Living genuinely. Celebrating imperfection. Making memories. Embracing wear you are in your life and how you live. This is WEAR THEY ARE: A Snapshot of Fearless Females and How They Got There- a series where all of these concepts come to life through the stories of women who’ve embraced them firsthand.
If you’ve been paying attention, I’ve pretty much been shouting from the rooftops the importance of surrounding yourself with a group of like-minded women to encourage you, inspire you, and support you along your journey. You know the saying “It takes a village”? Well, it does. I don’t care if you’re a stay-at-home Mom or a CEO- you didn’t get there alone. And you’re not alone now.
I’m so incredibly proud to introduce you to Sahar Dada, a personal friend whose beautiful and intricate eye for design has touched my life in more ways than one. As a Designer and Founder of both an eponymous label of custom evening wear and the recent fusion womens’ wear label housed under the name Ari & Oak, Sahar’s designs are defined by fluid fabrics, feminine silhouettes and a modern take on traditional Pakistani artisan handwork techniques. Available worldwide, Sahar’s namesake brand was created in 2010 in Chicago and Ari & Oak followed suit in 2017.
Sahar is a woman who prides herself on giving women the feeling of being unique in their own way. It not only characterizes her labels, but spills out of her heart and soul like a breath of fresh air. Therefore it’s no surprise that when it came time to build out my bridal trousseau a few years ago, I immediately turned to Sahar to create two designs that I knew would give me this feeling during one of the most important moments of my life. And by gosh, did she deliver- both in the clothing and the friendship department.
In this installment of WEAR THEY ARE, I’m sitting down with Sahar to share her experience and vision as a designer, and how above all, it’s important to always remember where you came from.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WANTED TO BE IN FASHION? TELL US HOW YOU GOT YOUR START AS A DESIGNER.
In 7th grade I did a project for career day, and I still have the poster boards I made. It was filled with cutouts from Vogue and Visage magazines. I had wanted to design since I was so young, and its mostly because I grew up around the idea of making your own clothes. I was always intrigued by it. My first step was attending the Institute of Art as a fashion design major. I would always make my own traditional Pakistani outfits, which made me realize I wanted to have my own label and had to take the leap of faith.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU? WHERE DOES THE VISION FOR YOUR COLLECTIONS COME FROM?
Everything around me ultimately inspires me. It could be a friend, a trip I’ve taken, or something as simple as my mood on a certain day. I would have to say my vision usually comes from blending my two cultures together. Being from a Pakistani background is something that’s really important to me and it’s also up to me to highlight it in the most beautiful way I know. I’ve always tried to keep it consistent within the brand by combining modern silhouettes with traditional artisan handwork.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT AS A DESIGNER TO DATE?
Ari and Oak recently did an ad campaign with Unilever (Pakistan) brands. We dressed an actress for a BB cream commercial which ran nationally. It’s always surreal seeing your work in print, on influencers, or on TV. We are truly grateful for the opportunity.
IF YOU COULD DESIGN ONLY ONE THING FOR THE REST OF YOUR CAREER, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
LBDs (Little Black Dresses). It’s so classic and timeless and everyone should have a good black dress/outfit in their closet.
YOU SPEND A GREAT DEAL OF TIME TRAVELING WITH YOUR HUSBAND. HOW DOES THIS INFLUENCE YOUR WORK?
It’s my biggest source of inspiration. At times, being away from home has its set backs, but being able to connect with people and learning how they live, what they eat, how they dress and what they do on a day-to-day basis makes up for it.
WHAT SPRING TRENDS ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT THIS SEASON?
Sequins and candy-colored pastels.
WHAT IS THE MOST PRIZED POSSESSION HANGING IN YOUR CLOSET?
A vintage Gucci double breasted wool coat. It has a velvet trim with gold buttons, and it’s beautiful. I just had it altered and I can’t wait to wear it this coming winter.
WHO IS YOUR STYLE ICON AND WHY?
I can’t pick just one! I feel like it’s always changing. Currently, I’m loving Sonam Kapoor (over the top ball gowns and saris), Dua Lipa (I love her quirky style) and Kristen Crawley (I love how she pushes boundaries with streetwear and makes it look super sexy).
LET’S TALK FAST-FASHION FOR A MINUTE. AS A DESIGNER, IS IT CHALLENGING TO SEE PRODUCT PRODUCED IN A MANNER THAT’S OFTEN DETRIMENTAL TO BOTH THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE WOMEN WHO ARE PRODUCING THE PRODUCT?
Yes, absolutely. As a brand, we don’t like to carry inventory, mainly with the hope of not contributing to waste. I can’t say it’s easy to avoid mass produced brands (NOTE from Natalie- I’m guilty of this, too!), but we can all do our part. It’s so easy to do research on how the garments you are buying were produced and if they were ethically sourced. If everyone takes small steps, we just might make a difference and even get bigger corporations to change their process of production and make sure they’re providing their staff safe work environments.
Note from Natalie: The Sophie Dress (pictured above) is the first piece I wore by Sahar.
I donned it for the engagement party my parents threw my husband and I, and it remains one of the most cherished pieces in my closet.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORK DAY CONSIST OF FOR YOU?
Everyday is so different. On most days, I usually start with video calls with my team overseas (we have a 12-hour time difference, so I’m usually up at 5:00 a.m.). Once I’m done with my calls, I catch up on emails and message/inquiries on our social media accounts. I schedule consultations/custom order meetings in the afternoons and fittings in the evenings. It’s a pretty packed day, but all of it is so exciting and fun, especially meeting with clients one-on-one. When I’m traveling, I get to work more hands on with artisans, tailors, and pattern makers, along with sourcing fabrics and trims.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER WOMEN WHO ARE LOOKING TO PURSUE A CAREER IN FASHION?
Don’t stop and don’t compare your success to others. If you truly want something, you’ll learn to eat, breathe, and sleep it. AND read! Educate yourself, spend your free time researching and learning how to make your brand better.
If you want to keep up with all things Sahar Dada, which I recommend you do because seriously SWOON over her work, follow along on social (@sarahdada and @ariandoak on Instagram) and head to SaharDada.com for more.
Build your tribe. Wear you are now.
xx
Natalie
Natalie
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