Khadijah Shah
Khadijah Shah | |
|---|---|
| Born | Pakistan |
| Citizenship | United States Pakistan |
| Alma mater | London School of Economics |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Known for | Élan and Zaha |
| Father | Salman Shah |
Khadijah Shah is a Pakistani American fashion designer and activist who is the founder and creative director of the fashion labels Élan and Zaha.[1] Previously, she served as the creative director of Sapphire Retail from 2014 to 2017.[2]
Early life and education
Khadijah Shah was born to Salman Shah, a former caretaker finance minister of Pakistan, and Aneela Shah, a fashion designer.[3] She was raised by her grandparents Asif Nawaz Janjua, who served as a Chief of Army Staff, and Nuzhat.[4]
Shah completed her higher education in the United Kingdom and graduated with a bachelor's degree in international relations from the London School of Economics.[3][5]
She later returned to Pakistan to pursue a career in fashion.[3]
Career
Shah chose fashion design as her career due to the influence of her mother.[3] In 2004, she founded the fashion house Élan, named after her mother's nickname. It was initially focused on high-end bridal and couture wear.[3] Élan later expanded to India as well.[6][7]
In 2012, Shah formed a joint initiative with Hussain Mills to launch Élan Lawn.[3][8] Two years later, in 2014, she became creative director at Sapphire Retail, a position she held until 2017, while continuing to manage Élan.[3][9] After leaving Sapphire, she launched a separate fashion label, Zaha, in 2017.[3][10]
In 2023, Shah was arrested in Lahore in connection with unrest and Corps Commander House attack.[11][12]
Personal life
Shah is married and has three children, two sons and a daughter.[8][13] She holds dual citizenship.[3][14]
References
- ^ "Haute Shots".
- ^ "Upfront, close and personal with… Khadija Shah". The News International.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Abidi, Maliha (November 6, 2022). "Pakistan's most successful designer brand is in trouble. But why?". Profit by Pakistan Today.
- ^ "Khadijah Shah profile". July 3, 2020.
- ^ Feitelberg, Rosemary (June 9, 2023). "U.S. State Department Addresses Imprisonment of Designer Khadijah Shah in Pakistan".
- ^ "India has tastes, sensibilities very similar to Pakistan: Designer". September 27, 2018.
- ^ "These Pakistan designers redefine traditional couture for Indian brides". Vogue India. September 6, 2016.
- ^ a b "Pakistan's Khadijah Shah: Redefining Fashion". Gulf News. June 5, 2022.
- ^ Rehman, Maliha (February 7, 2016). "First person: Lawn, lookalikes and politics". Dawn.
- ^ Maqsood, Haider. "Khadija Shah and Sapphire end their alliance". The News International.
- ^ "Designer Khadija Shah arrested for 'leading Jinnah House attack'". The Express Tribune. 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
- ^ "Designer Khadija Shah arrested for 'leading Jinnah House attack'". The Express Tribune. May 23, 2023.
- ^ Rehman, Maliha (February 17, 2019). "STYLE: KHADIJAH'S REAL ELAN". Dawn.
- ^ "'I'm a PTI supporter and a dual national': Who is Khadija Shah?". www.geo.tv. 22 May 2023.