"Indians are nothing like us, they are a loud nation and that translates into their designing. Even the loudest amongst us would seem mellow compared to them and that's huge enough a difference. Our design inspirations cannot come from India, they don't understand what intricacy is. Besides Bollywood rules almost everything in that country and there fashion also comes under it. Yes, the kind of dresses we wear are quite similar but, call me biased but we have more style."

So was the journey easy? "People to this day think designers are darzis and I feel that might take a lot more time to change. I didn't face a lot of difficulties from my family. Initially they were a little unwilling, but after they saw how passionate I was about it, they were very supportive and that's been of a lot of help," sums up Anisa who made it to PSFD (Pakistan School of Fashion Design) but transferred to AIFD (Asian Institute of Fashion Design) because of personal reasons.

To her the two schools don't have much difference. She feels if PSFD has foreign qualified staff AIFD too has very dedicated teachers, who help you want to become the best. Although she has high regards for her instructors, she feels she isn't moved by any designer in the fashion industry. "Most of them have been very supportive, especially Maheen Khan, who is hard to please and very good at her job. Initially I was apprehensive about meeting the fashion gurus of the country, but all of them have been great."
So who is it that truly inspires this talented new designer of Labels?

"My inspirations come from Stella McCartney, it was her fashion show that I saw and decided that I have to be someone like that," says Anisa. "Other than her Valentino and Chloe are my favourites. As a businessman, it has to Ralph Lauren, the man expanded his empire to no limits. From making just a polo shirt he now has everything under the sun. That is inspiring and I hope to expand to that level some day. Right now is too early," she adds quickly. Here's a fashion designer who is aware of where she wants to be and what precisely is required to get there. Her start as the designer for Labels is a step in the right direction and she knows where to take not just herself from there but the label she is working under.
The design philosophy of Labels is very similar to what Anisa Khan wants to design, that is urban, trendy pret for the working woman. To say it is a match made in heaven won't be wrong. She wants to expand to menswear too eventually without giving up on quality. "We started off making tunics when no one in the country was doing it and they sold like hot cakes," Anisa informs as she gets all excited, thinking about the way she felt when her stuff got sold. "It feels great, one feels appreciated. It's been that way ever since then and I enjoy it."

Anisa is aware of the strength of bridal wear and its need but doesn't want to get into it. She doesn't want to be another one to get lost in the crowd. She seems to be the kind of person who has little interest in bridals or the heavily embellished evening wear.

"Ultimately I have myself in mind when I design and if there is something that I wouldn't like to wear myself I wouldn't make that," explains Anisa. She is a part of a new generation of designers who are rethinking the bridal formula for fashion success and a platform like Labels has enabled her to do that.
Zahir Rahimtoola, thinks the rough patch that Labels saw few years back can be easily erased from people's memory. "We wanted somebody who didn't believe in bridal concepts. If you look at all the fashion design graduates you will notice that all of them are busy trying to be the HSYs and Sana Safinazs. Anisa happens to be somebody who doesn't wants to play safe, she thinks out of the box. She is part of the team as if she always belonged here and is rightfully the queen of tunics," laughs the happy entrepreneur, who hired the fresh graduate on a gut feeling and hasn't been disappointed.

Anisa, though has no intentions of branching out as a fashion instructor, but feels if she ever teaches it would be the underprivileged kid. Not just that, this fresh designer is influenced by the political conditions in the country. Doing her bit as a fashion designer Anisa is hopeful of being part of the bright future of fashion that this country holds.