One wonders how a chemical engineer who worked for 12 years in his father’s factory ends up becoming a successful choreographer/ painter/ designer. Just five minutes in his studio and one discovers Imran Kureishi’s multi-faceted artistic talents. His collection of masks alone is testament to his focus and passion for anything he chooses to occupy himself with.
The collection is housed in his studio where he works on silk painting and creating his line of designer wear in between working on fashion shows. The only brother of four sisters, Imran hails from a family of writers namely-Bilquis Nasrullah, Omar Kureishi and Hanif Kureishi.
After returning to Karachi from Paris in 1973, Imran found that the fashion scene here was non-existent. So when the then cultural director of the PACC (where he was employed as a dance instructor/choreographer) suggested he do a fashion show, Imran jumped at the opportunity. And there has been no looking back for him ever since.
He recently celebrated his 25 years in choreography with a black-and-white art-deco themed event where this writer was present — being his model for his first-ever fashion show in 1980. The show was a success as for young people then there were few fashion-orientated activities in Karachi. We laboured over elaborate moves, which we worked hard to perfect, and loved every minute of it.
Asking Imran about the current fashion industry trends and the lack of new blood in it, he said: “I, for one, experiment all the time and at each show I use a mix of senior models and new talent so that some of the newer faces get more exposure. Mainly, the sponsors prefer known names and faces. The senior models have been around for a good 10-15 years and are now at the peak of their careers. It has taken them that long to get polished. The newer lot should be emerging soon.”
Since he’s been in fashion for more than two decades, where does Imran think the industry is headed towards? Right now, he says, the industry is more entertainment-based. “With all the fashion schools churning out people with the right skills, I expect it to head towards more ‘serious fashion’. As for now, I like the direction it’s taking.”
When asked about where he envisioned himself in the next 10 years, he gives an outline of a dream. “I would like to open an academy to train people in various aspects of fashion shows; focus on things like modeling, set design, lighting and photography, and have comprehensive, archived libraries of music, wardrobe, accessories, and much, much more.”
Taking into account his interaction with various personalities associated with fashion’ here is a lowdown of what they have to say about Imran Kureishi as a choreographer.
Masarrat Misbah (beautician): “I have known Imran for the last 25 years. During rehearsals and events, he worries more about providing food and drinks rather than the lights or the style; he knows that’s going to fall in place. He always makes sure people working with him get due credit. He is an institute, bringing out well-coordinated models and fashion industry related personnel. But people take advantage of his caring personality. At times, he finds it difficult to say no to people. But if he does, he wouldn’t be Imran Kureishi.”
Aijazz Aslam (model/designer): “ When I started modelling, I got basic training from Imran. Myself, Adnan Siddiqui, Tahir Ali and Farhan Ali Agha, all started off and branched out due to his efforts. Before him, we had no formal training. He gives a lot of thought to the basics.”
Amin Guljee (artist): “Imran is a very good friend and a wonderful person. I worked with him in Dubai and the show he did went off very well. His sense of humor and sense of calm are the two most distinguishing qualities of his personality.”
Deepak Perwani (designer): “My first event was orchestrated by Imran. He is a firecracker. Twenty-five years is a long way to come. He deserves every bit of his success.”
Tariq Amin (stylist): “I value Imran’s friendship tremendously; we also have family connections that go way back. I have not worked with him recently and when he asks me again, I won’t say no.”
Arif Mahmood (photographer): “I have known him since 1989, when we did a magazine shoot that he coordinated. He has choreographed models whose daughters are now in the industry. I don’t know if a lot of people know this, but he is a shopaholic. Every birthday, he changes his watch and this is a superstitious thing.”
Zainab Qayyum (model): “In a world, which I love and am a part of — intrigue, backstabbing and all — I believe Imran has maintained his integrity for the last 25 years. Hats off to him.”
Vaneeza Ahmed (model): “I’ve been working with him from the very start and it’s been sheer pleasure. His payments are always on time; and he always delivers which is very important. The best thing about Imran is that he stands by his models in the face of any adversity. I wish him the best of luck and hope he continues to do well. He does so because he is an icon in his own right.”
Rizwan Beyg (designer): “I know Imran both personally and professionally. He is always there for you, loyal, honest and committed. The reason why he’s still in the business is because he constantly updates himself; and for a person so resistant in his personal life, it is amazing to see the changes he makes in his professional life. Two-and-a-half decades of fashion shows have seen him shift from pomp and ceremony to simple, Milan-like catwalks.”
