Sanam Saeed takes the cover of The Sunday Times in Mariyam D. Rizwan, bringing her effortless presence and quiet confidence to our latest issue.
In an intimate conversation, Sanam opens up about women, money and the importance of building a future on your own terms. From financial independence and making confident choices to the changing way women navigate their relationship with money, she shares an honest perspective on what it means to truly stand on your own two feet.
A conversation about independence, ambition and owning the choices that shape your life — with Sanam Saeed.
How would you describe Sanam Saeed in three words?
Unique, patient, Honest
What does your personal style say about you?
I choose comfort before fashion. I choose practical attire over statements. I like to wear organic real materials and clean cuts. I love a bit of color in my wardrobe. I’d say my style says I have a no nonsense, approachable, easily adaptable and confident personality.
What’s one fashion piece you could never live without?
Any kind of button down over sized shirt.
Who has influenced your style the most?
My mother
You recently made your Cannes debut. What was going through your mind when you stepped onto that red carpet for the first time?
I was actually the most relaxed and confident I’ve ever felt because of who I was wearing (Hussain Rehar) and why I was there (representing women in film in South Asia)
What does luxury mean to you?
High quality
What’s something you’ve become more confident about with age?
Saying No, trusting my intuition and my choices
What does glamour mean to you today — is it about the clothes, the confidence, or the woman wearing them?
It’s the way in which someone inhabits what they’re wearing. I think it’s about the confidence that the woman carries while wearing anything. Some women look extremely glamorous even in their pajamas.
If you could walk into any fashion house or designer’s archive and choose one look to wear, whose would you choose?
YSL
What does this chapter of your life feel like?
A huge sense of responsibility like I’ve never felt before has suddenly become my prime focus.
As an independent woman what is the importance of having your own finance means for you?
It means being self-reliant, it means having urgency, having a safety net if your left on your own. Financial independence is imperative for every woman to have and it is her parents responsibility to empower her and make sure she can stand on her own two feet before sharing her life with anyone.
Do you buy clothes online?
It really depends on what I’m shopping for. Online shopping gives us the opportunity to explore a wider range of options, compare products and discover things that may not always be accessible in person. I also think it’s particularly valuable for overseas Pakistanis who miss the culture, fashion and clothing from back home. Within Pakistan as well, online shopping is gaining momentum and becoming an increasingly important part of how people discover and access products.
What do you think of payment plan options being introduced in Pakistan?
Payment plans have become a way of making both aspirational and functional purchases more accessible, affordable and convenient. In many parts of the world, they give people greater flexibility in how they manage their finances. Since these options are still relatively limited in Pakistan, I think it’s worth welcoming and exploring payment plans as another way of making products and experiences more accessible to consumers.
