Star signs, London skylines, henna-patterned hands – designer and Anthropologie collaborator Zakee Shariff's prints are a joyful celebration of her life experiences.
It’s hard not to fall in love with her vibrant garments. It’s even harder not to have a favourite Zakee print. There’s something in her work which resonates with people on a personal level – an element that she consciously weaves into her work but still finds difficult to explain.
A trained Reiki healer, intuitive channeller and life coach, Zakee's prints are infused with her unique spirituality and energy. She seeks to “translate experiences” through her garments, and often feels herself to be a conduit for designs which “come through” her from a deeper source. This spiritual viewpoint doesn’t end with the printmaker’s creative process, it influences all aspects of her brand; from her nurturing relationships with manufacturers, to her firm stance against ‘fast fashion’.
Raised by East African-Indian parents in Pakistan and London, Zakee's life has overflowed with eclectic cultural influences since childhood. From Hindu goddesses, to planetary movements, her multitude of inspirations (and incurable curiosity) are scattered throughout her vivid prints.
We sat down with Zakee to explore her colourful world of fashion, spirituality and multiculturalism, and to discover how these influences shaped her new collection for Anthropologie.
Meet the Maker:
Zakee Shariff
Words by Holly Hartzenberg
So, Zakee, what first sparked your love of fashion?
I remember my mother dressing amazing women in her boutique in Pakistan when I little. She worked as a textile and fashion designer and had her own brand. I loved watching her create outfits and put things together on the models and the women who visited. I think that’s where it all began.
Your mother seems to have played an important role in your aesthetic development. Are elements of her style still present in your work?
Her colourful, Bohemian seventies looks are still a huge inspiration to me. She was trained to cut patterns by Barbara Hulanicki of BIBA, so there is a very specific style to her cut. I still have some garments in my collection with her pattern cutting workings in them!
How does your East African-Indian heritage influence your designs?
Hugely! My parents were both raised in Africa. My mother taught me a great deal about being African-Indian and what it meant to be bi-cultural. She is fluent in Indian languages and Swahili from her time in Tanzania. She also loves African music. Even her Indian cooking has an African flavour. My Indian grandparents lived with us when I was young, which really immersed me in their culture. I was fascinated by Indian colours and textiles as well as my grandparents’ spirituality. I draw on all of these elements to inspire my work.
London, Kenya, Pakistan - your work stems from a complex web of influences, how do you distil these voices into a singular vision?
My past is full of spirituality and multiculturalism. My family and life experiences have given me a passion for colour. My identity as a Londoner adds a street element to my work. It feels strange to consider how I distil these parts of myself. For me, they’re just who I am as a whole.
You speak about “translating experience” through your design, can you explain this idea?
I feel that I subconsciously channel my experiences through my drawings; the good, the bad, the painful. I also believe it’s possible to infuse art with a more intangible, emotional element. When people respond to a design, I think they connect with this emotional level. Each person responds differently. It’s a difficult thing to explain in words - but it’s something you can feel.
What is the experience you sought to translate through your new Anthropologie collection?
The prints in this collection are deeply personal to me. Love Leopard is a favourite, throwback print from my archives, while Queen B Moon really channels who I am as a designer today. I wanted to feature the Healing piece in the collection, as it’s a design people have strong responses to. There are also new designs, like Starmoon, which are something brand new and special for Anthropologie. I hope the collections translates the heart of the Zakee Shariff brand to people.
I remember my mother dressing amazing women in her boutique in Pakistan when I little. She worked as a textile and fashion designer and had her own brand. I loved watching her create outfits and put things together on the models and the women who visited. I think that’s where it all began.
Your mother seems to have played an important role in your aesthetic development. Are elements of her style still present in your work?
Her colourful, Bohemian seventies looks are still a huge inspiration to me. She was trained to cut patterns by Barbara Hulanicki of BIBA, so there is a very specific style to her cut. I still have some garments in my collection with her pattern cutting workings in them!
How does your East African-Indian heritage influence your designs?
Hugely! My parents were both raised in Africa. My mother taught me a great deal about being African-Indian and what it meant to be bi-cultural. She is fluent in Indian languages and Swahili from her time in Tanzania. She also loves African music. Even her Indian cooking has an African flavour. My Indian grandparents lived with us when I was young, which really immersed me in their culture. I was fascinated by Indian colours and textiles as well as my grandparents’ spirituality. I draw on all of these elements to inspire my work.
