Pakistani ‘Couture’?
Printed in "The Post"---Eyecandy Magazine
14th August, 2005----Station Chaos Column
&
Printed in "Instep" ---- The News
15th January, 2006.
Have any of you ever stopped and wondered what Pakistani designers mean when they say ‘we also have a couture line’? What goes through your mind when you go to liberty and read the word ‘couture’ written on a garment shop? You would be flabbergasted to learn the precise meaning and implication of not just the word ‘couture’, but also of the art itself. You would be equally stunned to find out how this fine form of fashion is being exploited and its meaning tainted. Have Pakistani designers really reached the position and level of expertise in fashion, where they can claim that they have mastered the art of couture? If not, I believe we must address the perversion of this term that is definitely taking place on many levels.
Haute Couture is a French phrase for high fashion. Couture means dressmaking, sewing or needlework and haute means elegant or high. The two words when combined represent excellent skill with the fashioning of garments. It is a prestigious face for French creative fashion and original design.
It is imperative for any designer to understand that there is a huge difference between a high-priced ready-to-wear garment, that they often incorrectly call ‘couture ready-to-wear’, and an actual 'couture' outfit. The term ‘couture-ready-to-wear’ is of course a contradiction in itself since couture implies clothes made to measure for individual customers, and ready-to-wear means garments produced in standard sizes not keeping in mind the individual measurements of the people who will eventually buy them. In Pakistan, our vision and understanding of haute couture is totally wrong.
The exclusive made to order, couture clothes are virtually made completely by hand, with the use of luxurious fabrics and superb needlework. They command exorbitant prices and are sold to the wealthy and sociably mobile. In addition the clients get a perfection of fit only achieved by meticulous methods of cutting and fitting to the client's body. Designers create their initial designs using muslin (for flowing designs), calico or linen canvas (for tailored garments). These samples are called ‘toiles’ and save the designer from using very expensive fabrics. The toile can be manipulated, marked and accustomed to fit a live model’s measurements till the designer is satisfied. The final toile of a design is an exact interpretation of the line and cut right down to the button placement or hemline that the designer desires. An exclusive haute couture garment means that there is only one of its kind. No two people would have the same couture garment in their wardrobe and this is why people are willing to pay vast sums for it. I personally feel that nothing produced in Pakistan yet bears the slightest semblance to European Couture and there are very few trained designers in Pakistan who even manage to follow half of the rules of couture making. However, I am fully aware that there are a few who would beg to disagree with me.
Nowadays in the West, wearing couture is affordable for those who are happy to pay for exclusivity, high quality, superb craftsmanship and a fresh idea, but is no longer appropriate for many, as prices are too excessive. For Western designers, making couture is actually unprofitable now. It is only a means by which to publicize their ready-to-wear divisions through which they make the most money locally and globally. They sell their potential customers a dream through their couture creations, a dream of something elusive and indescribable; the fashion shows attract huge media attention and bring great publicity to couture houses. In Pakistan it is the complete opposite. Over here designers start out with ready-to-wear lines and ultimately venture into so called ‘couture lines’, from which they end up extracting the most income. If they were producing genuine couture, this would be an impossible phenomenon.
Some Pakistani designers claim not just to have a couture line but also to have a couture house. Now let me explain, that in the West a trade association determines qualifications for a couture house. Membership with this trade association is limited to couturiers that meet specified qualifications and abide by a set of rules. I believe that in Pakistan because the concept of tailors was already widespread, it was easier for designers to lean towards the made to measure style of designing rather than the ready to wear. However these tailors are not trained sufficiently or adequately yet and do not posses the finesse required in making couture.
As a student of the Pakistan School of Fashion Design (affiliated with the most prestigious French trade association—La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne), and having been trained in the art of haute couture for 4 years, I strongly believe that Pakistan can at some point actually produce authentic ‘couturiers’, but there is still a long way to go before that happens. This is why I stress that the word ‘couture’ should be respected for what it is and not flung about carelessly. I know that with this article I will end up ruffling a few feathers as it may, but I think if as Pakistani designers we want to attain international acclaim at some point, that we should go through the steps of evolution (as man did), rather then jump from one stage to the next.
In the end I encourage all readers to ponder over this matter of the alleged Pakistani ‘Couture’ trend. The terminology is definitely impressive, but do we have the vital ingredients to complete the recipe? They include training, experience, facilities, knowledge, quality and caliber. I’ll let you be the judge of that.
FARIHA RASHED.
I like to write when I'm spiteful; it's like having a good sneeze. (Collected Letters; (1962) Volume 1, page 246)
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
UNFATHOMABLE.
UNFATHOMABLE.
DIVA Magazine.
Issue No. 40, August/September2005
The ‘Cindy Crawford of Lahore’…..this is what instantly comes to my mind when I think of super model Iffat Rahim. This rather unique title has been, gallantly bestowed upon her by the local media. Iffat understandably feels quite flattered by the comparison made between her and one of the top most successful and popular supermodels of the world. The comparison in our minds might be a rather far fetched one, in terms of the difference in scale in popularity and success between the two; however, I believe it is a fair one in terms of the confidence, caliber and professionalism inherent in both the ladies.
Iffat impressively holds a Masters in Graphic Designing and was born in Lahore on 12th February, which makes her an Aquarian. She believes that fate played its skillful hand in wooing her towards becoming a model. Her parent’s complete support made it a much easier and smoother path to success and stardom. Iffat has noticed a huge difference in nature, between the modeling world when she started out and was at her peak, and the modeling field now. Her opinion was clearly put across when she said to me, “honestly it has now deteriorated, as the element of nudity really bothers me”.
Iffat does however have some favorites among the local fashion designers with Umar Saeed at the top of her list. Iffat whole heartedly feels that “he is the best”. Internationally she likes D&G, Gucci, Hermes and LV as she is totally into bags and shoes. Having worked with many photographers in her time, Iffat insists that Ather Shahzad are the most professional in Pakistan and when I probed her further as to why she feels that way, she very matter-of-factly announced “You know why! They are the best in their field”. Iffat recalled that out of all the fashion shows she has witnessed in Pakistan, Neelofer Shahid’s first show was the most amazing one. She told me that “in those times it was an absolutely new concept to have fashion shows, and Neelofer being the classy lady that she is, really brought a bout of fresh air into the fashion scene”. Iffat personally hated doing live shows and preferred photo shoots to the catwalk. She has immense personal style from what she wears and how she wears it to her entire outward demeanor. Iffat’s fashion statement in her own words is “it’s not what you wear; it’s how you carry it”. She perceives and hopes her own image to be quite dignified in the media circle.
Iffat has made vital contributions to the entertainment industry and when she looks back she is most proud of her first production called ‘Iffat’s Fashion Magazine’. She explains that “I think my life is an example of how to maintain dignity in the field of fashion/modeling and bring with it respectability which has been a source of encouragement to lots of new people entering the arena”. This is what Iffat believes to be her biggest contribution to this field. She shrewdly advises girls that want to enter into modeling as a career, to “never compromise on values”.
Iffat met her husband through a mutual friend and theirs was a 100% love marriage. She proudly told me that the craziest thing she has ever done is “falling in love with the craziest man I have ever known”. When I hinted at her marriage maybe having something to do with the halt in her modeling career she quickly corrected me and said “no it was long before that”.
