Tell us about your coveted fashion label HSY. When did you decide fashion designing was the right profession for you? How did your journey begin? I had wanted to enter the world of design since the age of five, however, I actually took the plunge at the age of 18 after I suffered from a horrible car accident – something like that makes you put your passion into perspective. I thus, started my career in fashion direction in 1994 and graduated from PIFD in 2000, after which I launched my label. In this time, I have also been a founding member of the Pakistan Fashion Design Council and a serving senate member of the Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design. This has all been possible because of the opportunities my country has given me and for that I am grateful. You go by many names in the industry. Hassan, Sheru, HSY etc. Which is your favourite? If I’d have to choose one, it would have to be Hassan. Most people don’t know this but I actually changed by name to Hassan at the age of 13 because my maternal grandmother always wanted me to have that name and this was my way of paying my respects and keeping her in my memories. You are a constant shuttle between Lahore and Karachi for various events. Which city in Pakistan is your favourite to live? Home is where the heart is and my heart belongs to all of Pakistan. How much have you travelled and explored Pakistan? Which would be your ultimate vacation spot here? I’ve been lucky enough to travel a lot around Pakistan and experience its beauty. I do love going up north from time to time. It’s just extremely peaceful and the beauty and hospitality you find in our Pakistan cannot be matched elsewhere. What is your vision for Pakistan and what does it mean to be Pakistani for you? For me being a Pakistani is all about hope. I’m an extremely proud Pakistani and I believe that to help our country progress we must invest in our youth. There is no limit of potential in our youth and education and mentorship is important to help our future generation realise its passion and work towards it. Everything I have today is because of the respect and opportunities Pakistan has given me and our youth deserves the same. It is only when we focus on building the future that we can have a future to build on. How were you as a student? How much do fashion and design schools help in pursuing a career for the same? I was a very good student and always respected and believed in the power of education. I do believe that education in the field you want to work in, including fashion and design is extremely useful. While you can’t ignore passion and natural talent, education and training helps you gain a technical skill set that is necessary when it comes to building a career. Is opening a fashion and design school on your wishlist? HSY works with a lot of schools through training and employing young talent that have the potential to learn and grow. We are also working on starting a Mentorship Programme that will help equip younger talent with the technical skills and business acumen necessary to build a career. Are you attached to any charity work or organisation? Tell us about that.? As a brand, we are constantly partnering up with a number of different NGOs to help raise awareness and generate funds for issues that deeply affect our country. Some organisations that we have worked with are the Care Foundation, the KASHF Foundation and the Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust. We believe that education is the cornerstone of every nation and our goal is to work with at least two-three NGOs a year that work towards education and self-dependence. This is something we plan on increasing in years to come and hope that other fashion brands also take this initiative. “It is only when we focus on building the future that we can have a future to build on” Who are some of your most-favourite Pakistani fashion designers? Bunto Kazmi has always been my favourite designer in Pakistan. I look up to her elegance and sense of style and admire her strength in being a revivalist of traditional fashion and craftsmanship. You are also a leading choreographer and a very successful talk show host. Have you ever considered acting? In college, I was the president of Dramatics and did a lot of theatre. If time permits, I would love to revive that side of me. Your work takes you all over the world, be it Dubai, London, US or Canada. How are Pakistani fashion designers perceived abroad? Are our foreign counterparts welcoming towards us or sceptical? Welcoming or not, they are always surprised by the sheer talent that Pakistan has to offer. When you’re travelling for work, it’s not you but your work that speaks. If you work hard and are professional, you will receive the respect you deserve no matter where you go. What according to you has been your biggest achievement till date? How have your achievements changed you professionally and personally? My biggest achievement would be pioneering the business of fashion in Pakistan. Creativity was always present in the fashion industry but HSY was one of the first brands that really churned fashion into a profitable business in Pakistan that educates and employs thousands of men and women in the country. The achievements have of course helped me grow professionally but personally they have also taught me the importance of giving back. Working on the PFDC council, we have helped create platforms for new designers and encouraged the boom of fashion and design colleges in the country. We have taken the business of fashion and helped educate, train and create welfare for a number of people in the country. This for me will always be my biggest achievement. We, at Daily Times, consider you one of our national heroes. Who are some of yours? My mother. I am everything I am today because of her. She has taught me the importance of integrity, honesty, hard work and that truly nothing is impossible. I look up to her for her sense of independence, her strength and her courage. She has single-handedly brought me up. I love her and everything I do, I do it to make her proud. Achievements International Star Choreographer and designer Hassan Sheheryar Yasin is affiliated with the La Chambre Syndicale De La Couture Parisienne in France. Hassan Sheheryar Yasin worked both as a choreographer and designer in various shows within Pakistan and abroad at international shows including Dubai, London, New York City and Toronto. In Command HSY serves on the board of directors and the executive committee of the fashion institute he graduated from. His brand is one of Pakistan’s most recognised fashion labels and employs over 350 people and six stores internationally, with the flagship housed in Lahore. He is considered one of our country’s most powerful people. TV Celebrity HSY hosts the very successful and one of the most-watched prime-time talk show ‘Tonite With HSY’ on a leading TV channel. Master Of All Trades HSY is not just a leading fashion and jewellery designer, he’s also an ace choreographer, an articulate talk show host as well as a prominent philanthropist. HSY Gives Back HSY is constantly partnering up with a number of different NGOs to help raise awareness and generate funds for issues that deeply affect Pakistan. Some organisations that he has worked with are the Care Foundation, the KASHF Foundation and the Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust.