Introduction to SHEWORKS Pakistan Company
The week began with an introductory visit to the company SHEWORKs, established in 2020. During the orientation, we were taken through the different departments operating within the company. The building consists of three floors, each dedicated to a specific area: embroidery, sewing studio, pattern making and cutting, and the product development/design studio. Each department functions independently but remains interconnected through continuous communication, ensuring smooth workflow and timely production.
SHEWORKs focuses on heritage textiles and aims to promote sustainability, Pakistani cultural identity, and women’s empowerment. The brand transforms traditional craftsmanship into contemporary products such as shalwar kameez, home interior items, footwear, and bags. Their themes draw from geometric heritage patterns, floral and artistic elements, and bold design choices that reflect Pakistan’s rich design history. The company emphasizes preserving cultural aesthetics while presenting them in a modern, functional format suitable for everyday use.
Atmosphere:
The workspace atmosphere felt calm but hardworking—cold winter mornings combined with the sound of sewing machines created a focused environment. Employees were quietly engaged in their tasks, and communication mainly revolved around project discussions and planning. My supervisor and the department head were actively involved in reviewing schedules and preparing for an upcoming product launch set for next month, an annual routine for the company.
Daily Routine:
Employees usually arrive after 9 a.m., especially during winter. They begin by warming up their workspace and continuing tasks from the previous day to meet deadlines. My supervisor moved between departments to ensure progress while overseeing multiple ongoing projects, such as dress front–back development, home interior items, and new design concepts. Later in the day, the team held a meeting to finalize products, discuss fabric material choices, refurbishment possibilities, and review sample pieces like crochet blouses and handbags.
I worked alongside my intern fellow, Fatima, and we were assigned small organizational tasks. Our first task was to sort paperwork into separate pocket files, including layout drawings of dresses, motifs, sleeves, necklines, and tie-design concepts. Later, we prepared an overview of a heritage product sample. These samples were hand-embroidered textiles, approximately 100 years old. The colors were bold, and the motifs strongly reflected traditional cultural aesthetics. We documented six fabric samples, noting their significance and craftsmanship. The company plans to refurbish these heritage textiles into modern cushion designs, preserving the cultural essence while creating functional interior pieces.
Our task continued with sorting and organizing paperwork. We then visited the embroidery studio, where the supervisor discussed with the embroidery team how to incorporate additional space around the heritage fabric samples, such as adding complementary floral motifs, to preserve and enhance the original design when converting them into cushions. After that, we conducted research on leftover or scrappy fabrics, exploring ideas for products made from small textile remnants, aligning with sustainability goals and reducing waste. Towards the end of the day, new sample products arrived. We labeled each sample with details like color, sleeve type, and material. The samples included crochet full sleeves (red, cream/white, black), crochet cap sleeves (2 cream, 1 beige, 1 black), and crochet bags (black sequin bag, cream floral bag, and black crochet bag). This helped us understand how variety, colorways, and finishing are documented for production and cataloging.
Our final task for the week involved tracing a floral motif onto tracing paper. This step was important to create a neat and accurate outline, which would be used during embroidery development. After tracing, we checked the motif with our supervisor for approval and noted any adjustments or refinements needed. I also learned about the importance of precision and consistency when preparing designs for handwork, as these small details impact the final quality and aesthetic of the products.
During the week, I realized how much effort goes into creating unique, handcrafted products. Every piece reflected the skill, patience, and dedication of the employees, showing that their work is not just production but an art in itself. I also gained insight into how a slow fashion brand operates, prioritizing quality over quantity, sustainability, and cultural preservation. It was inspiring to see how thoughtful design decisions, careful material selection, and hands-on work come together to create products that are meaningful, long-lasting, and environmentally conscious. This experience helped me appreciate the value of slow fashion and the importance of maintaining authenticity in design.
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