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Maria B. - Pakistani Designer Maria Belal is an ambitious young Pakistani designer with vision. A graduate of the Pakistan School of Fashion Design, Maria launched her label ‘Maria B’ in Lahore few years back. Right after the fashion show in Pakistan, she opened the doors to her new women's boutique in Karachi. Her cotton shalwar kameez, choori daar pajama, and embroidered evening wear, all meticulously cut and stitched, were quickly snapped up by trendy Lahoris.
The outfits she has selected – from a cotton sleeveless salwar kameez to black net culottes to a chiffon sari – embody her look for the modern Pakistani woman in the late 90s.
She learnt that there was tremendous scope for Pakistani fabrics in the international market and was determined to make her mark globally. As she says with confidence, “I’m a staunch patriot – I want to take Pakistan’s name in the international fashion scene. I want to show people around the world what a great heritage we have. That really is the core philosophy of my business. We want to go into the international market and prove ourselves as a Pakistani brand name.”
Maria’s main goal is to export her dresses abroad – “I want to send haute-couture items such as evening wear, bridal wear etc. to UK/Europe, and then eventually to the US/Canada, Singapore and Australia.” She remains undaunted by the global competition and says “you have to aim high – and I do want to get to New York, Milan and Paris one day.”
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