Mehmood Bhatti is an internationally acclaimed Pakistani French fashion designer based in Paris. Mehmood is originally from Lahore and a graduate of the Government College University; in 1977 he left for Paris for an MBA degree “without any money.[1] However, he soon found employment at a retail boutique, first as a cleaner, then a packager, working his way up to become a gregarious salesman. By 1980, he was interested to pursue a career in fashion and opened his own retail outlet.[1] Within a short span of time, he expanded his business; today, there are over five hundred designers working for him.[2] His multi-million dollar transatlantic company Bhatti is located in ten countries and had a turnover of 150 million francs, for which he received a special medallion “Travail et Merite” from the Paris City Hall.[3]
On 23 March 2004 Bhatti received the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, the highest honour bestowed to a civilian. Much of Bhatti’s early life has been documented in his autobiography, Paris Mein Doosra Janam (Another Life in Paris) and the docu-film La Verite Si Je Mens (The Truth If I Lie).[1] In 1990 he was recognized as best manufacturer of the Sentier, and in 1996 his documentary was seen by more than nine million people.[3] In 2010, Bhatti praised the Lahore Fashion Week, claiming it was "a befitting reply to terrorists."[4] Bhatti is known to have been involved in an affair with Pakistani television actress Resham.