Ace couturier Fahad Hussayn is making a comeback in the fashion world after discontinuing his eponymous label in February this year. The designer has announced his brand’s revival and that too in his edgy style with a picture from his upcoming collection featuring model Eman Suleman in dramatic head gear.
Earlier this year the designer closed down his brand, citing bankruptcy, and admitted in a heartfelt Instagram post that after 10 long years in the industry and even with his love for the art, he had failed to learn the tricks of the trade. However, this time he is coming back with more drive and passion.
In an exclusive chat with Something Haute, Fahad shared how he managed to revive his brand, Fahad Hussayn Couture & Print Museum.
“I never anticipated the kind of feedback I got when I left and I kept getting a massive number of queries when the brand was shut. So once I got over everything that happened and was happy with my job, I just thought, why not give it another shot with better planning this time? And I decided to restart,” Fahad said.
Read: Designer Fahad Hussayn closes fashion brand due to bankruptcy
What are your plans now and what are you going to do differently?
“This time I just want to be me without caring who thinks what. Earlier, I was driven by other people’s opinions, like for instance what the press would say? Now I want to stay true to myself. I have moved my schedule up a season; I ‘m going to release a Spring/Summer campaign. I don’t want to follow rules made by anybody else. I’m a firm believer that when you really work hard on something and give it your 100 percent with the right kind of planning, things eventually work out!” he added.
So what changes have you made to the financial aspect of your business?
“I have been working in a really good company and I have learnt a lot from there. I have set up a better chain of command to streamline my work efficiently. Unfortunately, people don’t understand what I do. People asked me for handmade joras on machine-made jora prices, comparing it with other designers who make half machine and half- handmade outfits and call it couture,” Fahad said.
“I feel that people don’t even know my product so this time I want to educate people about what I do first and then if they want to buy it, great, otherwise I’m okay. I don’t want to sell to too many people. My livelihood is not dependent on my business anymore. I would like to do it as a business of art this time. I don’t want to fall into the trappings of a commercial aspect because I think fashion in Pakistan is only entertainment for people. Nobody takes it seriously. I teach people to be passionate about what they do and I do it for the same reasons,” he added.
Photography: Aabroo Hashimi /Maram Aabroo
Tell us about your Spring/Summer collection…
“The collection titled ‘Sao Banjara SS 2021’ is extensive,” he laughingly said. “It is for both my brands and collectively it has 72 pieces. We are releasing it Insha Allah next month. I have just shot my Novelty Couture section as an announcement (Eman’s picture) because Instagram feeds take a long time and it is such a big collection and I don’t plan to do massive shows as well. So I thought it’s a good idea to start marketing it even if I publish one design a day.”
“It is Spring/Summer so I think I’m going to take my sweet time publishing this one!”
72 pieces must have taken a long time. Have you been working on them throughout the pandemic?
“Well… yeah, drawing is the best catharsis. There were massive corona scares right after I shut down my business. If I may say so, it was like the best time because I had a lot to think about while being close to nature, spent a lot of time with my mother. I got a lot of perspective and sometimes you need to step away from a situation and analyze it from a distance in order to reach a resolve. I did contemplate,” Fahad concluded.
We wish the designer all the best for his future endeavors!
