New Delhi

“Asma Gulzar isn’t just designing clothes—she’s designing her own path. A mind that refuses limits and a heart that thrives on passion. Keep creating, keep inspiring,” reads a social media post from one of the world’s leading fashion designers.

Today, Asma Gulzar is a prominent name in the Indo-fusion fashion space. Her stores in Delhi showcase a blend of Indo-Western and Indo-Arab designs, reflecting her distinctive aesthetic.

Her latest venture is a signature perfume from her brand, launched in Delhi during her annual Dawat-e-Iftar. The event has become one of the capital’s most talked-about Iftar gatherings, attended by eminent citizens, religious leaders, and fashion icons.

Asma Gulzar receiving SMSE  award from industriAlist Kumarmangalam Birla

“Life is a blessing,” says the celebrity designer, whose journey has been marked by resilience and determination.

Four years ago, Asma was diagnosed with a serious, life-threatening illness. “I was devastated and kept asking, ‘Why me?’ But soon I gathered myself and decided to face the disease with positivity and mindfulness,” she told Anjali Ada in an interview for Awaz-the Voice.

Following surgery, she underwent treatment for nearly two and a half months. “Initially, a family member would accompany me. Then I decided I must fight it alone.”

Asma Gulzar receiving an award from Dharmendra

She began visiting the hospital by herself. “After each session, I would pack the drip bags attached to my body into a plastic bag and hide it under my dress. From the hospital, I would go straight to my store in a nearby mall,” she recalled.

That same indomitable spirit defines how Asma runs her business today.

Her designs have found their way into Bollywood wardrobes, with celebrities such as Malaika Arora, Nushrratt Bharuccha, Pooja Batra, Celina Jaitly, and Shama Sikander, among others, wearing her creations.

Beyond commercial success, she has earned artistic recognition as well. Many in the industry look up to her for guidance. She has collaborated with international production houses, including serving as lead designer for BollyGoods Edition 2. She also played a key role in the Asian Trunk Show in London and has appeared on BBC London.

Asma Gulzar

For Asma, becoming a designer was never just about formal training at the National Institute of Fashion Technology. “Design is in my blood,” she says.

Growing up in Lucknow, she was particular about what she wore. She would brief the neighbourhood tailor—“Masterji”—in detail about her designs. “I even made him promise not to share my designs with anyone, not even my sister,” she recalls with a smile.

She believes creativity is innate. “You can see it in every corner of my home,” she says.

As a designer, her priority has always been to stand out. Interestingly, during her fashion shows, audiences often end up ordering the outfit she herself is wearing, rather than the ones showcased on models.

Asma Gulzar with actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood

Today, Asma runs a full-fledged business and manages a factory. “I started working at 17 and have been in this field for 20 years. It wasn’t easy,” she says.

She interned with Manish Malhotra, a crucial step in her journey. “In our industry, no matter how many degrees you have, unless you’ve worked with established names, it’s difficult to be taken seriously.”

While she acknowledges that today’s designers benefit from social media and artificial intelligence tools, she has clear advice: “Be original. Never copy designs. Step out of your comfort zone to gain exposure.”

Contrary to common perceptions about Muslim women facing barriers in unconventional careers, Asma says she received unwavering support from her family. “Some relatives and members of the community disapproved of a young Muslim girl taking up fashion and even modelling her own designs. But my family never let that overshadow my ambitions.”

She is the recipient of many awards including the one instituted by ther government for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, and from the bodies which focus of women of substance.

Asma Gulzar with actor  Nushrratt Bharuccha

She credits her grandmother for shaping her outlook. “She always told me never to give up. I live by three D’s—Determination, Dedication, and Discipline—and they have guided me throughout.”

Running a factory, she admits, is no easy task for a woman. “I had no prior experience. I started with just a sewing machine in my garage.”

Today, her brand has a global footprint, and she is planning to launch an exclusive menswear line. Her design philosophy remains rooted in her tagline: “Original beauty with elegance and comfort.”

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Deeply spiritual, Asma believes her journey has been guided by faith. “God has held my hand through it all,” she says, adding that success is never possible without divine blessings.

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