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A woman in a man’s pants
She never knew that she’d be a stylist one day. Neither did her parents, especially her father who thought that if need be, his daughter, Laiqa Hasan would grow up to help him and his son run the family business or, she didn’t need to work at all. Everything was provided for. But meeting Laiqa, its quite simple to understand that she demands her individuality in every way, thriving on it immensely. Its what keeps her going. She is the sort of person people turn around to look at, not because she’s a beauty queen but because she’s just so — let’s just say — unconventional.
At first glance, Laiqa Hasan looks like a tomboy; Boy-cut hairstyle, donning pants and men’s style shirts, a thick I.D. bracelet and a watch, a style unchanged since her college days. She talks, exuding self-assurance, with a slightly terse tone, walks with an air of pride and thinks like a true businessman and is gifted with a knack for PR. But another facet of her is revealed only after one makes an effort to spend enough time and win her trust. That’s when Laiqa’s softer side is uncovered and a child-woman steps forward.
Her self-discovery started approximately seven years ago when Laiqa, always aware of her aptitude, struggled with her father to get a job and eventually start her own business.
“I wanted to earn a name on my own, apart from the one I have gotten from my family. I wanted to prove to myself and to them that I could accomplish something,” says Laiqa.
She started with an apprenticeship at Nabila’s and travelled abroad to study for courses and diplomas from renowned institutes. She opened her own salon five years ago. Since then she’s only looked forward, never once glanced back or regretted anything. She has no reason to, as today her name is recognized as one of the style makers in the industry. However, Laiqa’s view on things may differ form many others.
“I don’t have any competition in this industry on my level, as I see others as my seniors. I don’t want to compete with them, I’ve been taught by them. I just want to make my own place and build my own niche,” explains Laiqa.
With Laiqa doing various fashion shows, grabbing credits for the covers of fashion publications in town, boasting a clientele of the who’s who in Karachi, and having a pretty solid social network in her favour, it seems like smooth sailing from here. Just recently Laiqa, along with Amber Ispahani and Asiya, has initiated a joint venture, an enterprise that is aimed to arrange and produce all types of media related shows. So the trio got together and decided to put their people’s skills and widespread contacts to good use. Their first show took place in June for ‘Women’s Week’ celebration. It was received well and Laiqa seems very hopeful for its future and her own.
“My talent does not stop at being a stylist and doing just hair and make-up. I feel that my real strength lies in interacting with people and that gives me a bigger leverage for discovering ways of applying my talent to various things.”
She is also a big believer of promoting new talent and has over time, brought in and supported many novices. This includes models as well as designers and Laiqa hopes to turn this feature into a well-established line of business.
“We hope to develop a complete grooming programme for new models, complete with instructors and proper training programmes. But that’s planned for the near future,” says Laiqa.
Acquiring success in a relatively short period of time would cause anyone’s head to spin. Laiqa is no different, of course she knows she’s been fortunate. But she has also learned that the good always comes with the bad. Along with the onslaught of recognition she got her share of scandals, so-called good friends and strained family ties. Many a times people have lied blatantly to her face and she’s believed them taking them at face value, and following her instincts. Many a times her instincts have been responsible for causing her great pain.
“I do not like people being dishonest and hypocritical. I myself am a straightforward person. People tend to forget that the showbiz circle is a small one and one’s lies can always be caught sooner or later. What goes around, comes around.”
Despite the setbacks Laiqa Hasan’s thoughts are constantly running along the lines of how to make this business thrive, putting what she knows best into practical terms. At this moment she is also thinking about helping her father, business-wise, by putting together women related shows for his company. This move is probably quite welcome by her father, as he had always wanted her to help him out.
“And maybe I will get more involved in the family business. It’s a possibility,” says Laiqa, smiling.
And its apparent that she has great respect and love for her parents, “They have supported me tremendously throughout my life and career,” says Laiqa.
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