Weekend Routine of Zain Ahmad: "I Refrain from Shopping Completely"
In the bustling city of Lahore, Pakistan, Zain Ahmad, a 29-year-old fashion designer, is making waves in the world of contemporary South Asian design. As the founder and creative director of Rastah, Ahmad's label has gained international recognition, with A-list celebrities like Zayn Malik, Timothée Chalamet, Barry Keoghan, Justin Bieber, and Anil Kapoor sporting his designs.
On Saturday mornings, Ahmad takes a leisurely approach to the day, sleeping in and waking up between 11am and 1pm. After a well-deserved rest, he begins his day with his first meal around 3-4pm. His culinary preference leans towards the exotic, with a favourite restaurant in Lahore, Gaijin, serving a contemporary take on biryani, barbecued lamb chops, spinach, mint relish, and local fish ceviche.
Ahmad's workday begins in the afternoon, where he dedicates his time to deep-work tasks such as design, sales, or seeking feedback from his colleagues. In the evening, if he's in the mood for going out, he prefers sushi. If it's a late day at the office, he will opt for chicken biryani or order Chinese takeout.
When it comes to his personal style, Ahmad only wears Rastah clothing. He dislikes the fashion trend of very skinny tapered chinos, paired with a big logo belt. Instead, his label offers a contemporary take on traditional South Asian styles, with influences from The Great Gatsby, Casino, and Goodfellas shaping the design and aesthetic direction of his September 2025 collection, which was also inspired by the Hotel Metropole in Karachi.
Ahmad's vision for Rastah includes opening stores in Lahore, New York, and potentially London. He is currently working towards the opening of a private showroom in Lahore and is gearing up to open Rastah's debut store in New York at the start of 2026.
In addition to expanding his physical presence, Ahmad also wants to collaborate with a big celebrity, release a sneaker, and expand into leather accessories. He recently finished watching The Bear and is currently bingeing The Studio with Seth Rogen.
Nylah Salam Zain Ahmad, the man behind Rastah, has made a significant impact on the fashion industry, becoming the first Pakistani brand to be featured at London Fashion Week in 2023. His design inspirations primarily come from film and cinema, reflecting his cinematic approach to fashion.
[1] Source: The Great Gatsby-inspired Rastah collection
Ahmad's personal style, unaffected by the fashion trend of skinny tapered chinos and big logo belts, reflects a contemporary take on traditional South Asian styles, with influences from films like The Great Gatsby, Casino, and Goodfellas shaping his September 2025 collection.
In his plans for Rastah, Ahmad aims to collaborate with a big celebrity, release a sneaker, and expand into leather accessories, hoping to establish stores in Lahore, New York, and potentially London, with his debut store in New York set to open at the start of 2026.
