Chic Panache
In a megalopolitan city like Dhaka, it is often difficult to carve out a niche for oneself. However, that is exactly what Sahar Rahman has been able to achieve; standing out amongst the burgeoning mushrooms of boutique shops and designers.
Ask anybody who has been to her dainty little shop and they'd swear to have instantaneously fallen in love with the ever gorgeous pastel shades and the unique cuts of the shalwar kameezs.
Once inside, you are sure to meet two beautiful sisters, who are every bit chic and trendy themselves, conversing gleefully with the clientele; suggesting colours to silhouettes that would suit them best.
Yes, they are the ever famous Sahar Rahman herself and her sister Amana Rahman! With a top-notch, eclectic sense of styling, they'd easily be able to convince you to purchase the Anarkali you were so skeptical about! Not only that, they'd also show you how to own the look and flaunt it candidly.
"Styling comes very naturally to us" admits Sahar as we interview her. "Both of us sisters have grown up seeing our ultra-fashionable parents collecting accolades from friends and family for their outstanding sense of styling."
With innumerous designs on display at the boutique shop, there is not much one can do but wonder where all inspiration and creativity emerged from.
Sahar's face immediately beams up at the inquiry, "This is all natural for both of us! I designed my first kameez when I was only 12 and the rest of the narrative is history. All our friends and family kept on praising the designs we came up with over the years that followed. Thanks to them and their continuous support, we have been able to come so far; opening a store in the heart of the city and taking part in exclusive, international standard fashion shows".
Naturally we had to ask her what set Sahar Rahman's apart from the many other boutique shops of similar stature. "Our workmanship and colour palette is extremely unique. When the entire country was obsessed with bright colours, we introduced muted pastels like Ash Rose and Sea Green to them! Most of our patrons were skeptical at first, but then again, seeing our intricate designing, unique cuts and finesse in embroidery, they were convinced enough to realise that everybody could look good in pastels as well!," she remarked.
And how true she speaks! With a monumental colour palette ranging from shades like rosewood, watermelon, flamingo and taffy, she is sure to have the exact shade you desire. Sahar continues with our interview to reveal that the workmanship is purely local, while the fabric and few of the exclusive embellishments are sourced from abroad to maintain quality. "Once high quality fabrics are produced locally, I'd stop procuring from abroad. I am a proud deshi designer after all!" says Sahar.
If you thought this is where Sahar Rahman drew the curtains, then you couldn't be further from the truth because according to her, this was just the beginning. She had already extended her boutique line to include regular day wear and semi formals besides the couture line. That's not all, as her new line of designer khussaus are ethereal and matches perfectly with the couture collection.
"Lately, I have started a line of designer shoes, which I call Monroe's, only because I felt the shortage of it in Dhaka. This is a venture that I share with my best friend. Maybe, sometime in the future, we would work with bags too, and provide a complete collection for Sahar Rahman's clientele!" concedes Sahar.
Yes, we surely hope so too!
Till then, we keep our fingers crossed, donning gorgeous designs thought up by the brilliant couturier.
Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed
Model: Methila and Tania
Wardrobe: Sahar Rahman Clothing
Make-up: Amana Rahman-Bespoke Makeup Artistry
Styling: Sonia Yeasmin Isha
Location: Casa Deco