Besides modeling, this multi talented woman has acted, directed, compeered, produced and done set designing. She feels that the most fulfilling out of all the things she has tried her hand at, is acting. At present Iffat categorizes herself as a director and producer and her future plans include directing and producing a serial. She strongly believes that everything happens as a result of one’s destiny and one of the influences that mould her personality and creativity is the “continuous drive to do better”. Her inspirations include first and foremost her husband and then, “every successful woman out there”. She also very confidently and boldly claims to have no regrets in life so far.
While performing the difficult task of self analyzing herself, Iffat told me that she perceives having a strong character and honesty to be two of the major qualities in her personality. In criticism of herself she complained that the weakness in her character is her temper. However when she looks in the mirror she sees “a satisfied mother, a successful professional, a loving wife and an obedient daughter”. About her role as a mother she modestly says, “I am an ok mother because nothing is good enough for my little princess…I want to raise her so intelligently that she can ascertain right from wrong”. When I cautiously probed Iffat about whether she would support her daughter (Noor-e-Jehan) in the future, if she were to want to become a model, I was very pleased by her sensitive and loving answer “I would stay neutral. She will be making her own decisions in life. She is the apple of my eye….my strength….and my greatest weakness”. This showed me that Iffat is not only a competent professional but also an understanding, committed and reliable mother. She agrees that she has gained tremendous personal growth through life, “especially after becoming a mommy”.
You won’t see Iffat Rahim attending or mingling at ever party or get together that takes place courtesy of the big names in media. Socializing is of some significance to her, but only with her friends, those that are very important to her. As the topic of noble causes was touched upon, Iffat confides to me that she has not been able to do anything charitable on a big level, but on a personal level she tries to do her best. When I asked her about what the nature of her relationship with God is, she very persuasively answered “very good…..can’t you see that?”
Iffat is a petite woman who has always stayed slim, yet healthy. Surprisingly she does nothing to maintain her slender figure---“I don’t exercise regularly but because of my metabolism I stay thin. My diet principally comprises of vegetables but there is no specific diet I follow”. Yes, some people are just born lucky! She considers her best feature to be her face.
In an attempt to know Iffat better, for who she is from the inside, I asked her about some of her favorite things and boy does this lady have taste!
Her favorite:
Color: White
Cuisine: Thai
City: London
Car: VW Beetle
Music: All Kinds
Pet: Gypsy (my bitch)
Sport: Polo
Perfume: Gucci Rush
Book: One Hundred Years Of Solitude by Garcia.
Recently, Iffat has starred in Strings’ latest video, for their song ‘Kahani Mohabbat Kee’. Her performance was well done and well choreographed. I feel that she expressed, with great conviction, the pain inherent in her character’s life. The video has become a hit and was directed by well known and accomplished director Umar Anwar. I asked Iffat what made her want to do the video and how she got the part. This is what she had to say: “I did it because Strings are my favorite local band. I was offered the part and I was told that they had me in mind for the part so I decided to do it pro bono. Yes, I enjoyed it, although later I missed the New Year party back home and got hell from my hubby”.
It was my pleasure to interview a dynamic woman who had the courage to enter a field that was at one time looked down upon in Pakistan, and who made her place and mark as one of the top models of this country. She helped transform the image of modeling into that of a dignified career for girls to follow. She paved the way for them. Iffat’s way of thinking comes across to me as a very balanced blend of ‘daring’ and ‘conservative’ at the same time. She continues to strive to do more and I wish her the best of luck. I will end my article on Iffat Rahim with her favorite quote “what will be, will be”.
By: Fariha Rashed.
DIVA Magazine.
Issue No. 40, August/September2005
The ‘Cindy Crawford of Lahore’…..this is what instantly comes to my mind when I think of super model Iffat Rahim. This rather unique title has been, gallantly bestowed upon her by the local media. Iffat understandably feels quite flattered by the comparison made between her and one of the top most successful and popular supermodels of the world. The comparison in our minds might be a rather far fetched one, in terms of the difference in scale in popularity and success between the two; however, I believe it is a fair one in terms of the confidence, caliber and professionalism inherent in both the ladies.
Iffat impressively holds a Masters in Graphic Designing and was born in Lahore on 12th February, which makes her an Aquarian. She believes that fate played its skillful hand in wooing her towards becoming a model. Her parent’s complete support made it a much easier and smoother path to success and stardom. Iffat has noticed a huge difference in nature, between the modeling world when she started out and was at her peak, and the modeling field now. Her opinion was clearly put across when she said to me, “honestly it has now deteriorated, as the element of nudity really bothers me”.
Iffat does however have some favorites among the local fashion designers with Umar Saeed at the top of her list. Iffat whole heartedly feels that “he is the best”. Internationally she likes D&G, Gucci, Hermes and LV as she is totally into bags and shoes. Having worked with many photographers in her time, Iffat insists that Ather Shahzad are the most professional in Pakistan and when I probed her further as to why she feels that way, she very matter-of-factly announced “You know why! They are the best in their field”. Iffat recalled that out of all the fashion shows she has witnessed in Pakistan, Neelofer Shahid’s first show was the most amazing one. She told me that “in those times it was an absolutely new concept to have fashion shows, and Neelofer being the classy lady that she is, really brought a bout of fresh air into the fashion scene”. Iffat personally hated doing live shows and preferred photo shoots to the catwalk. She has immense personal style from what she wears and how she wears it to her entire outward demeanor. Iffat’s fashion statement in her own words is “it’s not what you wear; it’s how you carry it”. She perceives and hopes her own image to be quite dignified in the media circle.
Iffat has made vital contributions to the entertainment industry and when she looks back she is most proud of her first production called ‘Iffat’s Fashion Magazine’. She explains that “I think my life is an example of how to maintain dignity in the field of fashion/modeling and bring with it respectability which has been a source of encouragement to lots of new people entering the arena”. This is what Iffat believes to be her biggest contribution to this field. She shrewdly advises girls that want to enter into modeling as a career, to “never compromise on values”.
Iffat met her husband through a mutual friend and theirs was a 100% love marriage. She proudly told me that the craziest thing she has ever done is “falling in love with the craziest man I have ever known”. When I hinted at her marriage maybe having something to do with the halt in her modeling career she quickly corrected me and said “no it was long before that”.
Besides modeling, this multi talented woman has acted, directed, compeered, produced and done set designing. She feels that the most fulfilling out of all the things she has tried her hand at, is acting. At present Iffat categorizes herself as a director and producer and her future plans include directing and producing a serial. She strongly believes that everything happens as a result of one’s destiny and one of the influences that mould her personality and creativity is the “continuous drive to do better”. Her inspirations include first and foremost her husband and then, “every successful woman out there”. She also very confidently and boldly claims to have no regrets in life so far.
