our story

Mumtaz Mashooqullah - Dhaka, Bangladesh
Zarina Zuberi - Karachi, Pakistan

Taz was born from the stories of the women who raised us. Its name is inspired by our nani, Mumtaz Mashooqullah, a woman who lived a life of resilience and grace. Whether it be playing national-level table tennis, performing drama on stage in Dhaka, or twice migrating for Pakistan - she did it all in a saree. Our dadi, Zarina Zuberi, taught us that stitching, craftsmanship, and handwork are all languages of love, having spent decades working on hand-woven fabrics. These women were the heartbeat of our childhoods in Karachi. They were strong, humble, and independent matriarchs who didn’t just wear sarees - they lived in them. Because of them, we learnt that sarees didn’t just belong to occasions and ceremonies, but had a place in the everyday; that an unstitched yet unending garment can be a vessel for tradition, faith, and personal agency. Taz is our way of sharing that legacy with you.

Our journeys took us far from the streets of Karachi. Sasha found herself in London, New York, and the lecture halls of Cornell, where she pursued Government and Entrepreneurship and worked in consulting, while Zara moved to Montreal to study at the intersection of International Development and Psychology at McGill. Regardless of distance, we found ourselves grounded in the histories and realities that raised us, and developed a strong desire to honour where they come from while creating real, strategic impact. 

It was while living abroad that we came to appreciate the saree most and found ourselves asking why a garment that is so connected to Pakistan’s history and culture isn’t celebrated and recognized the way it deserves to be. We noticed how a new generation of Pakistani women were reaching for the saree and Taz was created to fill that space. We are a saree house rooted in quiet luxury, where we believe in the power of restraint, purpose, and creating historic pieces of art that hold memory and movement. Driven by a social enterprise model, every saree directly funds fair-wage employment, artisan equity, and education for Pakistani women through our trusted partners. Our design philosophy is rooted at the intersection of policy, history, and art - committed to reclaiming cultural memory with intent and impact. 

After years of brainstorming and hope, we are proud to share Taz with you. We hope each saree becomes a part of your story, as they have been a part of ours. 

In gratitude, 
Sasha and Zara, Co-founders