As we celebrate International Women’s Day, there is no better time to honour those who redefine the boundaries of female agency. Amna Ilyas stands as a powerful testament to this spirit – a woman who has successfully navigated the shift from being a muse to becoming an author of her own narrative.

From the high-octane runways of fashion to the nuanced sets of tv & cinema, Amna has redefined what it means to be a modern auteur. After years of collaborating with industry titans, she is stepping into a new authorship zone, launching her own clothing brand as a natural extension of her identity. Her transition into acting – marked by standout performances in serials and films – was driven by a desire for emotional honesty over fleeting validation. Having learned from legends, today, she stands as a vocal advocate for diversity and a powerhouse performer choosing roles that challenge the status quo and calm the soul.

AK: To mark International Women’s Day, what would you say to women trying to find their voice in an industry that often overlooks their true value?
AI: I would like to see women building a relationship with themselves that does not rely on applause. In life, you will inevitably navigate seasons of silence where external appreciation is nowhere to be found. There will be moments when your hard work goes uncelebrated, or times when you achieve something you feel is monumental, yet the world fails to recognise it. In those moments, it is vital to remain anchored in your own truth and to know your worth without a shadow of a doubt. True confidence is not tied to external validation; it is the quiet, unwavering faith that you are enough, exactly as you are. Carry that faith within you so that your value isn't something others can give or take away. In a world that is often silent when you need a cheer, my best advice to women is this: “Always be the first to clap for yourself.”

AK: In an industry that often pressures women to conform to certain tropes or standards, how has the power of saying "no" helped you protect your integrity and mental well-being as a woman?
AI: I believe in setting boundaries with dignity. You can put your point across firmly without losing your politeness. As women, we often feel a social pressure to over-explain our decisions to justify our authority. This is something I am actively working on – learning that "No" or a clear directive is a complete sentence .Being a female leader is certainly not easy; it comes with silent, heavy challenges. But by staying true to my own leadership style, I am proving that you don’t have to be loud to be heard, and you don’t have to be aggressive to be in charge.

AK: You’ve successfully transitioned from being a muse for designers to being the CEO of your own brand “Ufaq”. What does female leadership mean to you in a workspace that has traditionally been male-dominated?
AI: Being a female CEO comes with a set of "unspoken" challenges. In my work, I frequently collaborate with men – and while many are supportive, there is a persistent underlying societal conditioning.

It often places men in the default position of authority. Even when I am leading a project or am technically the senior person in the room, I often encounter subtle assumptions of doubt. There can be a quiet dismissal of my expertise, as if I might not truly understand the technicalities of the business.As a leader, my response to this is intentional: I choose to remain calm and composed. I have no desire to be rude or unnecessarily hard on people.

AK: You showcased Ufaq collection at LAAM Fashion Week. What drove the decision to move from being the face of other brands to creating your own?
AI: It was a decision rooted in a significant shift in my life. For years, I was in a phase of simply picking opportunities – taking what came my way and making the most of it. But I have now entered what I call an authorship zone. It’s a mental space where I no longer want to just be a part of someone else's vision; I want to be intentional about my own. After a decade of working with the industry's most prestigious designers, it only made sense to channel that invaluable education into something that belongs to me. I am no longer just the face of fashion; I am now the hand behind it.

AK: Your brand is described as a platform for unapologetic self-expression. How does your personal style translate into the silhouettes and fabrics of your collections?
AI: Launching my own brand felt like the natural extension of an identity I’ve been refining for years. It’s no longer just about wearing the clothes; it’s about bringing a specific vision to life through structured tailoring and experimental forms. By moving into this "authorship" zone, I’m able to use my experience in production and marketing to ensure that every silhouette screams confidence. If a design doesn't feel like a bold statement of self, it doesn't make it into the collection.

AK: Your collection explores the beauty of transition. Does this theme mirror where you are in your own life right now?
AI: Absolutely. Ufaq (The Horizon) is a direct reflection of my journey from the lens to the lead. The collection captures that precise moment of change – where the old meets the new. Throughout my career, I wasn’t just posing; I was learning the intricacies of manufacturing and visual storytelling. This collection is a tribute to that growth. It mirrors my shift from being a model who facilitates a designer's dream to being the creator who defines the dream. It’s about the beauty of finally owning your narrative.

AK: You’ve been a vocal advocate against skin-colour discrimination in the industry. Since you started, have you seen a legit shift in the industry, or is the obsession with 'fair skin' still the same old story?
AI: I believe we are finally seeing a definitive shift in the fashion industry. There is a newfound openness toward celebrating and casting women with deeper skin tones. This change is both visible and encouraging – it is, quite literally, the reason I am where I am today. Fashion has successfully started a vital conversation about what beauty looks like. However, television and film have not moved at the same pace. In some instances, they have actually regressed. On our screens, a very narrow, repetitive idea of beauty still dominates. 

Brown girls are rarely cast in leading roles or as central characters. In film, the selection is even smaller, often limited to just one or two familiar faces. This lack of representation is disheartening because visual media holds immense power. When diversity is missing from our screens, it sends a quiet, persistent message to an entire generation about what is considered acceptable or beautiful. Fashion has opened the door, but film and TV still have a long way to go to catch up.

