The Vision Behind The Brand: In Conversation With Nida Abbas

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Nida Abbas, CEO and founder, to explore the story behind the brand, the inspiration for the collections, and the vision that drives the business forward. Discover the journey, values, and creative process that shape every piece we create.

What inspired you to start Knightsbridge Interiors?

It’s funny, because if you’d asked me a few years ago, I never would’ve described myself as having any kind of artistic flair. I was always the logical, black-and-white thinker, which is why I studied Business at Warwick University in the UK where I was born and so I’d always dreamed of working in the corporate world. But alas life had other plans! I moved to Pakistan, and soon after, I had my twins, Hassan and Hussain.

I’m an individual that gives 100% to whatever I do, so when I became a mum, I threw myself into raising my boys. But like many first-time mums, I started to feel like I was losing a sense of who I was beyond being a mother; I struggled to find my identity outside of that role.

I've always been ambitious, and I have my Mamoo to thank for that. He would always encourage us to reach for the stars and instilled in us the confidence that no dream is ever too big or unattainable. While I knew I couldn't juggle a corporate job with raising twins, I also realised that I'd always had a passion for interiors. I've loved decorating and setting up spaces for as long as I can remember. So, I decided to give it a go and studied Interior Design at Indus Valley School of Art & Architecture in Karachi - and I absolutely loved it; the rest is history.

Now, I can proudly say that I'm not only a mum to my beautiful boys, but also to my third child, Knightsbridge Interiors. Starting this business was a way for me to combine my business background with this newfound creative side. So, when people ask me what inspired me to start this business, I'd say it served as the perfect opportunity to rediscover who I am; it enabled me to reconnect with myself. I truly see my business as an extension of me and it's been incredibly fulfilling Alhamdullilah.

What is the reason behind the unprecedented growth of your brand?

I believe our success can be attributed to several key factors and the first and most important one is Allah’s blessings. Above all, I believe it’s the grace of Allah that has guided us through every step and has brought Knightsbridge Interiors to where it is today.

The second is our dedication to our charitable initiatives. We’ve always been committed to giving back to the community and I feel Allah has rewarded us for that immensely Alhamdullilah.

Next is the incredible support we have received from family, friends, outlet staff and clients. The encouragement and belief from those around us have played a huge role in our success. They have really lifted me up and instilled confidence in me when I’ve questioned my abilities. I’ve had friends and family organising exhibitions with me until the early hours of the morning, discussing pricing and design strategies with me, promoting my brand, I have had clients I’ve never met messaging and encouraging me, the list is endless and I feel finding people that genuinely want the best for you and are ready to support you in establishing your brand is so rare to find in today's world so to say I'm grateful to them all would be a understatement. Knightsbridge Interiors isn’t just the result of my determination, passion, and hard work; it’s a labor of love from everyone who has supported me along the way.

Another has to be how dedicated I am to providing exceptional customer service. I’m  focused on building strong, long-term relationships with our clients by providing personalized, responsive services that makes them feel valued. Usually as a brand grows the relationship between the client and CEO becomes distant but I love interacting with clients regardless of the growth of my business and I feel the clients value that as much as I do. My clients know I’m just a message away. I have a return policy because I have belief in my products and quality, I replace any item broken during transit with no questions asked and I love advising clients on what products I think will elevate their home. If there’s a product I believe would complement a clients house, even if it’s from another brand I will refer them elsewhere as I see all women-led businesses as a community. I believe our home is our sanctuary and I feel honoured clients trust me to help build theirs with them.

Our innovation is another. I don’t follow trends; I set them. Being a market leader, rather than a follower, has allowed us to stay ahead of our competitors. Our clients continue to shop with us because of our quality and attention to detail. Our commitment to quality and creating forward-thinking designs that set the standard and lead the market has truly earned us a reputation for excellence.

Lastly but by no means the least important, our strong supplier and labor relationships. Having a reliable, dedicated and hard working marble supplier that manages our skilled labor has been crucial in ensuring that we can deliver our products on time, without compromising on quality.

Each of these elements has helped us grow into what we are today, and we continue to build on these foundations for the future InshaAllah.

What has been the best part of starting your own company?

A huge part of it is the chance to give back through our Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, and the way it has allowed us to make a positive impact in the community.

But what really stands out to me are the people I’ve met along the way. Building connections with clients and colleagues that have now become some of my closest friends has been so rewarding. And honestly, I’ve learned so much about myself throughout this process. You don’t realize how much you're capable of until you're in it, and running my own business has taught me about both my capabilities and my weaknesses.

Then there's the most personal part of this journey - my children. They've been my biggest advocates. Knightsbridge Interiors has become the backdrop for so many cherished memories as they work alongside me; helping with design ideas, store setups, and even contributing suggestions to improve our products. Watching their creativity and passion shine through has been incredibly fulfilling. It’s one thing when a child makes a parent proud, but when they’re proud of you? That’s a joy that words can’t fully capture. I’m deeply grateful that this venture has allowed me to be a source of inspiration and pride for them. Hassan and Hussain, I know you’ll be inspecting this interview with great excitement so I want to thank you for making both motherhood and establishing Knightsbridge Interiors so incredibly fulfilling. 

What would be your advice to other women debating on starting their own company?

My advice to anyone, man or woman, debating whether to start their own company would be to first assess the kind of person you are. Don’t start something just because others are doing it or because it seems like the trend. Do it because it’s something you truly want to pursue and are passionate about.

Starting a business is not easy. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to wake up at 4 a.m. to prepare for exhibitions before my children wake up at 6 a.m. It’s those early mornings and tough days that make you question if it’s all worth it. But what gets you through those moments is your deep desire to do it for yourself.

If you can see yourself doing this - if it really fuels you - then go for it. There’s a quote I love: “Don’t fear failure, fear a lifetime of regrets about what might have been.” And I don’t think that only applies to business; it’s a mindset I believe everyone should adopt in life. You’ll never know what you’re truly capable of until you take that leap. So, if you have that drive, trust yourself, go for it and I wish you all the best.