Heera Black

After receiving a degree in graphic design at the National College of Arts in Lahore, Pakistan, I joined the Creative Department at the Young & Rubicam affiliate in Karachi. This led to a career in advertising that enabled me to gain a different perspective by creating brand identities and campaigns for textile manufacturers, fabric weavers and fashion designers. Throughout my time at college, I also worked as a model for several of the country’s top designers, which further cemented my appreciation for the beauty of Pakistani fabrics and materials. After moving to San Francisco in 1997 and starting a family, I launched a bespoke Pakistani clothing line called Rhung, or color. This experience, of successfully introducing tailored products from my country of birth to the country I now call home, inspired me to start ISLY.