{Q&A} Pavan Ahluwalia - The Worlds Fastest Henna Artist

No Asian wedding would be complete with of mendhi/henna. When i got married i had it all up my arms and feet! You could say i love henna.

So when i saw Asian Women magazine, with Alesha Dixon on the cover i was in awe of gorgeous mendhi and no wonder it was done by Pavan Ahluwalia who is the Guinness World Record Holder for being the fastest in her trade. In just one hour she painted a staggering 314 armbands – where each design had to be different from the other – beating the previous record by a mind-blowing 100 armbands. Now remember eastenders first ever Asian wedding, that's right she did the mendhi for it.

lets have a little one on one with her and see whats she has to say!

Pavan with ASIAN WOMEN cover girl Alesha Dixon

I started doing Mehndi because…. I used to love weddings and the henna night was always fun for me.  I loved having my henna done but it was a bit hit and miss.  Either I would like the design but the colour was not very good, or I didn’t like the design much and it seemed to come out extremely dark! So I thought why not try and get it right!

With all the magazine and TV  work, do you still do bridal mendhi? Yes this will always be something I work on.

What style of mendhi is your favorite?  The most popular at the moment is the traditional design with a western twist. I love this as it is very relevant to today’s bride, living in Britain but having the traditional culture.  I also match the designs to the brides outfit, and have matching colours of glitter and diamante.

What’s the most popular or requested design… The Shaadi Chic package a traditional mehndi package with a western twist.

My style is… to meet the bride’s requirements.  My personal style is to make the fashion element part of the henna.

With Preeya Kalidas on the set of eastenders

Brides having there mendhi done by me will.. Appreciate the personal service I offer.

My biggest achievement to date is…my Guinness World Record.

You probably won’t know this but…I always thought I would be in PR.

My next challenge will be…whatever opportunity knocks on my door.

What’s the next big thing you predict for brides.. I think the traditional work is coming back, although I think the diamantes will remain popular as it gives that life to the henna and adds that bit of bridal glamour?

Do you ever get star struck?  Yes all the time! But I try and keep my cool lol

Who has been your favorite star so far that you have worked with??  All of them have been a pleasure to work with.

Finally, what’s the set of eastenders really like?  Lots of fun!       

Sugababes - Heidi Range 

Sugababes - Jade Ewen

Sugababes - Amelle Berrabah

Shoes for Preeya on BBC - 1Xtra - what an amzaing idea

 

Preeya Kalidas

Alesha Dixon

This is mearly a snippt of the amazing work Pavan has done, you can also see the work she did with the sugababes here

LIKE for facebook page for more pictures and update here

www.pavanonline.com

photo via Pavan Ahluwalia 

Designer Notes - Raishma Islam

Raishma London is one brand we are all pretty familiar with, thanks to the glossy features in all top Asian wedding magazines, and its helps when celebs and royalty are wearing your designs too. Here we get to know the lady behind this pioneering British brand a little better. 

I started designing because…. I loved clothes, I wanted to be a designer since the age of 10. I love the richness of ethnic fabrics and the vibrant colour palette, mixed with European tailoring and cutting.

I was attracted to designing bridal gowns because… I  like to design couture gowns;  once in a lifetime dresses which are perfect for the Big Day.

My style is…elegant, understated, chic and glamorous.

A perfect wedding gown should… be well cut, a perfect style to suit the brides’ body shape. Well made and beautifully embroidered, and no compromise on the quality of fabrics used.

Bride’s visiting my boutique will find…a vast variety of styles and cuts to suit all types of brides. We cater for traditional Asian weddings to mix marriage weddings, and traditional English weddings too! We also co-ordinate the groom, bridesmaids, and guests with a stunning collection of evening wear in store.

My biggest achievement to date is…dressing high profile individuals, these include; HRH Princess Eugenie and Beatrice, and some of the Royal Saudi family as well as a Spice girl Mel B, and a wife of the Beatles Ringo Star ; Barbara Bach. I have become a pioneer in the British Asian fashion industry, and I am proud of this fact because it has not always been easy.

In my dreams, I’d…be an interior designer and a painter too…

I am…still passionate about what I do, even though I have been retailing and designing for more than 15 years now!

You probably won’t know this but… if I hadn’t become a designer I think I would have liked to teach children at reception age; as they are just too cute! I adore babies!

