Born and raised in Lahore, Sundus Shaheryar (28) started her namesake label in New York after graduating from Parsons The New School for Design. The Urdu word “Sundus” translates into “finer than silk”, which perfectly describes Shaheryar’s love for rich South Asian textiles. What began as a final thesis project gradually evolved into a successful brand that is gaining popularity among celebrity stylists like Tara Swennen and Mimi Cuttrell, who style fashion icons like Gigi and Bella Hadid. ELLE chats with Shaheryar to find out more.
Sundus Shaheryar
ELLE: What was the inspiration behind your first collection?
Sundus Shaheryar: My first collection, The Porcelain Muse, was inspired by the legend of L’Inconnue de la Seine (The unknown of the River Seine). In the late 19th century, an unidentified young woman’s body was pulled out of River Seine in Paris, arousing intrigue in the city at the time. As the story goes, the pathologist who examined her was so taken by her beauty that he chose to make a cast of her face. The story inspired me to create porcelain masks of anonymous women I know, which became an elemental objet d’art.
ELLE: Your speciality is leather; tell us more.
SS: I have devoted a large portion of my education into understanding the working of the material and developed a signature leather pleat with artisans from Florence.
The signature ‘S’ pleated leather set paired with Asunder gold earring
ELLE: Who do you envision wearing your creations?
SS: Women who have an affinity for luxury, a strong inclination towards art, and an appreciation for one-of-a-kind pieces.
Sunset leather cocoon coat
ELLE: Which is your favourite piece from your latest collection?
SS: My favourite piece is the malachite finish double face minaudière, which I am planning to develop into a capsule collection. I love to style it with my all-white leather pantsuit for a statement look.
Leather pantsuit
