Sania Maskatiya: an unusual name for a young designer just as unusually successful in a very short period of time. An Indus Valley School of Arts and Architecture graduate with a major in textiles and a family background in manufacturing garments, Maskatiya may have had technical support that gave her wings to fly, but her success is attributed more to her business acumen. The last one year has seen the rise of the Sania Maskatiya label: from the inauguration of a flagship store in Karachito widespread availability in mainstream fashion stores across Pakistan.

Another reason for Maskatiya’s popularity is her personal grace. She is appreciated for having an optimistic karma, a ‘can-do’ attitude that she shares with her brother Umair Tabani who is undoubtedly the backbone of the Sania Maskatiya enterprise. A qualified chartered accountant, he brings professionalism to an industry that has an unfortunate ‘get-by’, lackadaisical attitude towards everything. Together they operate the 150-member team that ensures seamless day to day running.

Grab the April issue of the Herald to read more about Sania, the person behind the brand and how a conservative clientele would wear designs with animal and bird imagery. – Text by the Aamna Haider Isani/the Herald, video by Dawn.com