While performing the difficult task of self analyzing herself, Iffat told me that she perceives having a strong character and honesty to be two of the major qualities in her personality. In criticism of herself she complained that the weakness in her character is her temper. However when she looks in the mirror she sees “a satisfied mother, a successful professional, a loving wife and an obedient daughter”. About her role as a mother she modestly says, “I am an ok mother because nothing is good enough for my little princess…I want to raise her so intelligently that she can ascertain right from wrong”. When I cautiously probed Iffat about whether she would support her daughter (Noor-e-Jehan) in the future, if she were to want to become a model, I was very pleased by her sensitive and loving answer “I would stay neutral. She will be making her own decisions in life. She is the apple of my eye….my strength….and my greatest weakness”. This showed me that Iffat is not only a competent professional but also an understanding, committed and reliable mother. She agrees that she has gained tremendous personal growth through life, “especially after becoming a mommy”.
You won’t see Iffat Rahim attending or mingling at ever party or get together that takes place courtesy of the big names in media. Socializing is of some significance to her, but only with her friends, those that are very important to her. As the topic of noble causes was touched upon, Iffat confides to me that she has not been able to do anything charitable on a big level, but on a personal level she tries to do her best. When I asked her about what the nature of her relationship with God is, she very persuasively answered “very good…..can’t you see that?”
Iffat is a petite woman who has always stayed slim, yet healthy. Surprisingly she does nothing to maintain her slender figure---“I don’t exercise regularly but because of my metabolism I stay thin. My diet principally comprises of vegetables but there is no specific diet I follow”. Yes, some people are just born lucky! She considers her best feature to be her face.
In an attempt to know Iffat better, for who she is from the inside, I asked her about some of her favorite things and boy does this lady have taste!
Her favorite:
Color: White
Cuisine: Thai
City: London
Car: VW Beetle
Music: All Kinds
Pet: Gypsy (my bitch)
Sport: Polo
Perfume: Gucci Rush
Book: One Hundred Years Of Solitude by Garcia.
Recently, Iffat has starred in Strings’ latest video, for their song ‘Kahani Mohabbat Kee’. Her performance was well done and well choreographed. I feel that she expressed, with great conviction, the pain inherent in her character’s life. The video has become a hit and was directed by well known and accomplished director Umar Anwar. I asked Iffat what made her want to do the video and how she got the part. This is what she had to say: “I did it because Strings are my favorite local band. I was offered the part and I was told that they had me in mind for the part so I decided to do it pro bono. Yes, I enjoyed it, although later I missed the New Year party back home and got hell from my hubby”.
It was my pleasure to interview a dynamic woman who had the courage to enter a field that was at one time looked down upon in Pakistan, and who made her place and mark as one of the top models of this country. She helped transform the image of modeling into that of a dignified career for girls to follow. She paved the way for them. Iffat’s way of thinking comes across to me as a very balanced blend of ‘daring’ and ‘conservative’ at the same time. She continues to strive to do more and I wish her the best of luck. I will end my article on Iffat Rahim with her favorite quote “what will be, will be”.
By: Fariha Rashed.
Frieha Altaf-Unvelied!
FRIEHA ALTAF-UNVEILED!
COVER STORY----INFLUENCE LIFESTYLES (ILS)
SPRING/SUMMER 2005, ISSUE 2
By: Fariha Rashed
I had been eagerly anticipating taking this interview for days now! I mean here was a woman that took the world in the palm of her hands and everything she touched or tried her hand at turned into gold and ultimately became a blazing success. I wanted to meet this most empowering yet enigmatic woman face to face in hope of absorbing some of her energy, passion, creativity and strength. I was a little nervous, not knowing what kind of a welcome or reaction I would get from her. I wanted to come across as professional a free lance writer, as I could to her, because whoever had the revelation that ‘your first impression is your last impression’ must have tested this theory to the letter! So here I was, making my way through the long almost endless looking corridor of the Pearl Continental Hotel at Lahore. As I reached the escalator I made a quick check to see if I had everything…recorder, questionnaire, pen, my nerves…YUP…all there! I made my way to the Crystal Hall where we were to meet and as I approached it I could see her through the open door, sitting on a rather odd looking couch, chatting away on her mobile, dressed in beige jeans and a top, her long streaked hair cascading dramatically over her shoulders. She looked like an angel. I moved towards her with I dare say too wide a grin on my face and she waved at me with a warm smile on her face and made a gesture implying that I should take a seat while she wrapped up her conversation on the phone. As I sat down I watched her closely and was astonished that a woman with such a petite frame had such an overpowering character and demeanor. Lost in thought, suddenly I realized that she was staring at me and her lips were moving. I zapped myself out of my daze as I realized she was addressing me. We introduced ourselves to each other and she suddenly said ‘I need to go to the washroom, so we can finish our introduction there’. My god, I was going to the loo with Frieha Altaf! For people reading this who don’t understand my excitement I must tell you that for women going to the washroom together is a sign of ultimate bonding! Anyway, once we returned to the hall the interview began with the sound of the ‘click’ on my recorder.
Following is the unedited interview with Frieha Altaf. I have not rearranged any of her answers or tried to organize them in any way as I believe in putting forward an authentic piece of writing so that justice can be done to the interviewee’s story. I have also added in brackets the kind of facial expressions and body language she was expressing whilst answering, so as to give the reader a better idea of her reactions and a more intimate understanding of her personality. Everything is at it was and as she said it. I like to call this interview my unveiling of Frieha Altaf.
How do you perceive your own image to be, in the media world?
(a little confused) I don’t know. Read what people say about me. I think people have a great perception of me though. I have been called everything from a fashion icon to the godmother.
What do you feel has been your biggest contribution to the entertainment industry?
(sits back and sinks into the couch to relax) I think I still have miles to go. I’ve been in the field of fashion and TV for the past 19 years. The hardest time was when I started out because of the negative image of models. All my friends said ‘what are you doing, standing with your legs open?’ and ‘your pictures are plastered all over the pan shops’. One was dealing with an elite, educated class who were your friends who thought this was not a done thing. It’s very hard to come into something when you have that kind of opposition from everywhere and u do it just because you believe in something and have that conviction. That is the hardest part and I think that is my biggest contribution---doing something I believe in against all odds. Now it’s very easy to do whatever you please. Now you’re an icon and people want to be you. Young girls look at the magazines and say I want to be Vinny or Irage, and I get that too now. Girls come and tell me we used to look at the magazines and want to be you. The rest of the people used to think ‘she’s easy because she’s a model’. They don’t care. I have an education. I went to study in America for four years.
What made you want to get into modeling? What attracted you to this field?
(looks at the ceiling, as if reminiscing) I wasn’t attracted to this field at all actually. I wanted to be a painter and my education was in art. I was at an art gallery and Saira Shah the Editor of Newsline came up to me and said ‘do you want to model?’ I said ‘sure’ because my sister was doing it (whose married), and my brother in law was doing it and my brother was modeling too. So I didn’t think there was anything wrong with it. Every woman likes to have nice pictures of herself, so that was the first attraction. Plus (with a shrug) you get to wear pretty clothes and feel happy about yourself.
What difference do you see in the modeling world now from when you started out?
