Zaftan™ by Zankhna Designs is honored to have the valuable support of an inspiring, influential and trailblazing role model – Mrs. Kristin Cooper, the First Lady of NC. We support change makers, and it is our privilege to dress real life women and everyday heroes who deserve recognition! Zaftan had the unique opportunity to dress the First Lady of North Carolina, Mrs. Kristin Cooper in our Zaftan Spring/Summer 2020 Collection. We are honored to have her wear the Alisha dress. You can catch the video of the First Lady in our Zaftan dress and shop the look on our Zaftan website. The First Lady was our Finale Show-stopper for our Zaftan Spring/Summer 2020 Fashion Show which was cancelled due to the current situation. In her exact words, “I’m proud to support Zankhna Parekh and her business. She is a role model for all ages and inspires us with her creativity and designs.” Our Zaftan team is deeply inspired by the First Lady and had an exclusive opportunity to interview her; here is what she had to say: 1. As an inspiring and trailblazing First Lady, how have you been making creative, innovative and productive use of your time during this challenging period? Our goal is to stay creative and connected during these trying times. We invited North Carolinians to perform songs and read children’s books on our series At Home with the First Lady – check them out on our social media pages using the hashtag #AtHomeWithFLONC! We also are inviting North Carolina museums and organizations to “take over” our social media platforms and share information and fun facts for a day. Personally, I have been journaling throughout the pandemic, and I will share my journal with the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for future archival purposes. We’ve also been cooking using ingredients from the garden at the Executive Mansion. 2. What empowering and uplifting message would you like to send to motivate our readers during this time? Remember to stay kind to one another – an act of kindness can go a long way. We are a strong state with strong people, and we will get through this pandemic together. 3. How does your family traditionally celebrate Labor Day and what advice would you give to North Carolinians on how to have a safe and fun Labor Day celebration? We enjoy spending holiday weekends together as a family! We’ll get takeout from one of our favorite restaurants and watch a good movie. This Labor Day Weekend will look different for us all, and I encourage everyone to remember their 3 Ws: Wear, Wait, Wash! Please visit the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services online for safety tips and the latest updates on COVID-19. Indeed, wise and inspiring words from the First Lady of NC, Mrs. Kristin Cooper. Zankhna Designs is a fashion label that supports change makers and celebrates women’s successes; the First Lady of NC is a wonderful example of a trailblazing role model. We hope you feel empowered and motivated and we wish you a happy and safe Labor Day! Follow us on social media at @designerzankhna to stay up-to-date with our special features and exclusive interviews.