They’re fun, young and destined for greatness- we got together with Nishat Linen’s Girl Squad to ask them how Nishat Linen has changed their lives, their hopes, aspirations and future goals! Mahnoor Jamal, Rehmat Ajmal, Saheefa Jabbar Khattak and Zenith Irfan give us a little insight into their day to day lives an how NL You has truly encouraged them to work harder and achieve higher- have a look at how these young minds are changing social norms one step at a time below!

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Mahnoor Jamal

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How does it feel to be a part of the Nishat team?

I spent almost a week with the team and it already feels like a family. They’re a bunch of amazingly creative and most humble people I’ve ever met and I feel fortunate to be working with them

Has this experience inspired you in anyway in terms of your personal lives? 

It taught me acceptance. Then the fact that there were a lot of firsts for me during the trip, gave me the courage to open up to new experiences, to step out of my comfort zone and to push my limits. I learnt there’s always something that connects people no matter how different they may seem.

How do you think Nishat has helped you in achieving your goals?

Nishat has been a huge support when it comes to promoting my art. I think there’s nothing more an artist could ask for than getting their art recognized and appreciated by a larger audience.

How did this collaboration take place?

Shani Bhai from team Nishat stumbled upon my TEDx Islamabad talk video somehow. That’s how he found me and asked me to join NL-You as one of the influencers.

After shooting Nishat’s campaigns- how have your lives changed? 

The introvert me who would hide behind her artworks, is more confident now seeing how people reacted to me being a part of the campaign.

Rehmat Ajmal

 

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How does it feel to be apart of the Nishat team? 

It feels like what it feels like to be a part of a big family. Everyone in the team has something to offer which you can learn from and use that to grow as an individual and as a professional.

Has this experience inspired you in anyway in terms of your personal lives?

Of course, I believe that even though a person’s work and personal lives run parallel they are still interlinked. Because I have been given so much exposure in my work life it has made me a better person in my personal life and has helped me shape and mold my personality for the better.

What were your experiences like while on shoot? Who was prankster? Who takes the longest to get ready? Who’s always eating on set?

Well it think I’d take credit for being the prankster at times by crashing lame jokes without failing. But the real entertainer of the group is our social media head Usama Bilal. Quite frankly, everyone takes the normal amount of time to get ready because the sooner we get done with the shoot and the more vigilant everyone is the sooner we pack up and save ourselves time to shop!

After shooting Nishat’s campaigns- how have your lives changed? 

Well, by getting a lot of appreciation and attention. By being able to grow and explore our own selves while exploring different parts of the world. While making memories, preparing us to be more efficient and alert on set. Learning how to deal with different practical difficulties like for example quickly wrapping up a shot because of different weather constraints. It really has changed our lives by a great deal!

Was the nishat campaign the first of its kind for you?

Definitely, I had heard the concept of a shoot being model oriented or being product oriented, this kind however revolves around being experience oriented. It is one of its kind and that is why no doubt, it is earning so much appreciation.

Saheefa Jabbar Khattak

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Has this experience inspired you in anyway in terms of your personal lives?

Yes, definitely- every day with Nishat I’m experiencing new things and it is evolving me as a person. I came across these amazing people with their amazing talent and perspectives. Most importantly when I hear their views I learn, and I am able to correct my flaws. When you can actually reflect upon your flaws and work on yourself to be a better person, there’s nothing more you really want.

How do you think Nishat has helped you in achieving your goals?

Nishat gave me a platform to express the roaring beast inside me, it provided me an educated stage where I could speak louder and clearer about my ambitions and my views. Now I have followers from school and universities and all walks of lives and finally I can influence them from what I have learnt and faced and achieved. It’s always easier to preach with actions, which they can see and can relate to.

 How did this collaboration take place?

One random day I got a call from Nishat’s office for a meeting and it all started from there. Shani bhai explained to me the brand’s requirement, he came up with this whole strategy and plan of how a younger educated generation could bring a difference in changing today’s mind-set and break stereotypes.

 What were your experiences like while on shoot? Who’s was prankster? Who’s always eating on set?

Nishat is a family now, it gets hectic when we are shooting abroad. We wake up quite early and work till late but we are always sure about the end result so it keeps us motivated, plus the pampering by the team goes side by side! There wasn’t any real prankster but i made Mahoor eat red bean ice cream and for the whole time she thought it was oreo flavored- so maybe its me! All of us- Nishat models eat a lot if you had no idea about that!

Was the Nishat campaign the first of its kind for you?

Yes, of course- who ever showcased a girl in hijaab? No one would have known about her amazing talent if this campaign wouldn’t have taken place; At least I wouldn’t.

Are there any new collaborations in the works with Nishat? What can we look forward to seeing you all in?

You’ll be soon seeing a strong army of girls breaking all the stereotypes and bring a positive change. I can’t reveal much, but there’s more in the pipeline!

 Zenith Irfan

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How does it feel to be apart of the Nishat team? 

Words cannot describe how amazing it is to be part of Nishat. They never once made me feel like I was Gypsy Biker on my motorcycle. They have embraced every aspect of my persona and showered me with so many opportunities to explore. Nishat is like a second home, a home where love is not limited and where you’ll find a mother teaching you important life lessons.

Has this experience inspired you in anyway in terms of your personal lives?
Before Nishat, I would often say to myself, “So what if I ride motorcycles? It’s not a big deal for me.” Working with Nishat changed the entire perspective. I no longer consider myself as a regular motorcyclist. I now know that I am an example or perhaps a role model for the many girls out there who are struggling to achieve their dreams. Nishat has defined the entire purpose of my motorcycle travels.
How do you think Nishat has helped you in achieving your goals?
With Nishat, I don’t just get to be the face for their campaigns, I get to relive every experience and appreciate the present more. I tend to value myself and know that I am one of the lucky ones to be granted this opportunity to work with the most talented artists and photographers of Pakistan. Nishat is now the goal that I have achieved, with it I can proudly express my wanderlust side to the world and be proud to be a woman.
How did this collaboration take place? 
I remember this very clearly. I was at work – was doing this small internship job at a newspaper company and I got this call from Shani Bhai from Nishat’s team. He told me had a great opportunity in store and wanted me to be a part of it. The next thing I know, I was packing my bags to go to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, proudly showing off the ‘Liberation’ campaign’s clothes. After that phone call, my life took it’s route to the fast track and it has been on fast forward since then.
What were your experiences like while on shoot? Who was prankster? Who takes the longest to get ready? Who’s always eating on set?
Anushey took the longest to get ready-we shared our hotel rooms together and I took care of her like she was my own baby! By the end of the trip, everyone nicknamed me as ‘Mama’, because I was literally taking care of everyone.
After shooting Nishat’s campaigns- how have your lives changed? 
I now know how it is like to be a celebrity. After the campaign, my teachers at university started calling me up on their desk and saying how they loved my shoots at Nepal. It’s always great when people walk up to you and tell you how you motivated them to pursue their dreams.
Was the Nishat campaign the first of its kind for you girls? 
Definitely the first kind. Prior to this, I had never worked in an ad before. The whole dilemma of posing and photo shoots was new to me.