AK: Talking acting, You traded the runway for the lens in 2019. Was there a specific moment on set where you just knew – this is where i belong?
AI: It wasn’t a sudden epiphany, but rather a slow burn. I realised that modeling had become a bit of a monotonous. As a model, you are a beautiful canvas for someone else’s art, often hidden behind the fabric and the flair. I moved into acting because I wanted to strip back those layers and show my true self. I was tired of being the canvas; I wanted to be the storyteller. Acting offers a raw, emotional depth that allows me to be seen for who I actually am, not just what I’m wearing.

AK: You’re known for gravitating toward complex characters. What was the hook in the scripts for Humraaz and Ek Aur Pakeezah that made you say ‘yes’?
AI: These two roles have allowed me to explore the weight of authority. In Hamraaz, I played SP Samia – a role that holds a very special place in my heart because of how it came to be. Originally, the character was written for a male police officer, but during my meeting with director Farooq Rind, he told me that he would only rewrite the SP as a female officer if I agreed to play her. He had specifically imagined me in the role. That level of belief from such a veteran director, combined with the script's emotional depth and my character's connection to the story, was what led me to say yes.

I’ve carried that same intentionality into my current serial, Ek Aur Pakiza, where I play Barrister Saman Ibrahim. When director Kashif Nisar reached out and sent me the first five episodes, I instantly fell in love with the writing. The response from the audience has been unbelievable, and it reaffirms my decision to choose roles wisely. I don't want to fall into the rut of working constantly just to stay in news; I want to do work that calms my soul and makes me feel good about my craft.

AK: Talking films, How excitedare you for your upcoming Punjabi movie Selyum?
AI: Looking back at 2025, reminds me shooting Seylum with Muneeb Batt – intense, physically demanding, and a very tough experience overall. But doing action was a challenge I wanted to conquer, and Alhamdulillah, it went great. Whether it’s a courtroom, a police station, or an action set, I’m focused on processing my roles in a way that feels authentic to me.

AK: Your role as Neha in Baaji portrayed ambition and vulnerability. How much of your own journey did you pour into that character?
QI: In portraying Neha, I found that I related to her emotionally, though certainly not biographically. Her raw ambition, her relentlessness, and that deep-seated desire to be seen are universal human feelings that I could tap into. However, that is where the similarities end. While I borrowed emotional truths from my own life to breathe life into her, Neha’s choices are ones I would never make. In my real life, I am committed to an ethical path – one that ensures my actions never hurt others or myself. I feel a deep responsibility to lead by example, especially for my family, my nephews, and my nieces. My job as an actor was never to justify Neha’s unethical behavior, but simply to understand her as a character. I may have shared her drive, but in reality, I am nothing like her; I believe in reaching the top without compromising my integrity.

AK: Your movie Zinda Bhaag was a massive hit. How did working with a legend like Naseeruddin Shah shape your discipline as an actress?
QI: Working with legendary Naseeruddin Shah was a masterclass in humility. He taught me that no matter how high you rise, you must remain grounded. In terms of craft, he emphasised approaching every scene with sincerity and honesty. I feel incredibly lucky to have had that experience so early in my career.

AK: You’ve consistently traded industry rivalries for genuine sisterhood. What needs to change so that women in fashion and film are collective winners rather than competitors for a single seat?
QI: I have always stood for sisterhood over rivalry. The industry only thrives when we foster a spirit of collaboration and discard the outdated notion that there is only room for one woman at the top.

I reject the narrative that we must pull each other down to succeed; in fact, when women share the screen, the impact and viewership only increase. We are finally moving past the era where people took pleasure in watching women fight. While healthy competition has its place, we now understand that our chances of success are far greater when we work together than when we try to own the room alone. This isn't just about my personal identity – it’s a collective shift toward a stronger, more intentional connection.

AK: From the intense drama to the witty roles, you seem to jump between genres effortlessly. Which genre challenges you the most, and why?
QI: When it comes to the roles I choose, I pride myself on versatility – I can do comedy, drama, and action. However, people are often surprised to hear that I find comedy and action far more challenging than drama. In drama, there is room to breathe, to read the space, and to gradually create a moment.
But comedy and action are unforgiving; they require absolute precision.
Action, as I experienced firsthand in my recent film Seylum, is incredibly difficult because it is so physically demanding. If a punch doesn't land at the exact, precise moment, the entire scene is lost. Comedy operates on that same razor's edge – the timing must be perfect. If you take even a slightly odd pause while delivering a line, the joke goes down the drain. In both genres, the "truth" of the scene has to land right then and there, without force, or it simply doesn't work. While I love the challenge of all three, action and comedy definitely demand the most out of me as a performer.

• Coordination: Umer Mushtaq
• Hair & Makeup: Nabila Salon
• Outfit’s by: Amna Ilyas
• Styling: Ehtesham Ansari
• Photography: Najam Mahmood