London, Kenya, Pakistan - your work stems from a complex web of influences, how do you distil these voices into a singular vision?
My past is full of spirituality and multiculturalism. My family and life experiences have given me a passion for colour. My identity as a Londoner adds a street element to my work. It feels strange to consider how I distil these parts of myself. For me, they’re just who I am as a whole.
You speak about “translating experience” through your design, can you explain this idea?
I feel that I subconsciously channel my experiences through my drawings; the good, the bad, the painful. I also believe it’s possible to infuse art with a more intangible, emotional element. When people respond to a design, I think they connect with this emotional level. Each person responds differently. It’s a difficult thing to explain in words - but it’s something you can feel.
What is the experience you sought to translate through your new Anthropologie collection?
The prints in this collection are deeply personal to me. Love Leopard is a favourite, throwback print from my archives, while Queen B Moon really channels who I am as a designer today. I wanted to feature the Healing piece in the collection, as it’s a design people have strong responses to. There are also new designs, like Starmoon, which are something brand new and special for Anthropologie. I hope the collections translates the heart of the Zakee Shariff brand to people.
You dedicated your Anthropologie collection to someone special: your daughter. How has your daughter – and motherhood – influenced your art?
Having a child was a big struggle for me. When my daughter arrived after six challenging years, I felt like she was the biggest gift. I feel truly blessed to have her. She is such an unusual being – very full of joy and extremely kind. An old soul. I feel as if I’ve known her my entire life. She’s been a very important teacher for me. She makes me want to be my very best so that she knows she can achieve anything in this world.
Motherhood was a huge rite of passage. I completely changed as a person in so many ways – many of which colour my art. I feel I have become more humble and more empathetic – especially towards my own mother’s experiences. I feel I understand her journey better now.
Stars and rainbows are scattered – not just across your prints – but also your skin. Can you tell us a little about your tattoos, and why you’re drawn to these motifs?
I’ve always been drawn to stars and rainbows ever since I was a child. I have experienced trauma in my life and these motifs represent a sense of escape for me. They serve as a reminder of the good that exists in this world.
My star and rainbow tattoos mark two major life events. I wanted to commemorate the joy these events represented in my life, not the pain they also represented. They’re a permanent reminder to myself of how far I have come.
The star print which appears in my textiles was created after I lost a very dear person in my life when I was 28 – a real mother figure. I wanted to create something that made me feel she was watching over me, her children and her family. So I created my first “all over” star print. Afterwards I became known for my star textiles. I’m also obsessed with space, so these images often appear naturally and intuitively throughout my work.
Speaking of stars: what are your thoughts on astrology? Are you a classic balance-seeking Libra?
I’m absolutely a true Libra but there are lots of other elements to consider: your rising sign, your moon sign, the time of your birth etc. Balance is a big part of who I am, but there is a great deal of Earth in my birth chart, so I’m extremely grounded and organised too.
I’m actually studying astrology at the moment. I’m fascinated by all things ‘space’ –the planets, their movements; the universe – as well as the mystical side governing star signs. Don’t get me started, I could go on and on!
What is your spiritual outlook and how does it influence your design work?
I’m completely fascinated by spirituality, but I don’t follow a particular religion. My beliefs have been shaped by my personal spiritual experiences. I’ve had many. I believe there are many unknowns at work – beyond our perception – which can influence us. Ever since I was a child I have felt that something told me to draw the way I do. This sense led me to become a trained channeller as an adult - it still shapes my art (and my life) to this day.
Having a child was a big struggle for me. When my daughter arrived after six challenging years, I felt like she was the biggest gift. I feel truly blessed to have her. She is such an unusual being – very full of joy and extremely kind. An old soul. I feel as if I’ve known her my entire life. She’s been a very important teacher for me. She makes me want to be my very best so that she knows she can achieve anything in this world.
Motherhood was a huge rite of passage. I completely changed as a person in so many ways – many of which colour my art. I feel I have become more humble and more empathetic – especially towards my own mother’s experiences. I feel I understand her journey better now.
