Purpose Discovers Luxury: Guest Lecture by Kulsum Shadab Wahab at JD Institute of Fashion Technology

At JD Institute of Fashion Technology, our vision for design education extends far beyond beauty- it’s to develop thinkers, makers, and leaders who can pair creativity with conscience. Final-year design students at our school had a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see this philosophy put into action on Thursday, 4th September 2025, as they attended an inspirational guest lecture by Kulsum Shadab Wahab, Founder of Ara Lumiere and Ara Pret.

Bringing a voice of purpose to luxury fashion

Kulsum Shadab Wahab is known for pushing the boundaries of luxury. In Ara Lumiere, she brought survivors of acid attacks together as women who design pretty headpieces and accessories styled on global runways. Ara Pret applied this philosophy to ready-to-wear, marrying artisanship, narrative, and ethical entrepreneurship.

In her own words, “Fashion can be beautiful, but it becomes meaningful only when it carries a story of impact.” This was the philosophy she based her lecture upon and the tone for a session that resonated forcefully with students poised to create their own design destiny.

Kulsum began by sharing her personal story before founding Ara—a story of adversity, courage, and unstoppable will to empower women. Students listened with rapt attention as she related the early pains of creating a mission-driven brand in an industry that is often associated with glamour and decadence.

She candidly shared the process of creating a market niche for purpose-driven luxury and the milestones marking Ara’s rise in global fashion. From doubt to accolades, her journey came with a lesson every young designer ought never to forget: tenacity and authenticity of purpose are non-negotiable when building something long-lasting.

Scaling impact without losing integrity

One of the most powerful aspects of the session was Kulsum’s perspective on building a brand without compromising its authenticity. She spoke of how Ara Lumiere was once a small project and developed into a well-known platform worldwide, never once losing its focus on empowerment.

To the students, this was an epiphany—success need not be at the cost of values. Kulsum dared them to set their deal-breakers right from the start: whether it was sustainability, diversity, or ethical sourcing, purpose intentionality can chart a brand’s direction even in the face of industry pressure.

Switching gears to creativity, Kulsum explained to the class that Ara’s design process is one where each collection has a focus around a story. Fashion clothing to her is not a thing—it is a conversation. Students were encouraged to think of design as a form of expression that does not follow trends.

She highlighted the fact that cultural stories and imprints of individuality are capable of creating enduring impressions, and reminded learners that in a world of mass production, authenticity is the actual differentiator.

The session concluded with an educational Q&A session, with learners posing germane questions on entrepreneurship, creative block, and overcoming industry challenges.

One of the students inquired about how to stay motivated when ideas get rejected. Kulsum’s reply was terse yet spine-chilling: “Rejection is redirection. Trust your voice, because authenticity will always find its audience.”

Another inquired about how to balance creativity with commercial relevance. Kulsum referenced her own experiences at balancing the two, reminding students that business and design are not mutually exclusive, but complementary forces.

Her candour and transparency turned the session into an actual conversation, not a monologue. Learning for generations of designers to come

The guest lecture was not just an introduction to the world of high fashion—it was a lesson on intention, determination, and candour. Students learned takeaways that they could apply immediately:

• That obstacles are stepping stones to enormous triumph.
• That intention is not a constraint, but a driving differentiator.
• Such a design is worthwhile when it contains stories, voice, and integrity.

For JD Institute of Fashion Technology final-year students, who were on the cusp of beginning their careers, Kulsum’s phrases were advice and encouragement simultaneously.

At JD Institute of Fashion Technology, we take the pledge of creating an atmosphere in which young designers can interact with thought leaders who capture the spirit of the future of conscious creativity. Kulsum Shadab Wahab’s guest lecture was a testimony to this pledge—a session that not only inspired students but also made them realise, even more, how design can become a positive force of change.

As the students broke up from the session, there were discussions in the corridors, sketchbooks were packed to capacity with new ideas, and hearts were ignited with the belief that design, when applied with purpose, can change lives.