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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Focus on Fashion
The Bahamas Weekly is pleased to introduce Pakistani designer, Rizwan Ali who made his debut on the international fashion scene in 2004 with designs for beauty queens in The Bahamas. Born in Karachi, Pakistan, 25 year-old Rizwan Ali realized his passion for the arts and fashion design at the tender age of 13. His family, originally from Quetta, Pakistan, moved to Karachi to enable Rizwan and his siblings to attain a higher quality of education. Although Rizwan graduated with an associates degree in engineering two years later this talented young man found himself driven in a new direction. "My journey started off from a simple essay in school titled, 'Internet, a Blessing or Curse?' I always had a thing for pageants and it pushed me to look for work and related activity on the internet," said Ali. "I approached several organizations, but it wasn't until 2003/04 when I created my first pageant website for the Miss Bahamas World Organization." It was in 2004 that Riswan got the opportunity of a lifetime to illustrate some garment designs for Miss. Bahamas 2004, Brianna Clarke. One of his designs was chosen from a selection of submissions and his garment was showcased on the world's stage at the Miss World Beauty Pageant. It was at that point that his parents realized that fashion design was the right field for him. After some struggle in the initial stages of his new career and with the progression of time and through the evidence that he was truly talented in the area of fashion, his parents gave him their full support. It was in 2005 that he switched his focus back to his first “true love” - fashion design by enrolling in fashion school for three years, graduating with a bachelor degree from the Asian Institute of Fashion Design. From that point on Rizwan has created other websites and outfits for Bahamians.
It was Glenn Davis of Miss Grand Bahama who first used Ali's designs. "I have known Rizwan Ali from 2004 when he designed for Miss
Grand Bahama when we had the franchise for Miss Bahamas World," said Davis. "He's a great designer, and he's a pleasure to work with. Although we had some negative comments from the Bahamian public asking why are we using a designer from Pakistan, it was Rizwan who approached us. No Bahamian was us offering what he was. We are pleased he has become known in The Bahamas through our organization!" concluded Davis.
Also lending remarks on the young designer is Michelle Malcolm, President, Miss Bahamas Organization who said, "Although I have never met Rizwan in person, I can say that his
creativity is always at a high level and the young women who wear his
gowns are always noticed. I look forward to watching the evolution of
his designs in the years to come."I have known Rizwan Ali from 2004 he was the designer for Miss
Grand Bahama and when we had the franchise for Miss Bahamas World in
2004.
A Great Designer, this young man knows his job well .
it is a pleasure working with Ali .We had some negative views from the
Bahamian public asking why are we getting a designer from Pakistan,
Reason, Rizwan is willing to work with you.Pakistan is a far away
country , his designs worth the distant/ wait. and his cost for
designs are reasonable and you get what you want. A Great Designer! I
would advise anyone to use Rizwan Ali, to designed their gowns for
pageants or anything they wish. Career highlights: OCT 2004: Designed Brianna Clarke, Miss Bahamas World 2004’s evening gown for Miss World 2004 Evening Gown competition held in Sanya, People’s Republic Of China. MAY 2005: Designed Denia Nixon’s finale evening gown for Miss Universe 2005 Beauty Pageant.
JULY 2006: Full wardrobe production and website for Peandra Knowles, the winner of “International Face of the Bahamas” Modeling competition held in Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas. JAN 2008: Joined the designing team of THREDZ, one of the well-known labels of the country.
MAY 2008: Designed a cadre of exquisite cocktail dress, evening gowns and accessories for Kerel Pinder, Miss Grand Bahama World 2008. This wardrobe was exclusively designed for Miss Bahamas World 2008 Beauty Pageant held in Nassau, The Bahamas and Miss Global Queen Beauty Pageant in China.
MAY 2009: Sponsored Garelle Hudson, Miss Grand Bahama’s wardrobe for Miss Bahamas Universe 2009 Beauty Pageant in Nassau, The Bahamas. Her wardrobe included a cocktail dress, an evening gown for the “Media Red Carpet Hype” event and her finale gown.
MAY 2009: Designed two haute couture evening gowns for Kendra D. Wilkinson, Miss Bahamas World 2009 Contestant and was one of the front runners for the title of BEST DESIGNER WEAR AWARD. The Pageant was held in Nassau, The Bahamas.
OCT 2009: Wardrobe production for Tamara Colebrooke, Miss Teen Eleuthera 2009's Official Photo shoot held in Eleuthera, The Bahamas.
A Fantasy gown for Shamika Rolle, Theodore Elyett’s Miss Teen Bahamas 2009/2010’s Fashion shoot for Miss Global Teen 2010 Beauty Pageant.
JULY 2010: Designed an evening gown for Kendis Brown for Miss Bahamas 2010 Beauty Pageant. She won the coveted title of Miss Bahamas for Miss Progress International 2010 Pageant.
JULY 2012: Designed an evening gown for Rakia Rolle for Miss Bahamas 2012 Beauty Pageant. She ended up as a semifinalist.
JULY 2012: Designed an evening gown for Celeste Marshall who placed 2nd in evening gown competition and also won the coveted title of Miss Bahamas Universe 2012.
For more information and updates on our up-coming projects and collection, join us on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/rizfashion By email: rizwanmissteen@gmail.com
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