After completing her bachelor’s degree in Germany, star stylist Anushe Khalid always knew that fashion was her true calling. Although it was never planned, the talented young stylist kept pursuing things somehow related to style. “Even though I studied international business in Germany, to be honest, part of me always knew that I would end up doing something with fashion,” she says instep
The famous stylist tells how it all started: “I started out as a fashion content creator while working in a company. However, I didn’t enjoy it. Then one day I got a call that I had been shortlisted for the position of stylist. I went to the interview and luckily I was selected. Without wasting much time, I resigned from my job at the company and I’ve been doing what I’m passionate about for almost six months.”
She has come a long way in a short time and is the mastermind behind celebrity styling for various film promotions and premieres. Describing what the premiere season was like, she states, “It was phenomenal and unlike anything I ever expected! It was a roller coaster ride with ups and downs. While I love the pressure, it can get a bit overwhelming at times. Despite that, I really enjoyed every part of it.”
Anushe shares that she hasn’t been a stylist for long, but in recent months she has had the opportunity to style some renowned stars in the industry. “Some of the most talented personalities I’ve styled include Sarmad Khoosat, Zahid Ahmed, Nimra Bucha, Syed Jibran and Uzair Jaswal to name a few,” she adds.
Where she gets her inspiration from, the stylist says she gets most of her inspiration from real people. “I feel like a person’s personality speaks volumes about who they are and what they represent. And the clothes they wear should only reflect that. I truly believe that styling is a way of telling people who you are without having to speak, and I try to reflect that in my styling as well,” she says.
Here are five looks she recently created for some of our favorite stars.
The stylist dreamed up this look for one of the media junkets for Sarmad Khoosat’s Kamli. “This look was completely inspired by Sarmad’s own personality – his fun, playful side. I kept the rest of the outfit in white. That allowed me to make a statement with this flawless tweed rastah jacket with leather pocket details – essentially making her the center of attention, just like the man who wears it,” she explains.
White on white is Anushe’s favorite summer combination and that’s exactly the look she created for Kamlis Leading actor Hamza Khawaja. “When keeping an eye on the weather, loose, airy, lighter colors are always my go-to. For Hamza Khawaja’s press conference look, I chose this white Deepak Perwani cotton kurta paired with white pants.” She adds, “I wanted to elevate the look and give it a bit of pizzazz, so I went for a white vest with pastel-toned embroidery. Not only did it complement the neutral ensemble, but it also suited the theme of the film.”
Anushe Khalid created this look for actors Zahid Ahmed and Syed Jibran Ghabrana Nahi Hai, for a magazine cover shoot. “Since Zahid Ahmed was the protagonist of the film, I chose a cream and beige Republic by Omar Farooq suit for him. Syed Jibran also wears an all-white dress Salwar kurta by Republic paired with a coat,” she reveals. “The main idea was to match the passionate and exuberant personalities of Zahid and Syed Jibran through their looks and ensure they leave a lasting impression that is inimitable. Both looks exude confidence and uniqueness. The combination of coordinated colors and accessories allowed me to achieve a unique look for both of them.”
“I styled Nimra Bucha in this timeless golden saree and paired it with an exquisitely embellished black scarf,” says the stylist. “Originally we didn’t plan this outfit at all and decided on something completely different. I work better under pressure as it allows me to come up with some of my best ideas and this look definitely makes my favorites list. It conveys uniqueness like no other,” explains Anushe. The famous stylist pays particular attention to the small details that help to highlight and best convey the artist’s personality, making a spectacular difference in the finished look.
According to the stylist, she styled this look Kamli’s Lahore premiere where Sarmad Khoosat stars in this incredible Hassan Sheheryar Yasin tuxedo. “I have always loved the work of HSY. Although the result is always super chic, you can tell right away that his ensembles are for bold, risk-taking people who aren’t afraid to step out of their comfort zone,” she shares. While many people choose a solid color suit for premieres, I chose black pants and paired them with a beige blazer. The black collar detail allowed the look to be brought together in a coherent yet bold way.”