Zerritta Flowers was created in 1972 by founder Shahnaz Saigal and her passion for flowers, bouquets, and event management. Shahnaz Saigal travelled to Japan on a business trip with her husband Mushtaq 52 years ago, and it was there that she took classes in Ikebana, the Japanese style of bouquetmaking. While in Japan for almost two months, she decided to embark on a course in Ikebana (Japanese art of flower arrangement) and instantly began to find a new life in her new passion. Shahnaz was originally a tennis superstar, she had been a champion in Pakistan for seven consecutive years, even playing internationally and at group stages of Wimbledon. She wanted a new challenge and Zerritta was precisely that. This new focus on flower arrangement soon transformed into a full-fledged business upon her return to Pakistan. She also starred in her TV shows and set up a floral school to offer classes in flower arrangement to empower thousands of women.
In 1972 Shahnaz opened her first shop in the Intercontinental Hotel (today’s Pearl Continental Hotel). After this decision there was no stopping the blossoming businesswoman who introduced more outlets, held exhibitions and in 1970 she helped to form the Floral Art Society of Pakistan with Begum Raana Liaquat Ali Khan as its patron.
Shahnaz learned that her daughter-in-law Saira (married to her eldest son) shared her passion for flowers and thus began teaching her about the world of flowers, the concept behind Zerritta Flowers, the business model and foremost about quality, something Zerrita Flowers continues to be renowned for.
Saira Saigal officially took over Zerritta Flowers in 1999 and gradually began branching the brand away from hotels, which had seen a myriad of security issues due to sectarian violence in Karachi. The first independent Zerritta Flowers shop opened on Main Khayaban-e-Shahbaz in 2007. Soon after, others opened in Ocean Mall, Main Shaheed-e-Millat Rd. and finally a garden enclave and fresh flower cum artificial shop at Dolmen Mall Clifton.
Saira further expanded the business by introducing stellar event management services; arranging private parties, weddings and corporate events. In 2002 she began the concept of luxury weddings, which took off and she continued to educate herself, completing courses in event management, commercial floristry and completed a specialized Master’s degree in Business and Time Management for successful flower deliveries.
Since its inception 54 years ago, there has been no looking back for Zerritta Flowers. The company has grown exponentially, with a successful online store and delivery worldwide to over 200 destinations and to all four of Pakistan’s major cities, with many more exciting developments to be announced, including a complete online solution for people living abroad who want to send flowers and gifts to their friends and loved ones in Pakistan and other destinations.