My next challenge will be… To franchise the brand in the UK and abroad.

This year I predict  brides will be wearing…a variation of traditional outfits, and full gown looks, depending on the type of wedding the bride is having. Fusion gown styles are always popular at Raishma’s.

so there you have it, if your the bride looking for fusion you know where to go. who remembers when former spice girl mel b (scary spice) wore one of Raishma designs ?? me!

www.raishma.co.uk

Designer Notes - Hijab House

Ever since i clapped eyes on there over the top cute advets i had to know more, lots more, who? what? where? and how lucky are they ladies of Australia, (where hijab house is based) well fret not the online store will be up and running very soon, in the mean time lets hear from from the people behind the brand!

Who is hijab house…a very new, exciting fashion destination for younger Muslims.  We put emphasis on value, quality but more than anything else – trend, direction, and style.   We’re not boutique designers, we’re retailers.  So we’re down to earth and more about fun. And more FUN. 


Who comes up with the oh so cute ads? I.e. late for tea? 

Oh!  Our ads…Haha.  Our ads are planned right from the beginning, so we kind of plan the ads before we design the clothes.  We all came up with your’e late for tea, and we knew we wanted the illustrations to give the Hijab a bigger personality.  You should see our next ads! Ssshh..secret. 

Where do you get your inspiration from?

From really unusual places!!,   People’s homes, Swedish forests or old photographs.  The print on Our Waisted Abaya and floral hijabs both came from a provincial arm chair in my Aunt’s living room, and a skirt we are bringing out for winter was inspired by the travelling women of the early 20^th century. The emphasis is on objects of the past, and how we can reconcile them with the future. 

What has the response been like from the hijab wearers?

At first, people were intimidated.  A hijab store? In the middle of a major shopping centre? Outrageous!  We ‘re quite different to other stores in Sydney.  Our packaging is different.  Our mannequins looks different. Our sales are held differently.  It took time for people to get used to us, but now everyone loves Hijab House. 

Can we really be modest and fashionable?…  you sure can.  Fashionable can mean many things.  A new print. A new cut or an innovative fabric.  While we will never bring out figure hugging dresses or see through hijabs,  our fashion direction will come from prints, cuts and fabrics. 

Our style is…Simple, well-made basics like jersey abayas and signature cuts, with luxurious, feminine accessories piled on top.  All at very good value of course!  

Our style can go from simple and understated to elaborate and expressive – it’s all up to you!

A perfect outfit should be…neat, well-thought out and should tell a story.  Every single Hijab House item tells a story, we love tugging at people’s imagination. 

Our  biggest achievement to date is…wow, um…honestly? Just the little things like making people leave with huge smiles on their faces, or inspiring women to wear the hijab for the first time, because they couldn’t find a place they belonged to.  I think these little moments are what we’re most proud of.  You’d be surprised how often it happens!

You probably won’t know this but…everything in Hijab house, is designed and made by Hijab House itself, from the prints to the cuts, we do it all!

Our  next challenge will be…expanding our abaya and skirt range.  It was never part of our original business vision but most women like to buy everything at once, and our abayas are popular as it is! 

Could you see yourself designing for the bridal market? We’re actually working on that at the moment!  We’d love to do a couture bridal collection one day.  I can see it now…luxurious silks, organza's, pearls and embellishments.  We won’t be afraid to use a bit of colour too!

 Which designer inspires you? Everyone in the office is loving Rodarte.  Their latest collection is  so modest, so feminine and the colours!  It conjures up images of a big wheat field and farmyard sunsets.   

How does it feel to know your inspiring women all over the world…? It’s incredibly rewarding.  Once, we received an email from a sister in Germany who was experiencing some hardships living in a predominantly German area with hardly any other Muslims. She was being taunted because of her Hijab and no one understood what it was. In her email, she was actually inspired by our store to be more brave because we had been brave in opening up in a Major Australian Mall.  We then sent her out some gifts to cheer her up and they worked!  We try and cheer people up whenever we can.  It means a lot to us.  

When can we get out hand on your work…UK USA etc?  Very soon!  We promise!  We want the online store to be as easy to navigate as possible – so it may take a bit longer, but it will be worth it.  We promise. 

