Omar Mansoor, a British-Pakistani couture fashion designer, launched his eponymous brand in 2008. He is the first designer of Pakistani origin to have showcased at London Fashion Week. Mansoor has been presenting his collections at LFW regularly since then.
“I design for a confident woman who likes to experiment with her looks,” Mansoor told Good Times.
Mansoor is known for his special occasion gowns and eveningwear. His designs have appeared at Britain’s Royal Ascot, Bahrain and Paris Fashion Week, and Top Model UK. He has also been featured in Vogue UK, the Huffington Post, and the Financial Times.
“A good fashion designer is someone who follows the pulse of the market with a signature style,” Mansoor told Discover Pakistan.
Celebrities, European aristocracy, and Middle Eastern Royalty alike have worn his pieces to red carpet events. BBC journalist Susanna Reid wore one of Mansoor’s designs to cover the Oscars in 2010.
Omar Mansoor advocates for ethical fashion
Mansoor is a 2008 graduate of the London College of Fashion. In school, he would design with elements of embellishment and embroidery from his native Pakistan. This attracted the attention of his teachers.
“My sketches, [my teacher Geoff Owen] would ask me about the embellishments I drew, which represented embroidery and sequins, and would make samples to demonstrate,” he recalled. “One day he suggested I prepare a show for London Fashion Week which was always a dream for me. My first show in 2008 was a success.”
Omar Mansoor, Fashion Diversity
Shortly after graduating, he launched his own label, OM London, of which he operates as Fashion Director. Mansoor introduced new techniques and materials to the western market. He uses handwoven Pakistani silk and a signature “charpai” weave that is common in Pakistan.
“The locals here are very open, especially when it comes to fashion and lifestyle,” said Mansoor. “If you are creative and you have something new to offer, then you are here to stay.”
Mansoor is dedicated to incorporating sustainable practices into his creations. In 2019 OM London received a certification in sustainable fashion from the University of the Arts London. His Spring/Summer 2020 line reflected the blues and greens of oceans and forests. The dresses were also made using fair trade fabrics and ethical practices.
Omar Mansoor
Mansoor also mentors students pursuing various degrees at the University of the Arts London. He joined as a Professional Mentor in 2015.
Omar Mansoor comes from a textile family
Originally hailing from Faisalabad, Pakistan, Mansoor travelled to the UK to attend fashion school. Mansoor belongs to the fourth generation of a well-known textile family. By the age of 15, he was already making clothes.
As a boy, Mansoor did not do well in school. However, “the one subject I excelled in was Art, and with my family being in the textile industry, I decided to combine the two areas and get into fashion,” he told The Platform. “My parents were supportive, having decided that one doctor in the extended family was more than enough.”
Omar Mansoor for the 2022 Royal Ascot Games
Most recently, Mansoor designed for the Royal Ascot games in summer 2022. The games are a five-day annual event encompassing thoroughbred horse racing, food, drink, and fashion.
Omar Mansoor, Royal Ascot
“Royal Ascot has a strict dress code,” Mansoor explained to Good Times. “Failure to adhere can result in refusal of entry. The length of the dress to the width of shoulder straps, all matters precisely while polo is all about frocks in white or lighter tones that are chic and less formal, while head gear is the attendee’s choice.”
Omar Mansoor, Royal Ascot
The fabrics are made from sustainable viscose fiber, specifically derived from wood and pulp. These materials have low emission and water pollution during production.
Omar Mansoor showcased his Spring/Summer 2022 line, Efflorescence, at London Fashion Week in September 2021.
“My designs are very Asian, representing a fusion of culture – I use pure silks, chiffons and other similar fabrics, all lightly embroidered,” he said. “They’re designed for the western market but all have an eastern style to them in terms of fabrics and embroidery.”
“Every woman wants to have impactful look that’s also easy to wear – that’s all we keep in mind while draping the mannequins,” said in an interview with Fashion Central. “Understated style depicting charm is part of our design aesthetics.”