When we used to model, first of all we didn’t do it for money. We did it for fun. We also did it because what we were doing at that time was so new and fresh. It was very unique and there was an excitement about it. I used to do my own make up for most of my shoots. Sometimes they would send me to Tariq or Nabeela who were starting out. It was completely breaking grounds at that time and the biggest difference between then and now is that people had passion and vision back then. People acted as professionals. I mean you were on time, you tried to never work for trashy magazines or do trashy work (at least that’s true for me). There weren’t that many magazines. I did the first Fashion Collection cover. I only did three covers because I was just very picky about my work---which designer I wanted to work with, which make up artist, which photographer etc. I wasn’t just going to get up and do anything. I did commercials and a Haseena Moin play. I wanted to do a Gul Ahmed add because it was a big dream at that time. I only did products like Sunsilk and 7 or 8 commercials. This I did for the money because I wanted to make sure that whatever I did had some kind of value to it. Now things have totally changed. There are ‘pan masala’ ads which I would never be seen in. First of all I don’t eat ‘pan masal’ (giggling) and its just degrading. I would also never wear something that is badly cut, badly stitched or badly designed and end up looking like a Christmas Tree. I wouldn’t do it because it’s not me and I don’t have to do it. Besides its bad fashion and trust me there’s a lot of bad fashion, bad magazines, bad make up artists and bad models out there now. There were models that did bad shoots and ads back then as well but one just did not associate with them or do what they did because it was important to keep one’s reputation intact.
What is your ‘fashion statement’?
I actually don’t give a shit what anyone thinks. I also don’t like to stick to one thing. I’m wearing beige and brown today which isn’t very common because I like color. I have worn the brightest pink lipstick, and my friends Tariq and Deepak say ‘this lipstick should be named after you because its completely you’. So I don’t follow a particular fashion per say. I have a lot of vintage clothes, I buy second hand things from Sunday Bazaar. I love that kind of stuff and I have like a very old car and very old furniture. I like very old buildings too. I am basically very vintage-oriented and I think that’s very unique. New things you can just go buy off the rack and you end up looking like everyone else. I also think we live in that culture…we live in a clone culture where we see something in a magazine and everybody has to have it.
Who colored your hair?
(carefully runs her fingers through hair as if feeling them for the first time) I have colored my hair at least twelve times since last year. Humayun was actually the one who started it and no one else touches my hair but him.
Which are your favorite local and international designers and why?
(pensive) That’s very difficult to say because I like so many and will not stick to one designer and go to him to just pick out one thing. I’ll buy things from different people and I certainly don’t have time to stitch clothes myself. If I come across something in a show or a shoot or if I’m going to a party and have nothing to wear then I just head out to the people I know who I can just call up and say ‘give me something to wear’. I have everything from designers like (begins counting on her fingers) Sana Safinaz to Rizwan beig and Maheen to Body Focus, Nomi Ansari, Deepak Parvani, Omer Syed, Faiza Sami…everyone. I used to wear a lot of Generation when I was growing up and was in one of their ads. I used to wear Neepunhal too. I am now wearing less Pakistani clothes and more Western attire. I have to move around a lot now between countries as well and so it’s easier to wear western clothes. Furthermore I was abroad for a long time and was in a retail merchandising business in Canada and had free access to clothes from there. I had a great wardrobe because of that experience. I also do a lot of my shopping from Sunday Bazaar. I have a Paco Roban dress from there which I got for a hundred rupees. I also got a lot of vintage bags and jewellery there. I think it’s really boring to limit yourself even when it comes to liking international designers but I like Tom Ford, Hussein Chalayan, and I love Galliano.
Out of all the fashion shows that you have witnessed in Pakistan, which one was your favorite and why? I only remember my own. I make it a point not to go and see other’s fashion shows (does not elaborate).
What made you come up with CatWalk Productions?
I had to go back to America and I had no money. I was working in an advertising agency and I was a model making Rs.5000. I was 25 years old. I had been in advertising for three years and was doing television plays, theatre and just about everything. I wanted to try everything. I had a situation where I had to get a Canadian passport and it was costing 2 lac rupees which I did not have. I spoke to a few of my friends and a friend Sheherzad Hashwani said ‘why don’t you do a show? Get it sponsored and sell the thickets’. It was 1989 and there were no good shows so Maheen said to me ‘let’s do a proper show with really nice invitations and event management…the works’ so I agreed. The first thing I did was come up with a concept and went looking for technical people and there weren’t any unfortunately. There were the Veerzada brothers in Karachi at that time so I got them to do the lights and sound. Tapu who wasn’t even a photographer at that time and just a good friend from school had a ‘khazana’ of good music so I got the music from him and found an architect friend of mine who I got to design the set. I did things very professionally and differently so that it wasn’t an everyday show. I think we sold 500 copies of just the cassettes with the music of our show. I got Tariq to do the hair and make up. This event was the stepping stone for me as it had event management, choreography and modeling in it. It was during the Zia-ul-Haq regime so one had to be really careful and we couldn’t even call it a fashion show. We called it a cultural show. After this I started getting offers from companies and Unilever was one of my sponsors. They loved the show and said they wanted me to do more stuff for them. I then started doing conferences, tableaus, theatre, dance etc. There was no creativity at that time and agencies used to handle their client’s events. Unfortunately they never had any creative ideas and worked with bad sets and backdrops. This is when I started working on CatWalk Productions. Modelling was nice but it was not to make money. Suddenly I discovered a way of making money with this project and I said to myself….hmmmmmmm…I can even buy a car and have an AC in that car if I keep going this way! I didn’t ever have any of that. I had an education as a painter and how much money can u make off that? I was telling Nasreen (my manager for Cat Walk) I used to do very selective shows. I have done/organised Sana Safinaz’s first show, Maheen’s first show, Faiza Sami’s first show, Nomi Ansari’s first show, Karma’s first show, Shumail’s first show, Shayan’s first show…a lot of first shows! I used to paint and sculpt for three weeks and then I would do one show. I wanted to be an artist but now I don’t do it anymore because I don’t get time. I was a top student when I graduated and I wanted to do my masters in art and become a professor and teach. For three years after I graduated I kept trying to get scholarships to go abroad and do my masters in art.
Has there been any personal growth?
(crosses one leg over the other) I had a lot of personal growth. I was a little ‘chit’ of a girl at 25 who could have made a lot of money modeling but I wanted to do something more. It was very exciting because there were all these people around you that were just starting out and growing---like Nabeela’s, Tapu Javeri, Arif Mehmood, Ather Shahzad, Nilofer Shahid etc. You were seeing all these young people with energy and passion who wanted to do so much. I also did the first Junoon video of ‘Heer’. We used to wake up at 3 in the morning to go to some farm for the shoot and I did everything for free because they were friends. I also did the first concert for Vital Signs in Karachi and sold 150 tickets for them at the Marriott. Kuchi Muneera’s husband is a real music fan and he’s a friend of mine from school so I took him to the concert. I went shopping with them to Zainab Market and bought them these long coats. It was so exciting because it was just all happening! Its fun now too but back then the beauty was that everything was new. If I wanted to do a show at a train station no one had ever done it. Nobody had done a venue show. I picked up Hindu Gymkhana which was lying covered with ‘jharis’ and nobody even knew it existed. I used to pass by and think to myself--it’s a beautiful building. I went to the gymkhana and got the permission, got an architect…the same architect that did Maheen’s show and he got really excited because no one looks after heritage here. We got the ‘jharis’ cut, got it painted, and got it going again! When people came they were astonished! The press took pictures of it and wrote about it the next day and said it is a beautiful building that must be taken care of. No one had ever seen a building lit up that way. My next project is a film. If anyone comes up to me for something it’s very hard for me to say no to them. Ali Zafar came to me two days before the ‘Rungeen’ video and said ‘I don’t have the models, the money or the clothes and this is the concept so what should I do?’ Literally within three hours we had casted for the video, I got the clothes from the shop that opened at 11 the next morning…I got the uniform that Sadaf Pervaiz had to wear, took out my old glasses which I gave her and we got all the stuff from here and there and put it together! Then people appreciate your work and that makes it worth it! ‘Khamaj’ the video for example was something I never got paid for, but Sakib Malik was a really good friend of mine and it was just so exciting to do something like that. I convinced Shaan first of all to do the part, at 3 in the morning at Yousaf’s ‘Haveli’. He had not even heard of Fuzon or there their music so we put there songs on and made him listen to them. I also had to convince Sakib Malik to do the video because he had never done one before this (‘Khamaj’ was my favorite song on the CD). We chose the clothes, location and everything together and worked on it.
