My personal style signifier is to incorporate traditional south Asian motifs and techniques – including block print, ajrakh, batik and chunari – into my wardrobe. I grew up in Pakistan and we didn’t have a large industry of ready-to-wear clothes in the country at the time. I would go to a shop, choose cloth, lace and trim, and then have my clothes stitched by a tailor. Now that I’m in Los Angeles, I’m drawn to patterns that remind me of my heritage and I love brands such as Markhor, which was founded by two Pakistani entrepreneurs. When I visit my hometown, I will still buy some fabric and make myself a skirt or top that I pair with modern, minimal silhouettes.

The last thing that I bought and loved was a pair of silver Jhumka earrings that I found when visiting my family in Islamabad. They look like little chandeliers, jazz up any ensemble and remind me of home.

The entrance to Shahid’s Los Angeles home
The entrance to Shahid’s Los Angeles home © Rich Stapleton
Shahid’s silver Jhumka earrings
Shahid’s silver Jhumka earrings © Rich Stapleton

And on my wishlist is a brass masala dabba from Diaspora Co, for storing spices. I like supporting a fellow south-Asian, female-owned brand and I respect its focus on ethical sourcing. I’d add coriander, turmeric, cardamon and Kashmiri chilli to my dabba – the spices I use all the time for some of my favourite foods, from daal to kheer.

The place I can’t wait to go back to is Istanbul – it’s the perfect crossroads of east and west and I’ve always felt like I belong there. It has the most spectacular architecture, food, people and craftsmanship. I like to stay at Soho House, get a Turkish breakfast spread from Cafe Privato, and go to the Grand Bazaar where I can spend days lost in the beautiful fabrics and antiques. Cafe Privato, Timarci Sokak 3B, Galata, Istanbul (+90212-293 2055)

My favourite room in my house is the kitchen – no surprise there. It’s very much at the centre of the house and my husband and I love having people over, eating food and arguing over whose cooking is better. My best memories have always been made by sharing a meal at the dinner table, so I try to facilitate those moments as much as I can. In cooking you can reconnect with your body, the food system, culture and each other. Most days I fry some eggs, sprinkle them with turmeric and share them with my husband; it can be as simple as that.

Shahid at home, wearing a Tory Burch dress
Shahid at home, wearing a Tory Burch dress © Rich Stapleton
Soho House in Istanbul
Soho House in Istanbul © Getty Images

The best souvenir I’ve brought home is an intricate handwoven rug from Pakistan. Its rust and terracotta patterns really warm up my living room. It was a gift from my mother when I got my first apartment, and I’ve had it ever since. 

The best book I’ve read in the past year is From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily and Finding Home by American actress Tembi Locke. When Locke’s husband died, she and her daughter went to his small hometown in Sicily to see his mother and try to deal with the grief. In many ways Locke doesn’t fit in, but the longer she spends there, immersed in the community, the more it begins to feel like home. It’s a powerful and moving memoir of finding healing through food, family and love. 

Goober candle, $30, burkedecor.com
Goober candle, $30, burkedecor.com

A recent “find” is a quirky candle by Burke Decor. I discovered it in a little boutique in Venice Beach and I love the playfulness and unexpectedness of the shape. Whenever I host dinner parties I like to decorate the table with a medley of candles, and this one will definitely be added to the mix. Goober Candle by Talbot & Yoon, $30

My style icon is Zoë Kravitz. She’s creative and she always dresses for herself – her style is casual and effortless.

Her handwoven Pakistani rug in her home
Her handwoven Pakistani rug in her home © Rich Stapleton
Our Place drinking glasses, £45 for four
Our Place drinking glasses, £45 for four

The best gift I’ve given recently is a beautiful, sustainably made bag by Cuyana. I gave it to a dear friend as a birthday gift and had their initials embossed on it. 

And the best gift I’ve received recently is an Ayurvedic treatment at Surya Spa in Santa Monica. I’ve come back around to Ayurvedic medicine recently – it influenced many of our ways of healing at home in Pakistan.

If I weren’t doing what I do, I would be working full-time in humanitarian aid, with a focus on helping refugees. I was very fortunate growing up to have a loving family who supported my dreams, but I was also surrounded by a lot of poverty and oppression, especially for women. I wanted to understand, support and help so I spent most of my adolescence volunteering pretty much anywhere I could get my foot in the door, from women’s prisons to an earthquake relief camp. I love grassroots work and in particular women’s financial empowerment. When you empower a woman to earn a dollar, she invests 90 per cent into her community. For men it’s typically 30-40 per cent, so it really is the best way to move society forward. 

An object I would never part with is my Pilates reformer that I keep in my little home gym. I started practicing Pilates a few years ago when I developed back pain from travelling too often. Since then I’ve been able to strengthen my core, develop greater flexibility and build deeper muscle awareness. I try to use it three times a week because it helps to get me moving.

Shahid’s kitchen – her favourite rom in her home
Shahid’s kitchen – her favourite rom in her home © Rich Stapleton
Inside Shahid’s home in Los Angeles
Inside Shahid’s home in Los Angeles © Rich Stapleton

The one artist whose work I would collect if I could is Frida Kahlo – she was a genius and I love how courageously she shared her suffering. My favourite piece by her is Self Portrait in a Velvet Dress – she looks regal and her face holds a stoic self-confidence.

In my fridge you’ll always find oat milk for making haldi doodh [turmeric lattes], chai or smoothies in the morning; iced matcha for an afternoon pick-me-up; berries – I’ll have them in yoghurt, drinks, or on their own; and kombucha because I love the fruity, bubbly flavour as I wind down in the evening.

The last music I downloaded was from Coke Studio Pakistan – a mix, both new and old, of folk music, qawwali and other traditional genres with a modern beat. Some great renditions include “Alif Allah” by Arif Lohar and Meesha Shafi and “Afreen Afreen” by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

I have a collection of novels from inspiring female authors who cultivate empathy and understanding, such as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah. My favourite is probably Arundahti Roy’s The Ministry of Utmost Happiness.

Theragun Pro, $599
Theragun Pro, $599

The gadget I couldn’t do without is my Theragun for sore muscles. I use it after a workout, or when I’ve been sitting at my desk all day.  

An indulgence I would never forgo is eating all things fruity – pie, trifle, tarts, you name it. I have always had a sweet tooth. When I was younger my dream was to be able to afford a lifetime supply of gummy bears; that may still be my dream. I like finding emerging bakers to support and one of my favourites is @almondmilkmaiden in Ojai, California.

Her home’s interior is highlighted with hints of gold
Her home’s interior is highlighted with hints of gold © Rich Stapleton
Shahid likes to incorporate traditional south Asian motifs and techniques into her wardrobe
Shahid likes to incorporate traditional south Asian motifs and techniques into her wardrobe © Rich Stapleton

The beauty staple I’m never without is Coola’s white tea sunscreen. I wear sunscreen everyday and I like this one because it’s lightweight and is both an SPF and moisturiser in one. I put it on after I wash my face each morning, and feel like I have done a good thing for myself.

My wellbeing guru is my mother. She has a remedy for everything. A teaspoon of ajwain seeds and a bowl of kitchari for a bad tummy; bone broth for a sore throat; the list goes on. A lot of her remedies come from Ayurvedic teachings, and they always work.

If I could make one lasting change in the world it would be to help create a more just and equitable world for women, girls and everyone who faces discrimination. There isn’t a single country that has achieved gender parity, and in many places we’re moving backwards. I’ve tried to lend my support, whether it’s helping girls get education through the Malala Fund, or building a primarily female team at Our Place.

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