n a cosmos of extroverts, Sana Anver continues to be an introvert. It is, as she understands, a balancing act, but given her talent, honed over the last eight years, and her portfolio (which can be found on her Instagram account), it’s understandable. Her instagram is exciting and defining. It’s not something she does to make herself a beguiling figure within industry ranks in Pakistan or abroad. It is, as she says, who she is.

“I’m comfortable in my skin,” begins Sana Anver. “I don’t feel the need to attend every event, and I’m okay with missing out. People might have stopped inviting me because I often don’t show up or I’m traveling for work. I don’t attend every event even when I’m in town—not to snub anyone.”

I’m thinking in my head that Sana Anver could be a model herself. We do trail off slightly, and she admits that offers have come, but she has politely declined. “I only have one public Instagram account, and it rarely gives a glimpse of my personal life. You won’t see my family or close friends on it. I’m private, and I don’t feel the need to have a separate personal account. I mostly post about work—collaborations, outfits, and brands I’m working with. Balancing an introverted personality in an extroverted industry isn’t as hard as it seems. My work speaks for itself, and that’s what matters most. I’ve been lucky in that sense; my work hasn’t been affected by my introversion.”

Sana Anver has been a stylist, a dedicated one, for the last eight years. When she started out in the local industry, she worked for free because she knew that this was what she wanted to do. But as time passed and her work gained importance, she went from working for free to to being compensated.

These days, Sana Anver is making waves because it has been a year since she started working with Sonam Kapoor, Rhea Kapoor, and most recently, with Kareena Kapoor-Khan.

The story, however, must begin, with the Kapoor sisters (Sonam and Rhea), as they played a significant role in Sana Anver’s rise to popularity in Bollywood. Consequently, her profile in Pakistan has also soared. Fashion industry insiders, journalists, and fellow stylists want to know how it all happened. But being a private person, Sana Anver is not someone who will ride on the coattails of these big Hindi film stars. Let’s just call it hardwork and serendipity.

To understand what Sana got right, in both Pakistan and India, it’s important to first understand the role of a stylist.

“As a stylist, when it comes to putting a look together, first, you get a brief from your client, whether it’s for a brand’s TVC, a campaign, or a celebrity attending an event. But perhaps even more important is sourcing. You need to reach out to designers. The client will outline the event or campaign details, the colors, and the style they want—whether it’s an Eastern look or a Western one. Based on that brief, you decide........

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