Khadijah Shah was born to former Finance Minister, Salman Shah.[5] She is a granddaughter of former Chief of Army Staff, Asif Nawaz Janjua.[5] Shah went to the United Kingdom for her studies and attended the London School of Economics.[5] After completing her education, she returned to Pakistan and entered its fashion industry.[5]
Shah is married and has three children: two sons and a daughter.[6] She holds dual citizenship.[7]
Career
Shah's early exposure to fashion design was influenced by her mother, Aneela, a fashion designer.[5] The family's fashion brand, Élan, introduced in 2004, was named after Aneela's nickname, underscoring her influence on Shah's career trajectory.[5]
During the early stages of her career, Shah primarily engaged with a select clientele in the high-end market, thus establishing her brand.[5] In 2012, Shah formed a partnership with Hussain Mills Ltd., and ventured into the lawn market.[5] Élan lawn was launched on March 15, 2012, which helped expand the brand.[5][6]
In 2014, Shah entered into a partnership with Sapphire Mills, assuming the role of creative director.[5] Concurrently, she continued to manage and develop her independent brand, Élan.[5]
In 2017, Shah left Sapphire Mills and started another fashion label called Zaha.[5][8] Élan is also available in India.[9][10]
In 2023, she was arrested for "conspiring against the state of Pakistan due to alleged participation in the 9 May Corps Commander House attack in Pakistan.[11][12]
In August 2024, the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf appointed Shah as its national lead for strategic communications and outreach for the election analysis and management cell.[13]