beauty
From time to time in our ‘beauty talk’ section we feature different celebrities who share their experiences, achievements and beauty secrets with us. This week You! talks to Karachi-based designer Mariyam D. Rizwan...
Mariyam D. Rizwan has been designing beautiful costumes for women since 2015. Her luxury pret line is an amalgam of eastern and western wear. She has done BA in Textile Design from Central Saint Martins Art School, London.
Mariyam has a background in working internationally for powerhouses brands such as Alexander McQueen & Ted Baker to high-street brands like H&M.
Mariyam showed her first collection in London 2014, which was basically her thesis collection. She opened her outlet in Karachi in December 2015. According to Mariyam, designing is something which she has always enjoyed. “It’s my passion.
I love designing and constructing.” This week, the talented designer shares her experiences and beauty secrets with our readers....
You! What is your design philosophy?
Mariyam D. Rizwan: To keep it simple and to push boundaries.
You! What type of clothes you design for women?
MDR: Clothes that can complement all body types and can make women feel confident.
You! What kind of women do you like to dress?
MDR: Strong, independent women.
You! What do you like best about designing clothes?
MDR: Sketching.
You! What was the first outfit that you designed?
MDR: It was an abstract hand painted gown in London.
You! How would you define your own sense of style?
MDR: Minimalistic.
You! What is your signature embellishment and fabric choice?
MDR: I love light weight fabrics and chain embellishments.
You! What is the inspiration behind your latest collection?
MDR: Liberated, confident women.
You! Tell us about how you developed your aesthetic?
MDR: I like to surround myself with inspirations - travelling as been played a huge part in this.
You! Do you prefer sketching designs or actually constructing them?
MDR: I’m an artist, so sketching has always been my thing.
You! What seasonal looks and colours are you expecting this summer?
MDR: Pastels and lots of pleated outfits.
You! What is the one piece of clothing that you shy away from wearing and why?
MDR: High-waisted pants; I feel they make me look really broad.
You! What are the difficulties faced by designers in getting their work done?
MDR: Dealing with labour. It can be quite a nightmare.
You! How long does it usually take you to design an outfit?
MDR: It depends on detailing the outfit requires.
You! Do you think there is potential for new designers in our fashion industry?
MDR: Yes, of course there is potential. The fashion industry is growing every day. The only advice I would give to young designers is to work hard and believe in yourself, because no one else will.
You! What advice do you want to give to the girls? How they should dress up?
MDR: A person’s wardrobe choices are a reflection of their personality and taste so it is important to choose what they wear carefully.
You! How do you manage to strike the right balance between family and work?
MDR: My family is really supportive of what I do. I have great people around me who make sure it all works.
You! What kinds of future plans do you foresee for your brand?
MDR: To expand internationally.
BEAUTY CORNER
What is one cosmetic you cannot do without?
Mascara.
When stepping out, do you wear make up all the time?
Preferably not, I am at the workshop during the day and I like being makeup free.
When it comes to cosmetics, which brands do you usually use?
Huda Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury, Anastasia Beverly Hills.
What’s in your beauty bag?
Concealer, mascara & lipstick.
Your go-to lipstick:
Bombshell by Huda Beauty.
When applying makeup, what do you dread the most?
I think it’s the other way round, I dread taking it off. Lol!
Do you go to salon regularly for your facials?
Yes, I try to once in a while.
Your preferred spa or salon:
Blush salon.
Signature perfume:
J’adore by Dior.
Your beauty regimen:
Keeping my skin hydrated at all times.
Do you use anti-aging creams?
Not yet.
Do you believe in treatments like Botox?
Not really, I think people get carried away when they start losing volume in their face, but they forget that it actually accelerates the appearance of aging.
Are you fond of using too much makeup or prefer a good skin with minimal amount of makeup?
I am not a makeup junkie at all. I prefer good skin with minimal amount of makeup.
Where do you go for your makeup shopping?
Sephora.
Do you use whitening creams?
Never.
What is beauty to you?
Beauty is how you feel about yourself. Knowing and accepting who you are, despite what others think of you. That confidence eventually comes from many life experiences and lessons. Figuring out what you like, what you don’t like and owning it.