What do you at present categorize yourself as doing?
I can’t categorize myself as doing a particular thing. Imran Aslam my friend, calls me ‘Impresario’—someone who just picks up on anything creative and does it. Half the time I’m doing stuff (for example commercials) and you don’t even know I’m doing those things. I cast, pick the location, get the permission, etc. I have done television production too.
When you look back, what are you most proud of?
Everything I have done and accomplished to date…and my kids!
‘Instep’ was a major tool for bringing fashion and fashion shoots to the forefront. It was well planned and visually appealing. What was your objective when you initiated this?
I like getting involved in something that anyone is doing that is worth while. I appreciate it and then I myself feel worth while. I combined Lux Style Kee Duniya (first magazine program on TV) and Instep. I did a lot of out door shoots and I don’t like doing very common shoots. II also do a lot of shoots when I go abroad like I have just come back from Jordan and did a shoot there. You need change of scenery, and models. You take their clothes or your own and just work with it. I did Lux Style Awards when I came back from Canada. Unilever was pushing me to do it because there was a need for it. Then I got married (second time—first time was in 1988) and took off in 1995. Left for five years, had my kids and went back to school and got my Fashion Designing Diploma. I started working at ‘Barbizon’ which is a model training school and I was an instructor there. I also joined ‘Dynamite’ which is merchandising company and a big chain. My father died and my husband and I got separated. I was living there on my own and the eventually I moved back to Pakistan.
Are there any regrets in life?
None. You can’t have regrets because you end up becoming bitter and hateful. I love life and it’s very special.
Favorite:
Color: Pink
Cuisine: Nihari, Sheermal, Payi, Salan…anything desi because I love it, especially eating with my hands. I like sushi.
City: I love the water..I skie, scuba dive, so a lot of my holidays are in beach places. I love history too so wherever history and the beach are in one place…that’s paradise. I love Mexico. Love going to places where I can go to temples. I love Venice, Paris and New York. I don’t like London. I love Pakistan, like India and a lot of the developing countries. Don’t like America, especially North America. I like Europe better because it has got more culture, buildings, and museums etc.
Cars: Antique cars.
Music: All kinds of good music.
Pet: I have a cat, two dogs called Brownie and Oreo. I have birds and had a rabbit but gave it away.
Sport: I’m a cricket fanatic and write on the sport for publications. I also love tennis, soccer and when I was in Canada I really got into basketball and the whole Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan scene.
Are you involved in any charitable work? What kind?
(laughs) Everything in the beginning was charitable work and nothing else. I needed charity myself because of it. But seriously I have done a lot. So many shows used to happen just for charity. Some of my best shows were for Kidney Centre, for example the train station show which was one of my favorite shows. The models came on a steam engine which we got from Sakkhar. It was actually done at a train station and people loved it. Shumail was the fabulous designer who is one of a kind. I have also done a show at a Casino, and I just did a show last Friday where I had four cars coming on stage which models were driving and getting on and off from. The models enjoy it too.
What influences mould your personality and creativity? I would be dead tired after working all day but still I would go and hang out with friends. My friends influence and mould my personality a lot as does my work. It’s all about creative juices flowing all the time.
Do you socialize a lot and how important is that to you? I love partying and have never said that I don’t like it. There’s nothing wrong with it and I have always loved dancing, and meeting people, going out, seeing different places, and a lot of the time when I come to Lahore I stay at the ‘Haveli’. I don’t like hotels.
Tell us about your children.
(with pride) My kids go to school. My son Turhan is very sporty and he’s 8 and my daughter Pareeshey is like me, very creative. She has done seven shows already (modeling) and is completely into dressing up. She’s been doing ‘Baharat Nateeyam’ for the last three years as well as classical singing. My son is doing Karate and cricket. They are both very different from each other. I love kids. One of the reasons I got married was to have kids.
When did you get married and was it a love marriage? I have been married twice and both times it did not work out. Both times it was a love marriage.
Do you believe it is better to have a love marriage or an arranged marriage? Why? I think whatever works. My sister had an arranged marriage and is really happily married. My love marriage didn’t work.
What qualities do you see in yourself?
I think I’m hard working, passionate, organized, creative, and honest and I try to be a good human being. I think I’m a good mother and a good, loyal friend.
What weaknesses do you see in yourself?
(with a sly smirk) My short temper.
What kind of a relationship do you have with God? (after a long, pensive pause) I am not a fanatic. I am spiritual and have my own relationship with god.
Do you believe everything that happens to people has to do with luck or destiny?
I think it has to do with both and it has to do with hard work too. I have been very lucky with everything I have done.
What do you do to keep fit? What kind of a diet do you follow?
I work out and go to gym when I have the time. I watch my diet.
If you could spend one whole day being someone other than Frieha Altaf, who would you be and what would you do?
(with utmost certainty and conviction) I would want to be Michael Angelo. That’s what I always wanted to be…an artist. That’s what my education was. When I used to sculpt I used to forget everything. I would be at it for three days, no food, no sleep no rest. Being an artist is the most amazing thing. It’s completely opposite to this line of work. There is no stress. I would put on Mehdi Hassan and listen to him for hours and my parents would get sick of me. I would just totally get lost in my art. It was graduation day and I had a life size sculpture to finish…everyone was partying and I was in a studio working. Awards were being given out and I ran to that place with plaster all over my hands and face in my shalwar kameez and shawl, got my award and headed straight back to my studio to work. That’s how obsessed I was.
You have accomplished a lot career wise. What do you want to do next? What is the next endeavor? I want to do a movie, go back to school, learn film making and dance choreography. I want to raise good children and give them more time. I feel that as a single parent I’m very busy although I’m very lucky that my mother is there to help me.
If your daughter would want to become a model, would you encourage her?
(with a shocked expression) My daughter IS a model honey! She has done 7 shows. She has already done commercials like SafeGuard and she is only 7! My son has modeled too. My daughter sings and dances as well and tells me she’s JLo (Jennifer Lopez). She hates the ‘Sa Re Ga Ma’ because she does not understand it yet. I really wanted to learn ‘Katthak’ but my parents did not allow me to when I was younger. So I said to myself, when I have a daughter I will make sure she learns it and she absolutely loves it.
What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
(with a naughty laugh and one eyebrow in the air) Hehehe…can’t tell you that! I have done so many crazy things and am doing them all the time!!
