SINCE 2005THE DESIGNER
Maheen Karim was born in Karachi and obtained all of her secondary school education at the Karachi Grammar School. She is a graduate of the prestigious Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. After working with globally acclaimed fashion houses in the west she returned to Pakistan to start her own label in spring 2006.
Maheen has been awarded the respected Lux Style Award 2009 for achievement in Pret-a-Porter Design Pakistan, as well as the MTV Most Stylish Designer Award. Whilst still in its infancy this label had already seen immense success and soaring sales in prominent boutiques all over Pakistan, the UK and USA, the UAE as well as via exhibitions in Singapore.
She aims to use the spectacular raw materials and craftsmanship obtainable to her in Pakistan to its fullest promise in order to create garments of global appeal. Her passion to create trendy silhouettes and experiment with shape allows her to furnish the woman of 21st century Pakistan and abroad with a sanctuary where she is able find glamour and glitz in a garment without feeling the need to travel overseas in search of grandeur.
THE BRAND
MAHEENKARIM is a luxury wear label that is Pakistan’s first to specialise in women’s western and eastern evening wear. It focuses on the creation of eclectic luxury garments with the aide of novel cuts and a silhouette with universal charm.
Established in 2006 the label focuses on employing Pakistan’s immense talent and craftsmanship and transforming it into exquisite pieces of global appeal. In its infancy MAHEENKARIM received many an accolade in the industry of Fashion and has had the honour of dressing many celebrities locally and internationally for glitzy red carpet events. Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, Mahirah Khan, Aamna Shiekh, Reema Khan, Sohai Ali Abro, Sanam Jung and Urwa Hoccane are a few patrons of the brand.
The label prides in its immaculate precision in the hand embroidered craft of Aari and Zardozi…combining traditional techniques with present day fresh concepts is the label’s design philosophy. Pakistani heritage fused with contemporary ideas to develop a novel design which is in turn flawlessly finished to bring to you a variety of tasteful and stylishly elegant works of art.
Design school groomed me to be a creator, to draw without any inhibitions and attempt to bring to life what I penned down in my sketches. Technical expertise was at hand and the sky was the limit. My degree course comprised of four academic years out of which one required practical training and work experience at an already established fashion house. I was fortunately selected by internationally acclaimed greats the likes of Hussein Chalayan (who that very year won himself the accolade of “Best Designer”), Julien Macdonald, Giorgio Armani and Vivienne Westwood.
My work experience at these long established household names taught me the ins and outs of designing in the real world. How to sift my creativity and channel it in order to provide the potential customer, who may not have as astute a design sense, with a garment or ensemble that boosts his or her confidence and allows them to feel better about themselves and feel special. I was involved in garment construction for international showcases like London Fashion Week, Moscow Fashion Week and Eye to Eye. In addition to this I was also made responsible for collating buyers’ orders and delegating to production units following the shows including Public Relations and Press events.