Iraj (model): “For me to work with someone, I have to like them. Imran is my teddy bear. He is a great guy and has a great sense of humor. His shows are simple and I appreciate that he does simple, straight shows. People like him make my job less stressful and more fun.”
Amir Adnan (designer): “I have known him for many years. He is a well-composed individual, and a perfectionist. I wish he would inculcate a team around him rather than being a one-man show. He is an institution and by now he could have been even bigger if he wanted to. He is extremely good at what he does.”
Frieha Altaf (choreographer): “I did one show for him when I started modeling in 1987. I have tremendous respect for him. He has played a pioneering role in this field and it is not an easy field; which is why we don’t have that many chorographers. It is a very stressful occupation and someone to have survived in this field for so long is amazing.”
Sonya Battla (designer): “It is really lovely to work with Imran; the last time was in Islamabad. It was an education watching him work out the logistics and how he managed to cart the show lock stock and barrel to Islamabad. It was extremely well handled and the show was innovative; the opening was a portion from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, such a gentle launch for a car. Since it was a fashion show predominantly of women’s wear, a fast, fancy car parked on the catwalk (which it was) may have indicated a hard sell marketing gimmick but the show was so sensitively done and tasteful in the extreme. Everything fit in so well - the beginning, middle and end just flowed together, it was methodically, meticulously thought out. It was wonderful. He is more artistic than others, doesn’t compromise on taste or style. He must be made of steel and iron as he’s survived Karachi for 25 years in this field.”
Rubab (model): “I did my first fashion show, Kolachi to Karachi, with him and was amazed at his resourcefulness, there was a camel on the catwalk. I have learnt a lot from him. He treats everyone the same and doesn’t differentiate between a big model and a small fry newcomer. He understands people’s problems. I travelled with my baby to do a series of shows as I had problems with a babysitter, and even though the cast and crew objected to my bringing the baby along, he said ‘no way’; so I brought my baby and while travelling by road when I had to make pit-stops for the baby, he made me feel so much at ease and laughed it off; he even arranged for a nanny backstage so I could work in peace. He is a wonderful human being with no attitude problems.”
Tapu Javeri (fashion photographer): “ I have compiled music for a lot of his fashion shows and found him extremely professional and organized. He is pro-active and spends a lot of time planning ahead to ensure success and ease of transition in every aspect of the show. One particularly successful show was Kolachi to Karachi. The sheer scale of the show and how he managed to achieve the scale to that extent impressed me. He even brought in a live camel to open the show.
Nabila, Imran and myself have worked together quite successfully. He is the only designer whom I have spent money on and bought his saris for my siblings. But I have a complaint — he is too giving. There is a point up to which one should be rigid or flexible. He lets people take advantage of him. On a more positive note, he is the Energizer Bunny. He keeps going and going and going. He will probably be going strong even after we are gone.”
Nadya Hussain (model): “Congratulations to Imran on completing 25 years! And I want to thank him for accepting me and introducing me into this field. I did my first show with him and he did not pass any dire opinion like ‘you need to lose weight’ or anything. He is very sweet, always remembers to call on birthdays, etc. He is genuine and does not come across as contrived.”
Fifi Haroon (journalist): “If ever there is a comprehensive book written on the history of fashion in Pakistan, Imran would deserve a very special mention. He is amongst the few to give definitive shape to fashion choreography in the country — from the time when it was not even a recognized field to a time when it is a booming industry. Imran has managed to cross that bridge with amazing success. He is a pleasure to work with because he cares for those on his team and shows it. You never go to an Imran Kureishi rehearsal and come back hungry. Here’s to another 25 years, Imran.”
Saqib Malik (director): “Imran is one of those friends who is there for you — you can always count on him. He has the best sense of humour. The best cure for the blues is being with him unless of course he’s got the blues himself. He is a big-hearted person, never has anything bad to say about anyone. He comes from a solid family background, has high moral values and that is something rare in today’s materialistic and selfish world. His work is very detailed and takes pride in doing things well and in the process, thoroughly enjoys his work. He is contemporary and in demand, even after 25 years.”
One wonders how a chemical engineer who worked for 12 years in his father’s factory ends up becoming a successful choreographer/ painter/ designer. Just five minutes in his studio and one discovers Imran Kureishi’s multi-faceted artistic talents. His collection of masks alone is testament to his focus and passion for anything he chooses to occupy himself with.
