The subcontinent is renowned for its historical richness, beautiful traditional outfits and outstanding cultural profile. Hence our fashion trends should mirror that opulence. Our craftsmanship is unparalleled and I want to keep it alive through my designs.
I am a painter at heart.
I don't recall how old I was when I started painting as it was during my early childhood days.
I paint the elaborations of miniatures and my primary areas of focus have been jewellery and drapery. To date, I have drawn nearly 400,000 designs on paper which are often reflected in my dresses. My repertoire continues to grow as I increasingly challenge myself to create new patterns and designs.
Sketching has been my childhood passion.
During my school years, I was fond of sketching images and patterns and I would regularly share my work with classmates. During free periods and lunch breaks, I used to sketch anything that caught my fancy and could spend hours on end, drawing graphics and images. To date, it remains my favourite pastime.
I left a full-fledged medical practice to pursue a career in designing.
I graduated in 1989 from Dow Medical College and went on to pursue a medical career in Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi. After working in the chest unit for three years, I laterally moved to the pharmaceutical industry as a senior research coordinator. During the seven years I spent in this department I conducted international research on insulin. Albeit on a very small scale, I had started designing clothes but the decision to abandon a successful medical practice to pursue a career of my choice was not well received by friends and family.
There were often harsh discouraging words coupled with prevailing apprehensiveness. But I felt confident because I knew I had made the right decision so I went ahead with it nonetheless.
Many years later today, I thank God for helping me make that decision as I have never been happier and more satisfied. My brand "Dr Ahmad Haroon" is my identity and reflects all my achievements and blessings to date.
I draw inspiration from the Indo-Pakistan cultural heritage.
Our amazing cultural detailing is an inspiration in itself. The traditional accessories such as jewellery, carpets, curtains, drapery, beautifiers and every bit of intricate work that adorn our cultural profile, acts as an inspiration. At times, the greatest of ideas crop up from the most common and mundane items.
Be it an ethnic woollen carpet, a silver napkin holder, a bronze brushed beautifier or a beaded bracelet my inspiration lies within the intricate detailing, designs and patterns of any traditional item.
I believe each bride is unique and her dress should mirror her personality.
Just like anywhere else in the world, bridal attires hold immense significance in the subcontinent as well. Every bride is different from the other, in terms of her personality and fashion preferences. The most important element is to focus on the bride's personality.
I do my best to make her outfit a memorable one and to try and reflect her personality in her dress.
Creativity means innovation; circulation of new ideas and formatting. It's a gift as one cannot develop a creative persona. It's similar to pouring out your innate feelings and emotions and channelising them towards a medium of expression, which is art and design in my case.
My wife has been my pillar of strength.
I'm blessed to have a very strong support system. My wife has played an important role in my life and continues to be a source of encouragement and strength. She is a painter by profession and her creative streak has been largely influenced by her parents. Her mother used to design outfits and her father Jamil Naqsh is a renowned Pakistani painter.
I am an observant person by nature.
I know the exact patterns and designs of objects and structures that are within my surroundings. I am observant to the extent that others feel uncomfortable around me at times. During my childhood I used to watch old Indian and Pakistani films and the very next day, sketch the designs of all the outfits and simultaneously paint them on paper.
Each bridal outfit is my canvas.
Every design, pattern and colour sequencing of my outfits bears witness to my imagination and creativity at work. I believe in traditional designs and hardly ever deviate from my style of work. Having said that, I do incorporate a lot of new ideas and fresher concepts in my outfits and also support - to a certain extent - the amalgamation of Western and Eastern cuts. But my heart belongs to the traditional style of craftsmanship.
I enjoy toying with traditional colours and patterns, incorporating Eastern cuts and stitches and re-creating the magic of yesteryears.
I believe destiny leads you to success if you're truly committed.
If you pursue a career of interest wholeheartedly and couple it with genuine hard work, you're likely to be successful. If you're passionate about what you do, you may falter but you will never fail. Follow your instincts and you won't go wrong!
- As told to Zainab Mansoor, a Dubai-based freelancer
(Dr Ahmad Haroon currently lives in Karachi. He can be contacted on ahmadharoon@ymail.com)
