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Why Nabeel & Aqeel are fashion forward

Established in 1999 by designer brothers Nabeel and Aqeel Iftikhar Ahmad, the Nabeel & Aqeel brand name is already synonymous with quality, style and elegance in its home country of Pakistan, attracting a diverse clientele of socialites, celebrities and more; now the duo have ambitious plans to go international as well.
Nabeel and Aqeel Iftikhar dropped into the Khaleej Times office recently, to talk about the brand, how far it has come, and why they believe their artistic vision is unique.

What made you start the brand?
Nabeel: It was basically the lack of availability of fashion brands in our country; all through growing up and even in college, we were using and buying designer clothes, and we felt there was a lot of room to start something in this field. Aqeel: We have a multi-brand store and were retailing some of the top brands from the world, like Versace and Armani. Whenever we went abroad to order for our stores and we scrutinized international collections, we felt some things were missing. We wanted to incorporate those and make something new, according to our own needs.

So did you consciously introduce ethnic elements into your brand?
Nabeel: I would say that we created a mix of the ethnic and modern. One of our very famous collections was called the Pink Diamond collection - it was a mix of traditional and classic designs with modern cuts, and a sober element.
Aqeel: When we introduced our women's line back in 2000 - it was also a fusion of East and West. We have a very good eye for Western clothes thanks to our exposure through regular travelling and attending fashion shows and ordering, and we also have our own instinct of ethnic style influenced by our cultural values, we mixed both to come up with a fusion line.

How does the brand stand apart from the rest of the fashion houses in Pakistan?
Nabeel: The main difference between other local brands and us is that due to our exposure to international fashion we focus more on European styling and modern cuts that translate into elegance. Aqeel: The most important thing that differentiates us from other brands according to me is the design. We always come up with innovative designs. We don't follow fashion, we are the ones who set trends. For example when we introduced slim-fit pants, in Pakistan, people were not ready at first to adopt it, but gradually they did.

Do you have to compete with international brands?
Nabeel: Since the inception of our brand, the inner competition in the store, was with the brands that are some of the biggest in the world.  People like our brand because of the styling, quality and the fact that we offer our range at very affordable prices.
Aqeel: Making collections is not a big thing. The real challenge is making something unique and different, something which people will have in their wardrobes for years to come.

Is your fashion influenced by the film industry?
Aqeel: Yes, from the last few years, because our film industry is booming now and actors and actresses are paying attention to fashion. Due to globalisation and because of the Internet, accessing international fashion has become much easier. Now customers are looking not only at Bollywood and Lollywood but also Hollywood.
Nabeel: Some of the best actors in our country are wearing our brand and they hashtag it often. To name a few, Meera and Reema, Mikaal Zulfiqar.

Tell us about your perfume line.
Aqeel:  Designing perfumes is a totally different thing. It is involved with your senses, something you cannot see, but you can feel it - it's a special feeling and we are loving it. We come up with new fragrances every year. We launched our latest perfume last month called Shalimar 1642 which is inspired from the Grand Shalimar Gardens in Lahore, built in that year by a Mughal emperor. People want new stuff all the time. Especially perfumes, everyone is a customer.
Many firsts for Nabeel & Aqeel
* The first to launch designer eyewear in Pakistan
*The first to launch a perfume collection which consists of 11 different scents for men and women.
*First designers in Asia to have their own cigar collection, one from Cuba and one from the Dominican Republic.
"Since the inception of our brand, we have been trying to do unique things and take some bold steps and I guess this is why we have loyal customers," says Nabeel.
Message for KT readers:
Nabeel Ahmad:
I'd like to thank
Suhail Galadari, who invited us here and gave us this opportunity to meet you. My message for readers is to look at your dreams, try to work hard to achieve them. God is great; He has been kind. We are here with the prayers of our parents and family.
Aqeel: I would like to invite you to visit Pakistan - it's a very beautiful country, with lots of potential for business and we have a rich culture.
enid@khaleejtimes.com