Zahra Batool is a fashion designer and a founder of ZB Couture.
Zahra Batool Couture features hand-painted, made-to-order gowns for bridal and formal occasions. Each gown offers timeless and classic beauty through Zahra‘s intricately hand-painted motifs on luxury fabrics of the highest quality.
Every ZB gown starts with a concept inspired by nature. Zahra designs her floral motifs and then works for 30—40 hours rendering the motifs onto her fabric using the finest fabric paints and pencils.
After the fabric has been carefully pressed to set the paint, the seamstress works by hand and machine for 1-2 weeks, stitching the gown together until the fine details and the beauty of the gown’s silhouette are complete.
Can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your career journey?
I am a fashion designer & founder of ZB Couture. It wont be wrong if I say painting and designing was my childhood passion, while following my passion I graduated from the prestigious National College of Arts Lahore in Pakistan with the degree of bachelor in textile design. After graduation i had an inspiring nine-year career designing prints for leading international textile companies. After moving to New York in 2008 I pursued my dream of fusing my printed fabrics with elegant dress form through post—graduate study at the Fashion Institute of Technology. In 2018 i launched Zahra Batool Couture and in 2019 I created my first collection “Symphony of Rose’’ The gowns in this debut collection are inspired by the natural and symbolic beauty of the rose. Considered a sacred flower and a symbol of love and beauty, the rose is reflected in each gown’s expression of colors, textures, and hand-painted motifs.
When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career as a designer?
Since childhood I knew exactly what I wanted and I was lucky enough to pursue my dream career with the support and appreciation of my loving family.
If you could go back and tell yourself one thing before beginning your career what would it be?
I wish I could learn business management, it would have been a huge help.
How is working in fashion different today than from when you started out?
When I started off my career as designer, there were not that much competition and responsibilities involved. With the growth of technologies and social media, fashion has become much more fast and competitive!
What role do you think social media plays in fashion today?
These days social media plays a vital role in all industries, It has evolved fast & instant fashion! However its great platform for new and budding designers to share their ideas with the world. You can certainly make social connections with buyers and consumers, that really helps you grow.
What was your biggest fear when going out and starting your own line?
I had strong fear of plagiarism, but It could not stop me…
What is your favorite part about being a fashion designer?
I can play around with fabrics, textures & silhouettes. I can give people or my ideas a 3 dimensional look. Transformation from sketch to actual dress is pretty exciting for me.
How do you want women to feel when wearing your clothes?
ZB couture woman is classy, edgy, and confident. She certainly appreciates art, and wants to stand out in crowd!
There’s so much pressure for designers to come out with their greatest collection season after season. What advice would you give to young designers just starting out and hoping to make it in the industry?
I myself launched a year back and so far thinking to either make yearly collection or add pieces to existing collection. so it depend how aggressive you are and how much you want to grow and what kind of business you are in casual, formal, evening etc but if you has a vision you can certainly do one collection a year.
Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers, any advice?
Due to our daily life styles and choices are strongly impacting this planet. As a buyer, and consumer we have to be careful what we are buying, wearing and where it will end up going? We must support brands with voice of conscious and ethical fashion!
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Website: https://zbcouture.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zahrabatoolcouture/
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