Local Pakistani Brands That Started from Scratch and Made It Big
In Pakistan, the road to success for a brand isn’t always paved with big budgets and fancy offices. Many of today’s most loved names started with nothing more than a dream, a lot of chai-fueled nights, and the courage to keep going when things got tough.
Here are a few inspiring local success stories that prove you don’t need to start big—you just need to start.
1. Khaadi – From a Single Loom to Global Fashion
In 1998, Shamoon Sultan opened a small store in Karachi selling handwoven fabric. No flashy marketing, no huge inventory—just pure craftsmanship. Today, Khaadi is a fashion empire with outlets across Pakistan and even in the UAE, UK, and Canada.
Lesson: A strong idea rooted in authenticity can grow beyond borders.
2. Gul Ahmed – From Trading Cloth to Leading Fashion
Gul Ahmed began as a textile trading business before Pakistan even existed. After independence, they started producing their own fabric. Fast-forward to now, and they’re one of the country’s top clothing and home textile brands.
Lesson: Don’t be afraid to evolve with the times—your brand can transform into something bigger.
3. Alkaram Studio – Stitching a Legacy
Starting as a textile mill in 1986, Alkaram slowly expanded into a full-fledged fashion retail brand. From bedsheets to ready-to-wear clothing, they proved diversification is a powerful growth strategy.
Lesson: If your brand has mastered one thing, find ways to expand without losing quality.
4. Ideas by Gul Ahmed – Building on an Existing Brand
What started as a brand extension turned into a retail giant. Ideas by Gul Ahmed took the trust customers already had in the name and offered them a complete lifestyle store experience.
Lesson: A strong parent brand can launch multiple successful products.
5. Junaid Jamshed (J.) – A Singer’s Dream Turned Fashion Reality
The late Junaid Jamshed shifted from music to modest fashion, starting with a small store. Today, J. is an international clothing and fragrance brand.
Lesson: Passion and reinvention can breathe new life into a career and a brand.