Today we’d like to introduce you to Zahra Batool.
Hi Zahra, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story began in Pakistan, where art was part of my life long before fashion became my career. As a child, I could spend hours with crayons, paints, and paper, completely absorbed in creating. That passion led me to the prestigious National College of Arts in Lahore, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Textile Design and discovered how beautifully fine art and fabric could come together. In 2008, I moved to New York to pursue postgraduate studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where I began translating my artwork into dimensional garments that could move, flow, and come alive on the body.
I went on to spend nine years designing prints for leading international textile companies. Although that experience gave me a strong understanding of the commercial fashion industry, I still dreamed of creating work that felt more personal, artistic, and emotionally meaningful. I wanted to preserve the beauty of the artist’s hand in a world increasingly dominated by mass production and digital printing. That vision became ZB Couture, which I founded in 2019, followed by my first bridal collection in 2020.
I chose bridalwear because I see a wedding gown as one of the most meaningful garments a woman will ever wear—and also as an extraordinary canvas for art. Every ZB Couture design begins with an original concept inspired by nature. I sketch and individually hand-paint each motif directly onto luxurious fabrics, so the artwork is never digitally printed and no two pieces feel exactly alike. The fabric is then transformed into a made-to-order gown by skilled artisans in New York City, bringing together fine art, couture construction, thoughtful customization, and ethical production.
Building an independent brand while raising a family has not been a perfectly straight or easy journey. I have worn nearly every hat, learned through challenges, and grown the company one collection, one bride, and one brushstroke at a time. Along the way, ZB Couture has appeared at New York Bridal Fashion Week, participated in trunk shows and bridal events, collaborated with Coach, Neiman marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, and been featured in publications including Vogue, Tatler, FashionUnited, and Belle Bridal. Today, I am proud to be building a brand for women who do not simply want to wear a beautiful gown, they want to wear something personal, expressive, and unforgettable: a work of art that tells their story.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all, finding skillful team, artisans, pattern makers etc was the most challenging part of creating a couture luxury brand. But being consistent and motivated helped me through this challenge.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At heart, I am a textile artist whose canvas happens to be fabric. My work lives at the intersection of fine art and couture fashion, and I specialize in hand-painted, made-to-order bridal gowns and artistic accessories, including veils, capes, overskirts, bows, sleeves, and separates. I am best known for transforming nature-inspired floral artwork into romantic, ethereal designs that allow a bride to express her individuality while still feeling timeless and elegant. I have also worked as Live painting artist, with Coach and Neiman marcus, where I created one of kind hand bags live.
Each piece from my collection begins with an original sketch, which I personally paint directly onto the fabric using fine brushes, fabric paints, and pencils. The artwork is never digitally printed or added as an afterthought; it is carefully planned around the gown’s silhouette so that the flowers appear to grow, move, and come alive with the woman wearing them. Depending on the complexity, a single design can require dozens of hours of painting before it is constructed by skilled artisans in New York City.
What sets ZB Couture apart is the human hand and emotion visible in every piece. Our brides are not selecting a repeated print from a catalog, they are wearing artwork created with intention and often personalized through color, floral motifs, silhouette, or meaningful details. We also create in small quantities, use luxurious natural fabrics whenever possible, minimize waste, and repurpose remnants into accessories and future design development.
I am proud of the recognition and opportunities my work has received, but my greatest pride comes from remaining true to my identity as an artist while building this brand as an immigrant woman and mother. There is something incredibly moving about watching a bride see herself in a gown that began as a sketch in my studio. Knowing that my artwork becomes part of one of the most meaningful days of her life is what makes this work so special to me.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
When my father brought me Faber Castell water color pencils. He brought me from his UAE trip. I still have those pencils in my studio.
Pricing:
- 250 – 2000 USD accessories range
- 3500 – 9000 USD wedding gowns
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.zbcouture.com
- Instagram: @zbcouture_
- Facebook: Zbcouturefashion
