Having worked in films like Sano Sansar and Kohi Mero, Qazi is a new addition in the league of Nepal’s fashion designers. And it would not be an overstatement to say that the designer is here to help shift the winds of fashion in the Nepali film industry.[break]
“While doing Sano Sansar, clothes were my major concern because in Nepali films clothes are more of costumes. And I am glad that Qazi stepped into the scene,” shares Nembang. He continues, “Not only is she in sync with the times but she also understands fashion.”
And these attributes helped Qazi earn her next project -- Kohi Mero -- once again with Nembang. The trailer and posters of Kohi Mero shows the leading ladies in long flowing gowns and maxi dresses with strategic cutouts. “I seriously have problem with women wearing gowns but Nuzhat’s idea made it work. And I would love to work with her in my coming movies as well,” states Nembang.
For actor Bajracharya, who flaunts Qazi’s designs in Kohi Mero, the designer has the ability to translate ideas and characters into clothes. “I fitted in her designs,” says the actor.
“When you wear clothes, it should feel that it is meant for you and Nuzhat as a designer has the qualities to make you feel that the clothes are meant for you.”
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For her first fashion event, Gladrags Fashion Show, Qazi juxtaposed several traditional fabrics and motifs in modern silhouettes. For instance: the use of traditional Tamang dress textile to create a tube dress. “As the collection was inspired by movie Moulin Rouge, it was a blend of Nepali culture and the movie,” informs the designer. According to Qazi, the very movie inspired her to dabble in movies.
The designer, who likes to work with cotton, feels that waistlines define a woman’s body and this very idea dominated her first fashion show. Her works were mostly cinched dresses and kimonos.
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However, for Qazi, designing was more of a hobby until she was offered to work for Sano Sansar. “It was the good response from my clients and the movie that promoted me to step into this career,” shares the designer. Nevertheless, clothes have always fascinated the designer. And her tilt towards sketching and painting from a young age motivated her to graduate in fashion designing. At present, the designer is busy brainstorming for her upcoming projects -- Aacharya, Parijat and Bato Muniko Phool. When asked which movie has been the most challenging so far, the graduate from Wigan & Leigh College, Delhi shares, “Although fresh designs did not have to be sketched for Aacharya, it required a lot of research as the movie moves from the late 50s to other eras such as hippie and the 80s disco. And showing the gradual change in fashion demanded effort and prior research.”
Talking about the fashion in Nepali film industry Qazi opines, “People still strongly feel that styling and costume is not important. And to change this mindset is the big challenge.” For this designer, who recently styled actor Reecha Sharma for the movie First Love, the young generation of actors is more flexible to work with.
Besides styling and designing, launching a namesake clothing line is one of the ventures that the soft spoken designer is looking forward to. She informs that the line will be prêt-o-porter and if all goes as planned it will be launched in a couple of months. The designer also plans to try her hands in men’s department.
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