'I want to give everyone their own runway moment': Alina Anwar Khan

How do you typically start your workday?
I always start my day with a workout at the gym - it clears my mind and gives me energy for the rest of the day. I then head to my office to spend time with my team and work on my collection. I am always looking for inspiration, even on my journey to work - I always have my eyes open for things that grab my attention.
Describe your work in a sentence
Fashion design is my entire life - I live, breathe and dream design!
What is your favourite thing about your job?
My favourite part of being a designer is seeing women wear my dresses and feel beautiful. Being able to have a positive impact on someone's confidence and making them feel empowered is very rewarding indeed. I want to inspire women to have the confidence to make a statement and let their personality shine through. I want to give everyone their own runway moment.
What has been your most challenging experience to date and how did you
resolve it?
I have faced many challenges throughout my life, but I think that making mistakes is an important part of learning. No matter how many mistakes you make, as long you try again, there will always be a lesson learnt. Mistakes are part of a growth process; if you don't make mistakes, you will never learn or grow within your craft or as a person.
What advice would you give your younger self, if you could?
If I could give my younger self advice, it would be to trust my instincts and always follow my dreams. I am a firm believer that what is meant to be will be - so just enjoy the journey. I have never considered another profession, as I have always known that fashion design was my calling, so I would advise my younger self to be confident and know that with hard work and determination, everything will work out the way it is meant to.
How do you maintain a work:life balance?
I am a very family-oriented person so spending quality time with my family means everything to me. My family is my biggest support system and my mother is my greatest inspiration. Making sure I spend time with them on a regular basis makes me feel like my life is perfectly balanced.
Any advice for youngsters just getting into the professional arena?
I would advise everyone to follow their dreams and pursue things they are really passionate about. For other designers, I would say put time into perfecting your craft, practise as much as possible and never be afraid to try something and fail as these are lessons that will shape you for the future.
A person you think would make for a good role model - and why?
I have always taken inspiration from great Hollywood actresses, such as Jean Harlow and Grace Kelly, because of their elegance and class - they always played strong, independent characters who are also great role models for women.
What is your greatest dream, professionally?
For as long as I can remember, my dream has always been to design, so now that I am living that dream, I am simply looking to challenge myself to keep getting better and better with each collection and take my brand to the next level. I would love to be stocked in prestigious, international stores. I hope that will be a goal I am able to achieve soon.
- Staff Reporter