Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - Brunch
A MAN FOR ALL REGIONS
Winning hearts on both sides of the border, Pakistani couturier Faraz Manan believes that the subcontinent is his strength
Remember Kareena Kapoor Khan setting the ramp ablaze in a stunning offshoulder pink ensemble at a popular awards do in Dubai? Or those photos of her in lawn suits that broke the Internet? Pakistani designer Faraz Manan has established himself as one of the favourites of timeless Bollywood beauties like Kareena Kapoor Khan, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Karisma Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra
Jonas Even Jacqueline Fernandez and Shraddha Kapoor have turned heads in his glamorous creations
He has also become popular with Indian brides and guests at Indian weddings, the Al-thani royal family of Qatar, and the families of Saudi Sheikhs In his home country, Mahira Khan, amongst many others, carries his outfits with adaa ,or elegance But Kareena is Faraz Manan’s favourite, and India, he says, is his inspiration
INDIAN MUSINGS
As a couturier from across the border, Faraz is excited by the sheer variety and volume of fabrics that are available in India “They provide so much inspiration; the amount of crafts and fabrics in the country is a designer’s delight,” he gushes “There are beautiful cuts and traditions, and if there is one word to sum up Indian fabrics, it’s ‘colour’! No one does colour better than Indian designers”
His favourites are Lucknowi chikankari, Benarasi fabrics, Rajasthani gota work and even bandhani Since his style leans towards modern fusion, he mostly uses zardozi, but Faraz wishes he could use all of India’s fabric crafts “I also love jamavar and kimkhaab (brocade) There is nothing more timeless than kimkhaab,” he says wistfully “It is handwoven, has sheen and yet is controlled
For casual wear, I love mulmul (pure cotton)”
Faraz visits India every year, and the food interests him just as much as the fabrics “I am a big foodie and absolutely love the street food in Mumbai,” he laughs “I love the chaat in Mumbai, and nihari and kebabs in Delhi” His best Delhi food memories are of kulchas and nihari from Dilli Nihari and from a place near Jama Masjid “I also love Haldiram’s chhole bhature!” he chuckles
Though India’s two big cities are always on his travel list, Faraz confesses to being mesmerised by Rajasthan “There is so much inspiration there, from the archithe tecture, to the food, to craftssays manship or jewels,” he
A TIMELESS MUSE
Mostly though, what Faraz loves about India is Kareena Kapoor Khan, the woman he calls his muse “Kareena and Karisma are like family,” he says “I was friends with Karisma, who was my brand amand bassador, then it was a natural transition to Kareena It’s never been a business relationship between us We like each other’s crafts, but because we are friends, it’s been a natural process, rather than a typical commercial Bollywood brand association”
It isn’t just brand shoots and fashion shows Faraz and Kareena have several common interests “We connect on family values, history and food,” he says “That’s perhaps why she is my muse But more than anything else, I think she truly represents the subcontinent She is a modern working mother, and she and Saif (Ali Khan) are the kind of couple the entire region can look up to for the kind of philosophy they carry”
“INDIAN FABRICS PROVIDE MUCH INSPIRATIONNO ONE DOES COLOUR BETTER THAN INDIAN DESIGNERS!”
—FARAZ MANAN