BRINGING Bollywood glamour to Blackburn was one shopaholic businesswoman’s glittering dream.

And that is just what Razia Anwar has done. She told us about her Aladdin’s cave of authentic Asian party dresses shipped thousands of miles to her front door.

WITH a collection of more than 100 dresses all fit for the red carpet, it’s a wonder fashion lover Razia Anwar gets any work done.

Originally from Whalley Range, Razia moved away from Blackburn for 10 years and when she returned found there was nowhere to buy glamorous Asian clothes.

So she decided to take matters into her own hands and open up her own boutique to fill the gap in the market. The small shop, which opened in May, is full to the brim with dresses, in every colour of the rainbow and all with hand sewn sequins from top to bottom.

Most of the dresses are straight from the factories of Dubai and Pakistan and after her next trip, India too.

The 32-year-old, who now lives off Preston New Road said: “I lived in London and Nottingham and I realised that when I moved back here four years ago there were no Asian glamour wear shops at all.

“I had been used to being able to get these clothes when I lived away and have a wardrobe full, but no one in Blackburn and the surrounding areas had anything like them.

“The Asian clothes shops we do have are more focused on casual wear. So I felt there was a major need for such a shop.

However her dream was put on hold while she set up and opened her first business, The Treatment Room, also in Railway Road, in order to put into practice her beautician training.

Four years later, a nearby premises became available and Razia saw her big chance and took it with both hands.

“It’s hard work to say the least,“ admits Anwar. “Running two businesses is never going to be easy so to have them close by is a major advantage. I tend to open Tiaras and Tantrums as an appointment only so that I can be more hands on in the Treatment Room. But some of my customers cross over anyway.

“Most of my dresses are Asian glamour, they can be worn to weddings, or any kind of special occasion.

“English girls have also liked them worn without the trousers and scarf. But we also do Western prom dresses and bridesmaid dresses, handbags and jewellery.”

The temptation to shut up shop and have a day dressing up is probably never far from her mind, but Razia is too busy for play these days.

She said: “I used to have three jobs in London so this is probably easier! My friends say I’m mad.

“They say they would want to run their own businesses but they say they couldn’t do the hours I do. I don’t really have a social life, but I love travelling so I always put in the hours so that I can take time to go away. It is hard work but I do feel quite proud I am the first one in my family to run my own business and now I have two.”

Razia often works 12 plus hour days, seven days a week. Often her only time off work is to travel to various foreign countries to order new stock.

So far this year she has visited Dubai and Pakistan and in November she plans to go to Mumbai in India to extend her fashion line further.

“These places have such amazing dresses, and there are countless numbers of wholesalers there where girls model clothes for you as you shop, it’s like your own private fashion show.” says Razia with a smile. “I can’t say no to any of them though, they are amazing! I love glam and I realised the other day I have taken three dresses from the shop for myself already. And I have far too many shoes.

“I have been a shopoholic since I was 21 so this shop really is a dream come true.

“When I open a delivery of dresses. I feel like a little girl in a candy shop.”