What do you consider to be your best feature (physically)?
(Turns to her Manager) What is my best feature? My dimples…because they are my identity…. and my hair! I like my skin color too. I like to tan myself and I like my cheek bones.
Finally…..your favorite quote?
(with a huge grin and her hand extended outward) “Ham Jalain….Duniya Jalai”.
As the interview came to a close I almost felt sad that she would not speak further about herself, her life and her amazing accomplishments, as I had been listening intently and in complete awe. I felt that I had managed to know Frieha Altaf in a much better capacity not just as an icon or a celebrity, but for the person she is from inside. She is truly ‘all woman’ and an inspiration to all those young girls that want to come into this field. She is proof that with hard work, dedication, and most of all belief in oneself and one’s goals the world is a ray of unending opportunities. Through this one meeting she has already managed to teach me to seize the moment, stay focused and be as creative as possible in my every endeavor. I couldn’t help thinking to myself as Frieha and I said our goodbyes, that this woman had not wasted a second of her life. She is like an engine that just keeps going and never runs out of fuel. I can safely claim that she is truly one of the most captivating and inspiring people I have ever met, and a gem of a person with a charming personality. We can only imagine how many more things Frieha will have done by next year and I would gladly meet her again at that time to hear about her expeditious life!
Date of Birth: 20th April.
Star: Virgo
COVER STORY----INFLUENCE LIFESTYLES (ILS)
SPRING/SUMMER 2005, ISSUE 2
By: Fariha Rashed
I had been eagerly anticipating taking this interview for days now! I mean here was a woman that took the world in the palm of her hands and everything she touched or tried her hand at turned into gold and ultimately became a blazing success. I wanted to meet this most empowering yet enigmatic woman face to face in hope of absorbing some of her energy, passion, creativity and strength. I was a little nervous, not knowing what kind of a welcome or reaction I would get from her. I wanted to come across as professional a free lance writer, as I could to her, because whoever had the revelation that ‘your first impression is your last impression’ must have tested this theory to the letter! So here I was, making my way through the long almost endless looking corridor of the Pearl Continental Hotel at Lahore. As I reached the escalator I made a quick check to see if I had everything…recorder, questionnaire, pen, my nerves…YUP…all there! I made my way to the Crystal Hall where we were to meet and as I approached it I could see her through the open door, sitting on a rather odd looking couch, chatting away on her mobile, dressed in beige jeans and a top, her long streaked hair cascading dramatically over her shoulders. She looked like an angel. I moved towards her with I dare say too wide a grin on my face and she waved at me with a warm smile on her face and made a gesture implying that I should take a seat while she wrapped up her conversation on the phone. As I sat down I watched her closely and was astonished that a woman with such a petite frame had such an overpowering character and demeanor. Lost in thought, suddenly I realized that she was staring at me and her lips were moving. I zapped myself out of my daze as I realized she was addressing me. We introduced ourselves to each other and she suddenly said ‘I need to go to the washroom, so we can finish our introduction there’. My god, I was going to the loo with Frieha Altaf! For people reading this who don’t understand my excitement I must tell you that for women going to the washroom together is a sign of ultimate bonding! Anyway, once we returned to the hall the interview began with the sound of the ‘click’ on my recorder.
Following is the unedited interview with Frieha Altaf. I have not rearranged any of her answers or tried to organize them in any way as I believe in putting forward an authentic piece of writing so that justice can be done to the interviewee’s story. I have also added in brackets the kind of facial expressions and body language she was expressing whilst answering, so as to give the reader a better idea of her reactions and a more intimate understanding of her personality. Everything is at it was and as she said it. I like to call this interview my unveiling of Frieha Altaf.
How do you perceive your own image to be, in the media world?
(a little confused) I don’t know. Read what people say about me. I think people have a great perception of me though. I have been called everything from a fashion icon to the godmother.
What do you feel has been your biggest contribution to the entertainment industry?
(sits back and sinks into the couch to relax) I think I still have miles to go. I’ve been in the field of fashion and TV for the past 19 years. The hardest time was when I started out because of the negative image of models. All my friends said ‘what are you doing, standing with your legs open?’ and ‘your pictures are plastered all over the pan shops’. One was dealing with an elite, educated class who were your friends who thought this was not a done thing. It’s very hard to come into something when you have that kind of opposition from everywhere and u do it just because you believe in something and have that conviction. That is the hardest part and I think that is my biggest contribution---doing something I believe in against all odds. Now it’s very easy to do whatever you please. Now you’re an icon and people want to be you. Young girls look at the magazines and say I want to be Vinny or Irage, and I get that too now. Girls come and tell me we used to look at the magazines and want to be you. The rest of the people used to think ‘she’s easy because she’s a model’. They don’t care. I have an education. I went to study in America for four years.
What made you want to get into modeling? What attracted you to this field?
(looks at the ceiling, as if reminiscing) I wasn’t attracted to this field at all actually. I wanted to be a painter and my education was in art. I was at an art gallery and Saira Shah the Editor of Newsline came up to me and said ‘do you want to model?’ I said ‘sure’ because my sister was doing it (whose married), and my brother in law was doing it and my brother was modeling too. So I didn’t think there was anything wrong with it. Every woman likes to have nice pictures of herself, so that was the first attraction. Plus (with a shrug) you get to wear pretty clothes and feel happy about yourself.
What difference do you see in the modeling world now from when you started out?
When we used to model, first of all we didn’t do it for money. We did it for fun. We also did it because what we were doing at that time was so new and fresh. It was very unique and there was an excitement about it. I used to do my own make up for most of my shoots. Sometimes they would send me to Tariq or Nabeela who were starting out. It was completely breaking grounds at that time and the biggest difference between then and now is that people had passion and vision back then. People acted as professionals. I mean you were on time, you tried to never work for trashy magazines or do trashy work (at least that’s true for me). There weren’t that many magazines. I did the first Fashion Collection cover. I only did three covers because I was just very picky about my work---which designer I wanted to work with, which make up artist, which photographer etc. I wasn’t just going to get up and do anything. I did commercials and a Haseena Moin play. I wanted to do a Gul Ahmed add because it was a big dream at that time. I only did products like Sunsilk and 7 or 8 commercials. This I did for the money because I wanted to make sure that whatever I did had some kind of value to it. Now things have totally changed. There are ‘pan masala’ ads which I would never be seen in. First of all I don’t eat ‘pan masal’ (giggling) and its just degrading. I would also never wear something that is badly cut, badly stitched or badly designed and end up looking like a Christmas Tree. I wouldn’t do it because it’s not me and I don’t have to do it. Besides its bad fashion and trust me there’s a lot of bad fashion, bad magazines, bad make up artists and bad models out there now. There were models that did bad shoots and ads back then as well but one just did not associate with them or do what they did because it was important to keep one’s reputation intact.
What is your ‘fashion statement’?
