From Law to Luxury | The Art of Fashion by Aqsa Arshid
In a world where fashion meets personal expression, Aqsa Arshid stands out as a beacon of creativity and craftsmanship. Transitioning from a background in law to the vibrant realm of fashion, Aqsa has carved a niche for herself by marrying the accessibility of high-street fashion with the exquisite craftsmanship found in luxury brands. Her journey, shaped by experiences at renowned labels like Zara and Dior, has given her a unique perspective on what it means to create clothing that resonates with diverse personalities. In this interview, we delve into her vision for Aqsa Arshid, exploring the inspirations behind her collections and her commitment to quality, sustainability, and individual expression. Join us as we uncover the essence of a brand that promises “elevated essentials made with love for you.”
1. What inspired you to transition from law to fashion, and how did your experience at Dior and Zara shape your vision for Aqsa Arshid?
Although I studied law at Durham University, what started as a job in fashion ended up being a career-defining moment. During the pandemic, I moved to London and joined Zara, thinking it would be a temporary gig to explore whether fashion was the right path for me. And guess what? I loved it. Over time, I secured a position in visual merchandising, where I learned how crucial it is to make fashion both accessible and visually compelling while staying true to a brand’s identity. After Zara, I moved to Dior, which really deepened my understanding of craftsmanship and quality. The attention to detail in every piece taught me how much precision and artistry go into luxury fashion. That experience solidified my commitment to creating well-crafted, beautiful pieces. At Aqsa Arshid, I’ve blended these experiences—marrying the high-street accessibility I learned at Zara with the luxury-level craftsmanship I picked up at Dior. This balance of both is at the core of our brand’s vision.
2. Your brand offers collections catering to three distinct personas: boho-chic, romantic, and minimalist. How do you ensure each collection authentically represents these personalities?
We design each collection with the three personas in mind—boho-chic, romantic, and minimalist. For the boho-chic girl, we focus on relaxed fits and playful prints, with fun details like beaded tassels and neck ties. It’s all about movement and ease, but with a statement. The romantic pieces are softer, with dreamy colour palettes and vintage-inspired prints like chintz florals and delicate embroidery, all with a modern twist. For the minimalist, it’s about clean lines and subtle sophistication, with monochromatic tones and minimal prints. As we move forward with our upcoming collections, you’ll see these personas truly come to life. Each collection will dive deeper into the unique characteristics of boho, romantic, and minimalist styles, offering even more ways to express your individuality.
3. How did your time at Dior influence your approach to balancing quality, design, and customer service within your brand’s offerings?
Dior taught me so much about the importance of quality and craftsmanship. They really emphasized the details, which is something we carry forward at Aqsa Arshid. When we choose fabrics and design pieces, we keep durability and luxury in mind. As for customer service, working at Dior taught me the importance of understanding the unique needs of each client and providing a personalized experience. We apply this by engaging closely with our customers, offering tailored advice, and making sure their experience with our brand feels special.
4. What challenges did you face when blending high-street pricing with the luxury brand experience, and how did you overcome them?
The challenge is always about maintaining quality while keeping things affordable. At Aqsa Arshid, we focus on efficient production processes and work with artisans who know their craft. We use fabrics like breathable cotton that feel luxurious but don’t push up the price. What makes our pieces feel luxurious is the vibrant, unique prints and playful aesthetic, which stand out without compromising on comfort or affordability. Quality control is key, so each piece feels premium but remains within reach for our customers.
5. Aqsa Arshid’s tagline is “Elevated essentials made with love for you.” Can you share what this means to you and how it translates into your design process?
For Aqsa Arshid, “Elevated essentials made with love for you” is a promise that each piece is crafted with care and attention to detail from start to finish. We focus on creating clothing that’s uniquely playful, comfortable, and easy to wear, with no fuss but still a statement. From the initial design process to the time your piece is shipped to you, we make sure every step is filled with thought and precision. The goal is to deliver something special that brings a little joy to your wardrobe while making you feel confident and comfortable every time you wear it. It’s an essential but with an oomph.
6. With your new collection introducing bolder prints on pure fabric, how do you balance innovation with maintaining the timeless appeal your brand is known for?
Innovation and timelessness are both really important to us. In our new collection, which will be launching soon, we’re experimenting with bolder, more expressive prints, but the key is balance. We pair these prints with classic silhouettes and fabrics that are breathable and versatile, so you can wear them year after year. The designs are bold, but they’re still pieces you can rely on for any occasion, and that’s what helps keep them timeless.
7. What steps does Aqsa Arshid take to ensure the pieces remain comfortable while still being statement-making and versatile for all occasions?
Comfort is everything, but we don’t believe it should come at the expense of style. We focus on using breathable fabrics like cotton, which keeps things light and comfortable, but we also love to play with bold, lively prints and playful details to make the pieces stand out. The versatility comes through in how we balance these expressive designs with timeless, easy-to-style silhouettes that can be dressed up or down for any occasion. This approach ensures that our pieces feel luxurious yet effortless, without sacrificing comfort.
8. As your brand continues to grow, how do you plan to stay connected with and cater to a diverse range of women who have different fashion needs and styles?
Customer feedback is such a big part of how we grow. We’re not just building a brand; we’re creating a community. By actively engaging with our customers on social media and listening to their feedback, we adapt each collection accordingly. This approach ensures that we are truly in tune with what women want and need. We also offer customization where possible to ensure that every woman feels represented and catered to. After all, we’re designing pieces for women, and it’s essential that our brand resonates with what they want.
9. How important is sustainability and ethical production to your brand, and what measures do you take to uphold these values?
Sustainability and ethical production are top priorities for us. We believe in creating pieces that last, which is why we work with limited collections and avoid overproduction. We also focus on using high-quality fabrics that are durable so customers don’t need to replace them as often. Our collaboration with local artisans supports small businesses and helps us ensure fair wages for everyone involved in production. By keeping things local and intentional, we minimize waste and stay true to our values.
10. Looking ahead, what do you envision for Aqsa Arshid, and how do you see the brand evolving in the next few years?
Looking ahead, we envision Aqsa Arshid continuing to grow while staying true to our love for vibrant and fresh designs. As we move forward, we’re excited to work with creative minds, especially when it comes to developing unique prints. Collaborating with talented artists and designers will help us keep the brand dynamic and ever-evolving, allowing us to become known for our standout prints. At the same time, we remain deeply connected to our roots. Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship hold a special place in our hearts, and we hope to incorporate more of this into our future collections. We aim to integrate traditional craftsmanship into our designs, blending it with modern silhouettes for a fresh take on cultural style. While we are focused on ready-to-wear for now, we’re also excited about the possibility of introducing a formal wear line.