Dawn Images

In the present era, real fashion has shifted from the live runway into fashion photographers’ studios, where revolutionary new ideas are being put to the test to create exciting new concepts in fashion and design. And millennial designers are meeting the challenge head-on.

Sensing the urgency of the fashion vibe of their generation that is forever on the lookout for edgy, new concepts, they are catering to their generation’s sartorial needs by stepping out of their comfort zones and playing with materials and accessories to create something really exciting and avant-garde.

These are the best of times and also the worst of times for fashion. The best because, as a new legion of fashion talent steps in to take up the reins of the country’s style-scape, fresh new ideas are being raised and put to the test.

The worst because they don’t always click due to inexperience, and the results can be devastating in fashion terms, as witnessed on some unedited social media fashion campaigns and runway shows.

Fortunately, there are those around who reinstate our faith in the new breed of Gen-Y designers and emerging fashion talent from fashion schools.

Black and gold has remained a timeless and classic fashion statement, high in style, effortlessly fluid in essence and edgy in its approach to fashion.

As a recent photo-shoot showcases, millennials have now taken the classic theme of black and gold and stylised it to make it their own through gilded breast plates, chains and chunky ethnic necklaces, gold leather trench coats and short jackets, and the result is simply mesmerising.

Unisex designer Zubair Shah is primarily a western-wear designer who launched his label in 2021 — during the coronavirus pandemic — and has since grown exponentially, with many young celebrities endorsing his sense of style by sporting his designs on the red carpet, at events and elsewhere.

Here, he presents what he describes as a ‘wild-at-he(art)’ line of formal-wear that pulls at the heartstrings of his generation through extreme styling, accessories and cuts.

He has taken various influences in fashion design from the past decades, and even generations, and paired them with newer concepts in style to create an entirely new look for the Gen-Y crowd, especially with his womenswear.

A hip formal black jacket is seen embellished with different-sized gold buttons to dazzling effect. Straight, form-fitting pants with flared bottoms are accentuated by a chunky chain across the front of the waistline. Geometrical shapes cut in highly reflective gold acrylic are strategically placed on the breast and the sleeves of a jacket to form a design pattern that catches the eye.

Hummingbird outline effigies in gold thread are finely embroidered on a black formal sherwani. A full-on gold sequin tuxedo with black lapels is worn over a black cummerbund tuxedo belt and bow tie with matching trousers. A velvet jacket with gold streaks running through the fabric, and a zippered top with flared bottom pants with zippers running down the length of the trousers — these are particularly enticing in Zubair Shah’s menswear collection.

Meanwhile, a gilded breast plate — sprayed with gold enamel and moulded out of sturdy plastic — worn over separate black, fitted long sleeves and a matching long skirt; a feather motif in gold sequins on the shoulder lapel on a black western ensemble; a long matte gold self-print dress with spaghetti straps — make for fetching womenswear.

The hairstyling and grooming on the photoshoot by make-up wiz Saraphine Andrew at The Trio Salon further accentuates the millennials’ need to create an everlasting style statement that will not only make heads turn at fashion-savvy dos but also create long-lasting ripples, buzz and hype on the social media circuit.

As we navigate our way through the 21st century, we continue to pick up certain newer, positive influences while discarding the older and more obsolete ones. So why should fashion have to be any different?

In doing so, we are paving the way for future generations that will no doubt learn from our experiences while initiating and creating new trends and style statements of their own.

Originally published in Dawn, ICON, June 15, 2025