Once she returns, the interview starts off with Mubeena telling us that she has been working under the label Mubeena Shiraz for the past 12 years. She started her career by initially supplying her designs to Collage at Clifton, “I was doing pretty well there but, unfortunately, that shop got burned down in an accident. Then I went on to do several exhibitions and was supplying to Mantra as well. Then a break came as I got married. When my son turned four, I decided to get back to my professional life.”
Three years back Mubeena started working again from home but that was limited to exhibitions on special occasions only as she admits that her first priority is her family. But upon encouragement from her husband, she decided to set up a workshop. “The exhibitions were always sold out. Later, when people inquired about my dresses, I had nothing to show. Then I decided that I should have a proper set-up as it was getting difficult for me to operate from home. I established an office near my house so that it would be convenient to take care of my son and family.”
Her design philosophy is to concentrate on cuts. Hence she has created her own signature style which one could acknowledge as her designs are simple with minimum embellishments. With design comes high quality- consciousness as she says, “From the fabric, dyeing, embroidery, stitching and cutting, to the finished product, whatever a piece involves should be of quality. You owe it to the customer. It is your name that is at stake if the quality is not upto the mark. Mubeena firmly believes that a designer should have his/her own personal statement. She feels that our fashion is increasingly borrowing foreign influences and does not carry our identity. “It should be practical, in accordance with our culture. I can’t do what I am not, and I will not make a piece which I feel I will not wear. Every piece coming out of fashion houses doesn’t necessarily suit you. I always try to convince my customers to wear what suits them rather than what is in vogue. My designs are a blend of east and west and very much attune with our culture.”
As far as the price range of her dresses is concerned, Mubeena simply states, “When a designer claims that all can buy my designs, it is not realistic. No matter what; you cater to the people who can actually afford it. How can a person whose minimum monthly salary is only, say, 10,000 rupees afford to buy designer wear for his wife? I cater to a specific market and I don’t lie about it. My party wear starts from Rs. 6500 and bridal shalwar kameez from 15,000 and then it goes according to the ensemble created. So I will call my couture affordable.”
At the moment, I haven’t expanded which is the need of the day. Let’s see where these exhibitions take me. Fashion shows and a second outlet is also in the pipeline. But everything will come gradually. I want to go step by step. In short, at the end of the day, one has to be sincere and loyal, dedicated to her work and hard working, only then one will succeed,” concludes Mubeena with a smile. v — Uzma Mazhar
Mubeena Shiraz
Workshop No. 4, Block 7/8, Paralkh Centre,
KCHS, Ameer Khusro Road,
Karachi. PH: 021-4538321
URL: www.mubeenashiraz.com
Email: info@mubeenashiraz.com