For a large number of women in Kashmir marriage means the end of their dreams and beginning of a mundane life – managing house chores and taking care of children. But, for Faiqa Reshi it was completely opposite. Marriage provided wings to her dreams and unflinching support for her passion to become a makeup artist and hairstylist.
A fashion enthusiast since her childhood, 29-year-old Faiqa of posh Hyderpora neighbourhood of Srinagar city wanted to do a fashion designing course after completing her class 12. But she did not receive any support from her family.
“Due to conservative nature of my family, particularly my father, my decision to do something in fashion and beauty industry was completely opposed. I was asked to pursue regular education, and did BSc in Environmental Science from SP College and later on joined Kashmir University for master’s degree in Finance and Control (MFC),” says Faiqa.
While doing her PG, Faiqa got married to a businessman and she found an unlikely supporter in the form of her husband. The marriage proved a turning point in her life.
It was not easy for her to pursue her dream because her parents, as well as, in-laws were against the decision but it was her dedication and love for fashion that made it possible.
“My husband not only supported my idea but helped in every possible way to turn it into reality, which is in the form of Jezebel in front of you,” says Faiqa. “He found one of the best makeup training institutes. I went to Dubai to get trained at a renowned makeup and hair institute, and received certification from International Makeup Association (IMA), an award-winning world body of makeup artists.”
After receiving the training, Faiqa first started to freelance in New Delhi for some time. In 2015, she established her own studio at Hyderpora in the name of Jezebel by Faiqa to provide makeup and hairdos.
“Jezebel was the name of an ancient queen of Israel, who was very courageous and always stood by for what she believed in. That is why I have named my saloon as Jezebel,” says Faiqa.
All the makeup and hairstyle work of Faiqa is based on the inspiration from the renowned Russian hairstylist Georgiy Kot.
Faiqa says she is highly conscious of the quality of the products, she is applying to her clients and never compromises with that. “Before applying makeup, I do skin treatments to make sure there is no damage to a person. Same is the case when I make a hairstyle. All the makeup products, I use are of high quality and top brands, no local product is used at my salon,” she claims.
Faiqa says whether a package is of high or low price, the products used are always branded and same for every client.
She says that her main clientele comprises of brides in marriage season but adds that women in Kashmir have also now gained confidence and interest to visit salons often just to keep themselves groomed in their daily life.
Jezebel Studio is exclusively made for makeup and hairstyles, no other beauty services are presently provided there.
“I want brides to come directly to the studio. In Kashmir, brides are not allowed to come out and makeup is done at home which does not allow us for quality work,” says Faiqa.
The dreams of Faiqa are big and she is not going to be happy running a salon only. She has already planned for next level. She wants to make Jezebel a renowned brand in Kashmir where a bride will get everything, from beauty services to wedding collections, as well as, wedding planning.
She believes all the things related to the wedding should be made available under one roof, be it makeup or wedding planning. As of now, she has introduced wedding planning under the Jezebel brand at Jammu from past one year and is planning to introduce the same in the valley.
The next step is to start wedding collection in Srinagar. “It will be quite different from the regular stuff with completely floral themes and other designing related to it which are not yet introduced in Kashmir and that too at affordable price” she claims.
Fond of Dubai fashion, Faiqa believes fashion is to carry yourself confidently no matter what one is wearing.
When asked why she has preferred Jammu over Kashmir for introducing the wedding planning first, Faiqa says in Kashmir wedding planning is still a family affair and mostly done by relatives. “Whereas they ask professional wedding planners to provide this service in Jammu. But now that is also changing, I have seen many families in Srinagar, also availing the service of wedding planners but it is still the beginning and I believe it is going to be a big market in coming future and I wanted to be ready to leap into that,” says Faiqa confidently.
Within a short span of time, her company, Jezebel – the wedding planners, is doing well in Jammu. “In Jammu, a marriage is booked few weeks before, while as in Kashmir the planning for a wedding commences from six months to a year before the wedding day,” she says.
So far, Faiqa is happy with her growing business as well as earnings. She has employees to manage her wedding planning and other affairs but she does all the styling and makeup work herself for her clients.
With the help of her husband, she makes use of social media to promote her work.
The only difficulty she faces sometimes is due to the conservative nature of some people. However, the younger generation, she says, is very open and loves her work.
Faiqa signs off by saying that her bit towards the society is to create the sense of beauty among the people, which would contribute to employment creation as well.