Dawn Images

Pakistan’s fashion industry professionals, stylists, designers, models, choreographers, fashion writers, bloggers, content creators and influencers, celebrities, lifestyle editors, fashion school heads, fashionistas and socialites flocked to the Marine Venues in DHA on Saturday evening to attend Runway Spring/Summer ‘25 (Runway SS’25), breaking the dry spell of Karachi’s style scene.

Masarrat Misbah of the Depilex Smileagain Foundation (DSF), which works for the rehabilitation of acid burn survivors, participated in harmonious synergy with unisex fashion designer Zubair Shah. The segment witnessed models accompanying acid burn survivors through the aisles wearing designer clothes. It was a dream come true for the survivors, who smiled and waved at the audience, receiving a standing ovation for their bravery and steadfastness in the face of trial and adversity.

The segment concluded with Masarrat Misbah and designer Zubair Shah coming to the front stage with the models and survivors, where Misbah shed light on the subject at length, followed by a touching and heartfelt show reel.

Legendary Kathak exponent and classical performer Sheema Kermani paid rich tributes to those who have passed away from among the showbiz fraternity over the past year by performing to a recording of celebrated poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s Dasht-i-Tanhai, by Ustad Vilayat Hussain with Ustad Shafiullah on the harmonium.

The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi dance group, comprising Naina Khan, Yoshua Hussain and Shahzore Akhtar, performed a contemporary dance number to the popular Khamaj (starring Shaan and Zara Sheikh) by Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan. The dancers’ hand and body movements held the audience transfixed, involved and thoroughly engrossed. The solo act by singer Syed Hasaan performed cover songs of popular numbers and celebrated singers, which captivated the audience, who demanded more of his soulful lyrics, which kept him coming back for an encore.

Mahi’s Couture collection boasted a 45-piece collection with intricate embroideries, gemstone hues and classically eastern, fusion and western cuts on tall and statuesque models in a blaze of sparkling sequins, luxe fabrics, flowy, cascading duppattas and skirts, with intricate, detailed hand embroideries, structured cuts and fitting silhouettes.

Actor Zahrah Raza was the showstopper in the segment. For Mahi’s casual collection, the design house put on the tall and statuesque ramp models attired in corsets and casual, free-flowing outfits that perfectly complemented the aesthetic sensibilities of the smart, young hip crowd, while introducing a fashion-forward approach to casual wear.

The fashion thesis students from the Millennium Institute of Technology and Entrep­reneurship (MITE) showed intricately crafted costumes structured from dried-out fruit skin peels, textured elements found freely in nature, social influences and issues facing urban communities, all woven into the costumes to create an impactful and resounding social statement. The segment saw transgender rights activist Kami Chaudhry walk for the MITE students in a showstopper creation, drawing a rave round of applause.

Ramsha Bilal of Rose Salon made her debut as a bridal couturier at Runway SS’25 with highly innovative bridal looks specially curated for the segment by the official hair and make-up artists. The trousseau collection wove a rich tale of splendour and exquisite taste in terms of both textures, embellishments, colour tones and luxe fabrics, accent­uated by fresh bridal make-up and coiffed hairstyles that elicited a hearty response from the cultured audience.

Bridal couturier K. You­suf displayed intricately crafted heirloom pieces on the models, immersed in expensive bridal-wear that boasted semi-precious stone embellishments, traditional and cultural design elements and influences from Pakhtun culture and a medley of vibrant colours to a stunning effect.

Designer Lubna Muda­ssir showcased her trademark heavy formals with jewel tones, matte and skin tones laced with meta­llic embellishments in traditio­nal and experimental cuts.

Originally published in Dawn, August 18, 2025