Will you consider opening stores outside Australia?  Hijab House was made for the international market. We can’t wait!  Indonesia and Malaysia very soon. Woo! 

What are the non Muslims reactions to the store? Amazing! Another one of our proud achievements. We went out and made big beautiful posters, hung them out in the open, and watched people as they walked buy.  They’ve been inspired, intrigued and we have so many non-muslims walk in and ask really positive questions.  All because we’ve been brave enough to open in the middle of a major shopping mall. 

Want to have a peek instore? of course you do...

love much?

check out the facebook page here for updates and more info.

www.hijabhouse.com.au

Designer Notes - DINA TOKI-O

I was supposed to do this post a wee while back, but the fact my laptop exploded kind of got in the way, but like they say everything happens for a reason, and of course the lady in question has just started her very own blog, and gave a sneak peek at at whats in store when she launches her own label LAZYDOLL. now how would you know that if i posted a couple weeks back :) and you may be thinking this isn't very wedding related but i did ask A bridal question and anyway who cares..


So lets waste no more time, in introducing - up and coming designer Dina Torkia..or better known as DINA TOKI-O this trend setter is about to take the modesty and hijabi fashion world by storm, already loved on facebook and lookbook.nu, for her style and fashion sense.


whether its  turban or a hijab, skirt or cape, she well and truly puts her stamp on it.
Here's our little question answer session...

I started designing because…. I love it.. simples! Lol I actually started in school at gcse level, carried on to A levels, but unfortunately didn’t progress to university to carry on. Not sure why I didn’t but I think it was a lot to do with my confidence back then. Anyway when I was 10 I decided that’s all I’ve really ever wanted to do so just started again and that’s where I'm at now!

I was attracted to hijab/modest designing attire because…  I’ve been a hijabie for the majority of my life now. I put the Hijab on when I was 12 so I’ve never really known any other ways to dress other than around the boundaries of the hijab! So when I started being fashion conscious I figured it would make sense if I tried to cater for those women who prefer to dress modestly especially hijabies!

My style is… laid back, casual (I like to think classy lol) and funky!

A perfect outfit should be…whatever suits you best and whatever you feel the most gorgeous in!

My biggest achievement to date is… hmmmm good question lol.. I think it would be the most recent fashion show I took part in Cardiff in the Mercure Hotel for the Bollywood charity Ball hosted by the miss universe wales finalists! Getting my pictures taken alongside all my models dressed in my designs and those photos will be going in OK magazine inshallah along with other pictures of the event fingers crossed!!!

In my dreams, I’d… be very successful at the moment bringing covered women on the catwalk all over the major fashion cities! And changing any negative  views and opinions of what the western world think about us hijabies.

I am… Dina Torkia ! ;) lol

You probably won’t know this but… ummmm im half Egyptian and half white!

My next challenge will be… to launch my label inshallah!

Could you see yourself designing for the bridal market?  To be honest its not something I'm interested in at the moment.. I think theres already a lot of choice for hijabies out there when it comes to their wedding outfits.. but you never know anything could happen!

 Who is the DINA TOKI-O customer ….the DINA TOKI-O customer is a stylish independent woman who holds her head high and is proud of who she is and most of all has a great personality.

Which designer inspires you? at the moment Zuhair Murad and Jil Sander!!

How does it feel to know your inspiring women all over the world…?   All over the world? Lol I wouldn’t say that JUST yet haha.. but when I do get messages telling me I've inspired them it feels amazing! Gives me a reminder of why I'm doing this and why I should keep going no matter how long it may take!

When can we get out hand on your work…? Inshallah in my head I'm planning for summer time 2011 or towards the end of summer depending on how long it takes me.. and right now its proving to take a while!

Are you ready to hit the big time??  If you mean business wise.. then no not yet.. but mentally HELL YEAH! LOL

Sneak Peek -  Lazy Doll

Anyone who see zuhair murad as inspiration is awesome in my book, but if dina at such a young age of 21 is coming out with this material just imagine what she will accomplish in years to come.. and anyone who might be wondering whats shes like, well not only is she a stunner, but a total a doll, and oh so down to earth! yes i can tell these things over email ;)

we look forward to getting our mitts on her clothes sooon!!




www.twitter.com/#!/dinatokio
www.lookbook.nu/dina_tokio6
www.dinatoki-o.blogspot.com/
facebook page here