four years and she is ready to take over the catwalks in Paris, Milan and New York, Maria Belal is an ambitious young Pakistani designer with vision. A graduate of the Pakistan School of Fashion Design, Maria launched her label ‘Maria B’ in Lahore back in March 99. Right after the fashion show, she opened the doors to her new boutique located in the Defence residential area. Her cotton shalwar kameez and embroidered evening wear, all meticulously cut and stitched, were quickly snapped up by trendy Lahoris.

During her four years at the Fashion School, Maria learnt to make patterns, drape and stitch by hand – all that hard work has obviously paid off. Maria’s clothes can be described as chic and modern – they are wearable, well-cut and neatly finished. For the shoot with Meera, she selected outfits off the rack. “I wanted a glamourous look – to depict a lifestyle with a certain image. These are clothes for every occasion; they are laid back and eccentric.” The outfits she has selected – from a cotton sleeveless shalwar kameez to black net culottes to a chiffon sari – embody her look for the modern Pakistani woman in the late 90s.

Unlike other aspiring designers in Pakistan, Maria has been exposed to the international fashion scene early in her career. While still a student, in 1997 she participated in Forcea, a competition in for young designers, in Belgium and walked away with the “Les Etoiles De La Mode” Award. “I had designed some modern, futuristic pieces, but I had used traditional embroideries and indigenous materials. I didn’t expect much, but I did try my best – after all, we were the first batch from Pakistan to participate in this event, she recalls. Maria went home with an award and there was no turning back. She learnt that there was tremendous scope for Pakistani fabrics in the international market and was determined to make her mark globally. As she says with confidence, “I’m a staunch patriot – I want to take Pakistan’s name in the international fashion scene. I want to show people around the world what a great heritage we have. That really is the core philosophy of my business. We want to go into the international market and prove ourselves as a Pakistani brand name.”

Maria’s main goal is to export her outfits abroad – “I want to send haute-couture items such as evening wear, bridal wear etc. to Europe and then eventually to the US.” She knows it is difficult to break into the international market and has given herself ten years to do so. “That is how long it takes for most designers – so it is good that I am starting so young!” She remains undaunted by the global competition and says “you have to aim high – and I do want to get to New York, Milan and Paris one day.”

become a fashion designer

As a fashion designer, you will have a creative andexciting career that many people only dream about.

     

There are many fashion design career paths for you to choose from. Some fashion designers work for top houses such as Tommy Hilfiger and Chanel. Others are employed by mass-market manufacturers of men's, women's and children's apparel.

Or you could start your own fashion design business, establishing a distinctive style and overseeing fashion creation from initial concept to manufacturing and distribution.

In this field, there is a long history of people rising from humble beginnings to become fashion designer stars.

• Laura Ashley got her start as a secretary.
• Vera Wang began designing when she became engaged at age 39 and couldn't find a suitable wedding gown for the mature first bride.
• Ralph Lauren was born into a middle-class family who lived in the Bronx, and used to buy suits with his pocket money at age 12. He is now one of therichest and most famous fashion designers in the world.

Of course, it takes hard work, creativity, and a true passion for fabulous designs to achieve success as a fashion designer, but you can break into this career much more quickly and easily with the . In this guide you will discover how you can get started and succeed as a fashion designer. 

Guide author Peter J. Gallanis is former associate editor of a leading fashion retail magazine. The experts who share insider advice in this powerful how-to guide include:

• Stan Herman, President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America
• Louis de Gama, winner of the New Generation Designer award from the British Fashion Council
• Linda Lundström, who designs and manufactures her own lines of women's fashions sold in more than 350 retail stores
• Plus more than two dozen other fashion industry professionals and fashion designers.

The guide covers topics of vital importance if you want to learn fashion design, get hired as a fashion designer, or start your own fashion design business in the United States or Canada, plus helpful advice for starting a fashion design business in any country. It includes:

• What you need to know about the fashion design industry, including:
• Why people buy fashion apparel
• Where the leading fashion centers are
• Who's who in the fashion design world
• What the fashion categories are (haute couture, ready-to-wear and 5 others you should know)
• When designs are sold (the fashion seasons)
• What a fashion designer does
• A step-by-step overview of how to design a garment, including:
• Refining your idea (including identifying thestyle and who will wear it) 
• Sketching the design
• Pattern making
• Steps for draping
• Choosing the fabric, color, trims, etc.
• Making samples
• Manufacturing garments
• How to develop your fashion design skills, including:
• Knowledge of textiles
• Sewing for the fashion industry
• Sketching by hand and CAD (computer design)
• Developing your eye for fashion 
• How to identify trends
• Ways to enhance your creativity
• What to look for if you want to attend a fashion design school (includes links to the best online resources listing design schools and colleges)
• Other ways to educate yourself about fashion design without getting a degree or diploma

• Types of employers including the top ready-to-wear designers and haute couture houses with the following information where available:
• Company name
• Mailing address
• Phone number
• Fax number
• Email address
• Website
• Information about types of positions including assistant designer, accessories designer, design adapter, design director, etc.
• Entry-level positions in the apparel industry including patternmaker, sketcher, and sample maker
• How to find job openings
• The best online job boards for the fashion design industry
• Employment agencies for fashion designers
• Fashion industry publications
• Unadvertised positions
• How to prepare a portfolio
• Items to include in your portfolio
• Getting pictures of your designs
• How to create a theme board
• Preparing a CD-ROM portfolio
• Preparing a resume and cover letter (includessamples)
• How to get great references
• Interview tips including what to wear and how to make a fabulous impression (includes a list of questions you should not ask)

• How to create a business plan for your fashion design business
• Determining your start-up costs (plus a list of expenses new fashion designers often forget to include)
• Where to get start-up financing  (plus a little known source of funding especially for fashion design businesses)
• Choosing a name for your fashion design business
• Trademarking your label
• What else you need to know to start a fashion design business (with tips and links to resources on business insurance, taxes on product sales,incorporating, etc.)
• How to set up your workspace whether you work athome or rent a showroom (includes information on how to find a showroom)
• A checklist of supplies and equipment you'll need for designing and manufacturing (includes information on how to find suppliers)
• How to minimize your expenses
• How to hire a design assistant
• Finding a manufacturer (plus what to beware of when choosing a manufacturer)
 Designer Alice Asquith

• Defining your market (type of garment, who will wear it, price range) 
• Identifying your unique selling point
• Setting your clothing prices
• Sales tools for fashion designers (including garment samples and line sheets)
• Finding private clients
• How to sell to boutiques
• How to sell to department stores and large retailers
• Getting publicity for your fashion design business
• Creating a traveling showroom
• Hiring a sales representative for your fashion design business
• Selling through catalogs and online
• The three types of shows you should know about:
• Trunk shows
• Trade shows
• Runway shows
• Processing customer orders
• What you should know about returns

• Links to the best fashion industry resourcesincluding web sites, trade publications, professional associations, and fashion internship opportunities
• Valuable samples and checklists to help you start a fashion design business, including:
• business plan samples
• startup budget checklist
• operating budget checklist
• supply and equipment checklist
• sample spec sheet for manufacturing
• sample client order form
• sample wholesale order form
• sample invoice
• sample boutique consignment agreement
• sample line sheet
• sample press release
• And more! (including free updates)

You can have all this and more for an incredible price. It can cost hundreds of dollars to take courses on starting a business, and chances are they will not include specific information about starting a fashion design business.  contains some of the best fashion career and business advice you could get from other sources, plus much more. It can save you many hours of research, help you avoid some costly mistakes, and give you information you need to get hired as a fashion designer or start your own fashion design business.