I actually don’t give a shit what anyone thinks. I also don’t like to stick to one thing. I’m wearing beige and brown today which isn’t very common because I like color. I have worn the brightest pink lipstick, and my friends Tariq and Deepak say ‘this lipstick should be named after you because its completely you’. So I don’t follow a particular fashion per say. I have a lot of vintage clothes, I buy second hand things from Sunday Bazaar. I love that kind of stuff and I have like a very old car and very old furniture. I like very old buildings too. I am basically very vintage-oriented and I think that’s very unique. New things you can just go buy off the rack and you end up looking like everyone else. I also think we live in that culture…we live in a clone culture where we see something in a magazine and everybody has to have it.
Who colored your hair?
(carefully runs her fingers through hair as if feeling them for the first time) I have colored my hair at least twelve times since last year. Humayun was actually the one who started it and no one else touches my hair but him.
Which are your favorite local and international designers and why?
(pensive) That’s very difficult to say because I like so many and will not stick to one designer and go to him to just pick out one thing. I’ll buy things from different people and I certainly don’t have time to stitch clothes myself. If I come across something in a show or a shoot or if I’m going to a party and have nothing to wear then I just head out to the people I know who I can just call up and say ‘give me something to wear’. I have everything from designers like (begins counting on her fingers) Sana Safinaz to Rizwan beig and Maheen to Body Focus, Nomi Ansari, Deepak Parvani, Omer Syed, Faiza Sami…everyone. I used to wear a lot of Generation when I was growing up and was in one of their ads. I used to wear Neepunhal too. I am now wearing less Pakistani clothes and more Western attire. I have to move around a lot now between countries as well and so it’s easier to wear western clothes. Furthermore I was abroad for a long time and was in a retail merchandising business in Canada and had free access to clothes from there. I had a great wardrobe because of that experience. I also do a lot of my shopping from Sunday Bazaar. I have a Paco Roban dress from there which I got for a hundred rupees. I also got a lot of vintage bags and jewellery there. I think it’s really boring to limit yourself even when it comes to liking international designers but I like Tom Ford, Hussein Chalayan, and I love Galliano.
Out of all the fashion shows that you have witnessed in Pakistan, which one was your favorite and why? I only remember my own. I make it a point not to go and see other’s fashion shows (does not elaborate).
What made you come up with CatWalk Productions?
I had to go back to America and I had no money. I was working in an advertising agency and I was a model making Rs.5000. I was 25 years old. I had been in advertising for three years and was doing television plays, theatre and just about everything. I wanted to try everything. I had a situation where I had to get a Canadian passport and it was costing 2 lac rupees which I did not have. I spoke to a few of my friends and a friend Sheherzad Hashwani said ‘why don’t you do a show? Get it sponsored and sell the thickets’. It was 1989 and there were no good shows so Maheen said to me ‘let’s do a proper show with really nice invitations and event management…the works’ so I agreed. The first thing I did was come up with a concept and went looking for technical people and there weren’t any unfortunately. There were the Veerzada brothers in Karachi at that time so I got them to do the lights and sound. Tapu who wasn’t even a photographer at that time and just a good friend from school had a ‘khazana’ of good music so I got the music from him and found an architect friend of mine who I got to design the set. I did things very professionally and differently so that it wasn’t an everyday show. I think we sold 500 copies of just the cassettes with the music of our show. I got Tariq to do the hair and make up. This event was the stepping stone for me as it had event management, choreography and modeling in it. It was during the Zia-ul-Haq regime so one had to be really careful and we couldn’t even call it a fashion show. We called it a cultural show. After this I started getting offers from companies and Unilever was one of my sponsors. They loved the show and said they wanted me to do more stuff for them. I then started doing conferences, tableaus, theatre, dance etc. There was no creativity at that time and agencies used to handle their client’s events. Unfortunately they never had any creative ideas and worked with bad sets and backdrops. This is when I started working on CatWalk Productions. Modelling was nice but it was not to make money. Suddenly I discovered a way of making money with this project and I said to myself….hmmmmmmm…I can even buy a car and have an AC in that car if I keep going this way! I didn’t ever have any of that. I had an education as a painter and how much money can u make off that? I was telling Nasreen (my manager for Cat Walk) I used to do very selective shows. I have done/organised Sana Safinaz’s first show, Maheen’s first show, Faiza Sami’s first show, Nomi Ansari’s first show, Karma’s first show, Shumail’s first show, Shayan’s first show…a lot of first shows! I used to paint and sculpt for three weeks and then I would do one show. I wanted to be an artist but now I don’t do it anymore because I don’t get time. I was a top student when I graduated and I wanted to do my masters in art and become a professor and teach. For three years after I graduated I kept trying to get scholarships to go abroad and do my masters in art.
Has there been any personal growth?
(crosses one leg over the other) I had a lot of personal growth. I was a little ‘chit’ of a girl at 25 who could have made a lot of money modeling but I wanted to do something more. It was very exciting because there were all these people around you that were just starting out and growing---like Nabeela’s, Tapu Javeri, Arif Mehmood, Ather Shahzad, Nilofer Shahid etc. You were seeing all these young people with energy and passion who wanted to do so much. I also did the first Junoon video of ‘Heer’. We used to wake up at 3 in the morning to go to some farm for the shoot and I did everything for free because they were friends. I also did the first concert for Vital Signs in Karachi and sold 150 tickets for them at the Marriott. Kuchi Muneera’s husband is a real music fan and he’s a friend of mine from school so I took him to the concert. I went shopping with them to Zainab Market and bought them these long coats. It was so exciting because it was just all happening! Its fun now too but back then the beauty was that everything was new. If I wanted to do a show at a train station no one had ever done it. Nobody had done a venue show. I picked up Hindu Gymkhana which was lying covered with ‘jharis’ and nobody even knew it existed. I used to pass by and think to myself--it’s a beautiful building. I went to the gymkhana and got the permission, got an architect…the same architect that did Maheen’s show and he got really excited because no one looks after heritage here. We got the ‘jharis’ cut, got it painted, and got it going again! When people came they were astonished! The press took pictures of it and wrote about it the next day and said it is a beautiful building that must be taken care of. No one had ever seen a building lit up that way. My next project is a film. If anyone comes up to me for something it’s very hard for me to say no to them. Ali Zafar came to me two days before the ‘Rungeen’ video and said ‘I don’t have the models, the money or the clothes and this is the concept so what should I do?’ Literally within three hours we had casted for the video, I got the clothes from the shop that opened at 11 the next morning…I got the uniform that Sadaf Pervaiz had to wear, took out my old glasses which I gave her and we got all the stuff from here and there and put it together! Then people appreciate your work and that makes it worth it! ‘Khamaj’ the video for example was something I never got paid for, but Sakib Malik was a really good friend of mine and it was just so exciting to do something like that. I convinced Shaan first of all to do the part, at 3 in the morning at Yousaf’s ‘Haveli’. He had not even heard of Fuzon or there their music so we put there songs on and made him listen to them. I also had to convince Sakib Malik to do the video because he had never done one before this (‘Khamaj’ was my favorite song on the CD). We chose the clothes, location and everything together and worked on it.
What do you at present categorize yourself as doing?
I can’t categorize myself as doing a particular thing. Imran Aslam my friend, calls me ‘Impresario’—someone who just picks up on anything creative and does it. Half the time I’m doing stuff (for example commercials) and you don’t even know I’m doing those things. I cast, pick the location, get the permission, etc. I have done television production too.
When you look back, what are you most proud of?
Everything I have done and accomplished to date…and my kids!
