FARAZ ZAIDI
New York
Summary
Pioneering founder and cultural architect of the first Pakistani-American global fashion house. A visionary designer with a rare instinct for anticipating cultural shifts and shaping them through narrative, form, and craft. Faraz has spent nearly two decades building FOUND into a globally recognized movement-one that merges heritage, modernity, and identity into a distinctly American luxury language. Celebrated by Forbes, GQ, TIME, and trusted by billion-dollar corporations for creative and brand direction, he bridges artistry with strategic foresight to deliver lasting cultural and commercial impact. His work, worn by some of the world's most influential artists, athletes, and cultural leaders, has transformed storytelling into a global force and redefined the possibilities of modern American fashion.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder & Creative Director
FOUND
New York
01.2008 - Current
- Founder and creative force behind FOUND, the first Pakistani-American luxury fashion house with global cultural impact.
- Faraz built the brand from a small independent studio into a respected global name stocked across major international retailers and worn by world-famous artists, leaders, and celebrities.
- A designer, storyteller, and cultural strategist, he shapes FOUND's visual direction, creative narrative, design ethos, and long-term cultural positioning.
- Leads the conceptual development and creative direction of all collections, campaigns, and brand storytelling.
- Designs seasonal ready-to-wear collections across menswear and womenswear, uniting heritage motifs with modern American luxury.
- Crafts a signature design language rooted in cultural memory, symbolism, and identity-now recognized globally as FOUND's aesthetic.
- Featured in Forbes, GQ, TIME, Fast Company, The Guardian, and other global publications.
- Created custom work for globally sold-out tours, concerts, and high-visibility cultural moments.
- Built FOUND into a multi-continent brand, stocked in Selfridges, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's, Lane Crawford, Simons, URBN group and more.
- Developed collaborations with major corporations including Pepsi, Urban Outfitters, Selfridges, Drake, Bad Bunny and other global artists.
- Positioned FOUND at the intersection of luxury fashion, cultural narrative, and contemporary storytelling.
- Architect of FOUND's brand philosophy, weaving heritage, emotion, and collective memory into its design DNA.
- Directs all visual identity systems-lookbooks, campaigns, brand films, editorials, and marketing.
- Ensures creative consistency across product, art direction, digital, retail, and global partnerships.
- Recognized by Forbes, GQ, TIME, Fast Company, Hypebeast, Complex, and global press for innovation and cultural influence.
- Creative visionary behind collections and custom designs worn by leading world artists across music, sports, and arts.
- Directed partnerships with billion-dollar companies seeking cultural credibility and storytelling excellence.
- Built a brand with global retail presence while preserving creative independence and artistic integrity.
- Developed a design ethos that merges heritage, symbolism, and modern identity into a recognizable global aesthetic.
- Positioned FOUND as not just a fashion label, but a cultural movement rooted in narrative and purpose.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Design And Business, Mason Gross School of Arts
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, New Jersey, NJSkills
- Creative Direction & Design Leadership
- Brand Vision, Storytelling & Identity Architecture
- Cultural Strategy & Narrative Innovation
- Luxury Fashion Design & Collection Development
- Cross-Cultural Aesthetic Translation
- High-Impact Collaborations with Global Artists
- Partnership Development with Fortune 100 Brands
- Visual Direction, Campaign Development & Editorial Strategy
- Heritage-Driven Design & Craftsmanship Oversight
- Trend Forecasting & Cultural Foresight
Mission And Philosophy
Faraz's work centers on the belief that fashion is a vessel for identity, memory, and cultural storytelling. His mission is to elevate voices and narratives, bringing heritage to the global stage through design and intentional craftsmanship. He operates at the intersection of art, culture, heritage, and contemporary design, creating work that resonates emotionally, visually, and historically.
Selected Highlights
- Founder of the first globally recognized Pakistani-American luxury fashion house-establishing a new cultural chapter in American fashion.
- Recognized by Forbes, GQ, TIME, Fast Company, Hypebeast, Complex, and global press for innovation and cultural influence.
- Creative visionary behind collections and custom designs worn by leading world artists across music, sports, and arts.
- Directed partnerships with billion-dollar companies seeking cultural credibility and storytelling excellence.
- Built a brand with global retail presence while preserving creative independence and artistic integrity.
- Developed a design ethos that merges heritage, symbolism, and modern identity into a recognizable global aesthetic.
- Positioned FOUND as not just a fashion label, but a cultural movement rooted in narrative and purpose.
Timeline
Founder & Creative Director
FOUND
01.2008 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Design And Business, Mason Gross School of Arts
Rutgers University