Stars and rainbows are scattered – not just across your prints – but also your skin. Can you tell us a little about your tattoos, and why you’re drawn to these motifs?
I’ve always been drawn to stars and rainbows ever since I was a child. I have experienced trauma in my life and these motifs represent a sense of escape for me. They serve as a reminder of the good that exists in this world.
My star and rainbow tattoos mark two major life events. I wanted to commemorate the joy these events represented in my life, not the pain they also represented. They’re a permanent reminder to myself of how far I have come.
The star print which appears in my textiles was created after I lost a very dear person in my life when I was 28 – a real mother figure. I wanted to create something that made me feel she was watching over me, her children and her family. So I created my first “all over” star print. Afterwards I became known for my star textiles. I’m also obsessed with space, so these images often appear naturally and intuitively throughout my work.
Speaking of stars: what are your thoughts on astrology? Are you a classic balance-seeking Libra?
I’m absolutely a true Libra but there are lots of other elements to consider: your rising sign, your moon sign, the time of your birth etc. Balance is a big part of who I am, but there is a great deal of Earth in my birth chart, so I’m extremely grounded and organised too.
I’m actually studying astrology at the moment. I’m fascinated by all things ‘space’ –the planets, their movements; the universe – as well as the mystical side governing star signs. Don’t get me started, I could go on and on!
What is your spiritual outlook and how does it influence your design work?
I’m completely fascinated by spirituality, but I don’t follow a particular religion. My beliefs have been shaped by my personal spiritual experiences. I’ve had many. I believe there are many unknowns at work – beyond our perception – which can influence us. Ever since I was a child I have felt that something told me to draw the way I do. This sense led me to become a trained channeller as an adult - it still shapes my art (and my life) to this day.
Your rippling red and pink dress for Anthropologie is named “Shakti”. Can you tell us a little more about what shakti means to you?
Although my parents were atheists, I was raised to believe in karma. My grandparents’ influence meant my childhood was full of Hindu imagery and philosophy. Over the past decade, I’ve become especially interested in ancient gods and goddesses. Shakti is a Hindu goddess, representing creative power and strength.
I chose the name Shakti for a few reasons. The garments are sewn in a factory in India. I felt the name of a strong, Hindu goddess could forge a positive connection with the people sewing my garments. My work is also all about empowering the women who wear my clothes and prints.I like to think that some of this strong, goddess energy may be with each woman who wears a Shakti dress.
Your Healing Hands print seems to be drawn directly from your experience as a Reiki practitioner. How did you first come to Reiki?
I’ve always been fascinated by hands-on healing. I trained in massage in 1993, then in Reiki in 2001. Funnily enough, the Healing Hands print was actually created before I began my Reiki journey. It came from henna patterns on hands (which I was obsessed with as a child).
Does spirituality have a place in business? How have your beliefs guided the development of the Zakee Shariff brand?
In 2007 I worked with a life coach, together with a group of 13 amazing people, who all wanted to run their businesses from a more spiritual mindset. It has taught me to be more conscious and mindful when working with people. My textiles have always been about peace, love and healing through beauty. Bringing this spiritual element to the way I interact in business felt like a natural progression.
I also read a book called Shakti Leadership, which Gwyneth Paltrow recommended on her Goop podcast. It really tied together the training I had taken. You describe yourself as a “born collaborator”, what draws you to collaborative projects?
I’ve always been very grounded in leadership roles. I can hold an idea for a group of people and keep projects centred. The team around me between 1998-2005 was such a dynamic community. I loved working with them to make my early collections come alive. I’m a good communicator and I really love championing people’s strengths. When you take this approach with a whole team, you can turn everyone’s strengths into something really amazing.
You often speak out against “fast fashion”. How does the industry need to change to rebalance our relationship with fashion?
I’ve really become disillusioned with the fashion industry over the past decade. Watching brands persuade consumers to buy things one day and throw them away the next.
I’ve always been passionate about making garments which last - which can be passed down the generations. Since 1998 I’ve been striving to make unique things that touch people’s hearts - that they can own, love and feel special in. I want my clothes to be cared for, passed on and cherished.
I still get messages from women who still have their 15-20 year old Zakee Shariff garments and either can’t bear to part with them or have passed them down to their kids! This for me means I’ve done my job well. Timeless creativity is key for me.