‘Instep’ was a major tool for bringing fashion and fashion shoots to the forefront. It was well planned and visually appealing. What was your objective when you initiated this?
I like getting involved in something that anyone is doing that is worth while. I appreciate it and then I myself feel worth while. I combined Lux Style Kee Duniya (first magazine program on TV) and Instep. I did a lot of out door shoots and I don’t like doing very common shoots. II also do a lot of shoots when I go abroad like I have just come back from Jordan and did a shoot there. You need change of scenery, and models. You take their clothes or your own and just work with it. I did Lux Style Awards when I came back from Canada. Unilever was pushing me to do it because there was a need for it. Then I got married (second time—first time was in 1988) and took off in 1995. Left for five years, had my kids and went back to school and got my Fashion Designing Diploma. I started working at ‘Barbizon’ which is a model training school and I was an instructor there. I also joined ‘Dynamite’ which is merchandising company and a big chain. My father died and my husband and I got separated. I was living there on my own and the eventually I moved back to Pakistan.
Are there any regrets in life?
None. You can’t have regrets because you end up becoming bitter and hateful. I love life and it’s very special.
Favorite:
Color: Pink
Cuisine: Nihari, Sheermal, Payi, Salan…anything desi because I love it, especially eating with my hands. I like sushi.
City: I love the water..I skie, scuba dive, so a lot of my holidays are in beach places. I love history too so wherever history and the beach are in one place…that’s paradise. I love Mexico. Love going to places where I can go to temples. I love Venice, Paris and New York. I don’t like London. I love Pakistan, like India and a lot of the developing countries. Don’t like America, especially North America. I like Europe better because it has got more culture, buildings, and museums etc.
Cars: Antique cars.
Music: All kinds of good music.
Pet: I have a cat, two dogs called Brownie and Oreo. I have birds and had a rabbit but gave it away.
Sport: I’m a cricket fanatic and write on the sport for publications. I also love tennis, soccer and when I was in Canada I really got into basketball and the whole Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan scene.
Are you involved in any charitable work? What kind?
(laughs) Everything in the beginning was charitable work and nothing else. I needed charity myself because of it. But seriously I have done a lot. So many shows used to happen just for charity. Some of my best shows were for Kidney Centre, for example the train station show which was one of my favorite shows. The models came on a steam engine which we got from Sakkhar. It was actually done at a train station and people loved it. Shumail was the fabulous designer who is one of a kind. I have also done a show at a Casino, and I just did a show last Friday where I had four cars coming on stage which models were driving and getting on and off from. The models enjoy it too.
What influences mould your personality and creativity? I would be dead tired after working all day but still I would go and hang out with friends. My friends influence and mould my personality a lot as does my work. It’s all about creative juices flowing all the time.
Do you socialize a lot and how important is that to you? I love partying and have never said that I don’t like it. There’s nothing wrong with it and I have always loved dancing, and meeting people, going out, seeing different places, and a lot of the time when I come to Lahore I stay at the ‘Haveli’. I don’t like hotels.
Tell us about your children.
(with pride) My kids go to school. My son Turhan is very sporty and he’s 8 and my daughter Pareeshey is like me, very creative. She has done seven shows already (modeling) and is completely into dressing up. She’s been doing ‘Baharat Nateeyam’ for the last three years as well as classical singing. My son is doing Karate and cricket. They are both very different from each other. I love kids. One of the reasons I got married was to have kids.
When did you get married and was it a love marriage? I have been married twice and both times it did not work out. Both times it was a love marriage.
Do you believe it is better to have a love marriage or an arranged marriage? Why? I think whatever works. My sister had an arranged marriage and is really happily married. My love marriage didn’t work.
What qualities do you see in yourself?
I think I’m hard working, passionate, organized, creative, and honest and I try to be a good human being. I think I’m a good mother and a good, loyal friend.
What weaknesses do you see in yourself?
(with a sly smirk) My short temper.
What kind of a relationship do you have with God? (after a long, pensive pause) I am not a fanatic. I am spiritual and have my own relationship with god.
Do you believe everything that happens to people has to do with luck or destiny?
I think it has to do with both and it has to do with hard work too. I have been very lucky with everything I have done.
What do you do to keep fit? What kind of a diet do you follow?
I work out and go to gym when I have the time. I watch my diet.
If you could spend one whole day being someone other than Frieha Altaf, who would you be and what would you do?
(with utmost certainty and conviction) I would want to be Michael Angelo. That’s what I always wanted to be…an artist. That’s what my education was. When I used to sculpt I used to forget everything. I would be at it for three days, no food, no sleep no rest. Being an artist is the most amazing thing. It’s completely opposite to this line of work. There is no stress. I would put on Mehdi Hassan and listen to him for hours and my parents would get sick of me. I would just totally get lost in my art. It was graduation day and I had a life size sculpture to finish…everyone was partying and I was in a studio working. Awards were being given out and I ran to that place with plaster all over my hands and face in my shalwar kameez and shawl, got my award and headed straight back to my studio to work. That’s how obsessed I was.
You have accomplished a lot career wise. What do you want to do next? What is the next endeavor? I want to do a movie, go back to school, learn film making and dance choreography. I want to raise good children and give them more time. I feel that as a single parent I’m very busy although I’m very lucky that my mother is there to help me.
If your daughter would want to become a model, would you encourage her?
(with a shocked expression) My daughter IS a model honey! She has done 7 shows. She has already done commercials like SafeGuard and she is only 7! My son has modeled too. My daughter sings and dances as well and tells me she’s JLo (Jennifer Lopez). She hates the ‘Sa Re Ga Ma’ because she does not understand it yet. I really wanted to learn ‘Katthak’ but my parents did not allow me to when I was younger. So I said to myself, when I have a daughter I will make sure she learns it and she absolutely loves it.
What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
(with a naughty laugh and one eyebrow in the air) Hehehe…can’t tell you that! I have done so many crazy things and am doing them all the time!!
What do you consider to be your best feature (physically)?
(Turns to her Manager) What is my best feature? My dimples…because they are my identity…. and my hair! I like my skin color too. I like to tan myself and I like my cheek bones.
Finally…..your favorite quote?
(with a huge grin and her hand extended outward) “Ham Jalain….Duniya Jalai”.
As the interview came to a close I almost felt sad that she would not speak further about herself, her life and her amazing accomplishments, as I had been listening intently and in complete awe. I felt that I had managed to know Frieha Altaf in a much better capacity not just as an icon or a celebrity, but for the person she is from inside. She is truly ‘all woman’ and an inspiration to all those young girls that want to come into this field. She is proof that with hard work, dedication, and most of all belief in oneself and one’s goals the world is a ray of unending opportunities. Through this one meeting she has already managed to teach me to seize the moment, stay focused and be as creative as possible in my every endeavor. I couldn’t help thinking to myself as Frieha and I said our goodbyes, that this woman had not wasted a second of her life. She is like an engine that just keeps going and never runs out of fuel. I can safely claim that she is truly one of the most captivating and inspiring people I have ever met, and a gem of a person with a charming personality. We can only imagine how many more things Frieha will have done by next year and I would gladly meet her again at that time to hear about her expeditious life!
Date of Birth: 20th April.
Star: Virgo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)