Ammar Belal, the son of Khwaja Belal (the once unchallenged don of textile industry). Being a newcomer he has already won Indigo Sunday Designer of the Year (Pret)

You’ve come a long way, tell us more…

Well, first of all I still have a long way to go. I’m nearly nowhere I want to be. I started with ABCD in 2003 which was a great experience for me I plunged into As Jeans which was a creative outlet for me and helped me find my identity in terms of design. I dwelled into ABCD Ethnic before launching the Ammar Belal Menswear label in summer 2007. I thought this was something the Pakistani market really required and it was all about affordable luxury. I was tired of the gap between too expensive plus internationally branded and locally made but not good on quality. I wanted to branch out into something different by offering Pakistani design that met international quality. I wanted to look into what products could be made available in Pakistan – products such as high quality luggage, cufflinks, and sunglasses. I wanted to create a lifestyle brand. This is about a complete lifestyle.

How doe it feel to be part of the Sunday weekly?

I don’t take being featured in Sunday too seriously. It honestly feels really vain and superficial as I think I may give the impression of somebody who has nothing better to do than get pictures taken. I try to balance my celebrity lifestyle and the fact that I’m also a regular guy. It is difficult to draw a line between Ammar Belal as a bran ambassador and Ammar Belal as just another guy.

How do you think the indigo Sunday Face of the Year 2007 adds to your list of achievements?

Award and Award shows in our country are very subjective; hence I don’t take then seriously. But that said, winning an award is always a great feeling. I was very shocked to win because the other nominees is my category were very strong, and had been doing prêt much longer than I has. I think the Ammar Belal and the ad campaigns really made an impression on the jury. We won on the ideology of our brand rather than a particular outfit. I’m happy that’s what ended up mattering.

What advice do you have for the nominees who couldn’t make it?

I think I’m too young to be giving advice to my nominees, considering they’ve been in the industry longer than I have. They are very good friends of mine. I think there’s no advice because sometimes they win and sometimes I win. All of the other nominees have won and achieved so much.

You’ve won one of the industry’s biggest awards – what are your plants for the future now?

Winning awards doesn’t alter plans for Ammar Belal since it was launched with an international vision. Winning the award helps to translate that vision and prove our achievement to the people. We have a solid five year plan of where we want to be. We plan to open flagship stores in Karachi and in Faisalabad and one in Lahore by June. We are going to branch out into Ammar Belal shoes and bags for women by summer 2008. we are also looking into taking the brand to Dubai and India within eighteen months.

Ammar’s Engagement 

Moreover, he got engaged this year after successfully keeping years long relationship with model Amina Haq, the daughter of Mustafa Khar. The 2 have been enjoying each others company for quite some time and complimented each other in their own successful endeavours with Ammar being an upcoming fashion designer & Amina being a top Pakistani model. Let’s see if this engagement brings more luck to them.

Source pakwatan. Photo By Ashiq Thobani

Popularity: 29% [?]

Related Posts:

  1. Pirated Copies - Zindabad
  2. India showing first Pakistani made film in 43 years
  3. Namal College by Imran Khan
  4. Nokia N96 Annonced in Pakistan
  5. Ramchand Pakistani
  6. Video - Ali Azmat’s Gallan Song
  7. Atif Aslam, Shafqat Amanat Ali, & Pappu Saein received Presidential Awards
  8. Porn Temple