In terms of production, I work exclusively with a factory in India. We have built a strong relationship of trust and small, steady growth. I look after them and respect them and vice versa. I want to grow with people. Equality is key. I am full of respect for everyone who contributes to the creation of a Zakee Shariff garment and I ensure everyone in my supply chain is treated fairly.
You often quote the likes of Rupi Kaur on your Instagram. Which authors & poets most inspire you?
I discovered Rupi Kaur a few years ago. I connect with her rawness and rebel nature, especially since she comes from an Indian family who experienced a lot of hardship. I connect with what her parents went through as immigrants - my parents shared that experience. My list of favourites is endless, though. I connect with so many. I couldn’t narrow it down!
Life coach, healer, artist, designer; you have many strings to your bow. If you could add one more talent to the collection, what would it be?
I’ve always dreamed of training as a psychologist.
Although my parents were atheists, I was raised to believe in karma. My grandparents’ influence meant my childhood was full of Hindu imagery and philosophy. Over the past decade, I’ve become especially interested in ancient gods and goddesses. Shakti is a Hindu goddess, representing creative power and strength.
I chose the name Shakti for a few reasons. The garments are sewn in a factory in India. I felt the name of a strong, Hindu goddess could forge a positive connection with the people sewing my garments. My work is also all about empowering the women who wear my clothes and prints.I like to think that some of this strong, goddess energy may be with each woman who wears a Shakti dress.
Your Healing Hands print seems to be drawn directly from your experience as a Reiki practitioner. How did you first come to Reiki?
I’ve always been fascinated by hands-on healing. I trained in massage in 1993, then in Reiki in 2001. Funnily enough, the Healing Hands print was actually created before I began my Reiki journey. It came from henna patterns on hands (which I was obsessed with as a child).
Does spirituality have a place in business? How have your beliefs guided the development of the Zakee Shariff brand?
In 2007 I worked with a life coach, together with a group of 13 amazing people, who all wanted to run their businesses from a more spiritual mindset. It has taught me to be more conscious and mindful when working with people. My textiles have always been about peace, love and healing through beauty. Bringing this spiritual element to the way I interact in business felt like a natural progression.
I also read a book called Shakti Leadership, which Gwyneth Paltrow recommended on her Goop podcast. It really tied together the training I had taken. You describe yourself as a “born collaborator”, what draws you to collaborative projects?
I’ve always been very grounded in leadership roles. I can hold an idea for a group of people and keep projects centred. The team around me between 1998-2005 was such a dynamic community. I loved working with them to make my early collections come alive. I’m a good communicator and I really love championing people’s strengths. When you take this approach with a whole team, you can turn everyone’s strengths into something really amazing.
You often speak out against “fast fashion”. How does the industry need to change to rebalance our relationship with fashion?
I’ve really become disillusioned with the fashion industry over the past decade. Watching brands persuade consumers to buy things one day and throw them away the next.
I’ve always been passionate about making garments which last - which can be passed down the generations. Since 1998 I’ve been striving to make unique things that touch people’s hearts - that they can own, love and feel special in. I want my clothes to be cared for, passed on and cherished.
I still get messages from women who still have their 15-20 year old Zakee Shariff garments and either can’t bear to part with them or have passed them down to their kids! This for me means I’ve done my job well. Timeless creativity is key for me.
In terms of production, I work exclusively with a factory in India. We have built a strong relationship of trust and small, steady growth. I look after them and respect them and vice versa. I want to grow with people. Equality is key. I am full of respect for everyone who contributes to the creation of a Zakee Shariff garment and I ensure everyone in my supply chain is treated fairly.
You often quote the likes of Rupi Kaur on your Instagram. Which authors & poets most inspire you?
I discovered Rupi Kaur a few years ago. I connect with her rawness and rebel nature, especially since she comes from an Indian family who experienced a lot of hardship. I connect with what her parents went through as immigrants - my parents shared that experience. My list of favourites is endless, though. I connect with so many. I couldn’t narrow it down!
Life coach, healer, artist, designer; you have many strings to your bow. If you could add one more talent to the collection, what would it be?
I’ve always dreamed of training as a psychologist.