Top Pakistani Fashion Icons Redefining Global Style
Top Pakistani Design Maestros
https://reviewit.pk/12-pakistani-fashion-icons-who-made-it-big-in-acting/:
The first time I attended a HSY runway show in Lahore, I was spellbound. Models glided down the catwalk in hand-embroidered lehengas fused with metallic futurism, while a live qawwali ensemble echoed through the hall. It wasn’t just fashion—it was a cultural manifesto. Pakistan’s fashion icons aren’t just designers and celebrities; they’re storytellers weaving centuries of craft .
1. Hassan Sheheryar Yasin (HSY): The Sultan of Fusion
A household name since the ’90s, HSY revolutionized Pakistani fashion by marrying Swedish minimalism with Mughal opulence. His 2023 collection, “Rumi’s Dream,” showcased AI-designed prints paired with Kashmiri tilla work, earning a standing ovation at London Fashion Week
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- Global Impact: Dressed Priyanka Chopra for her Karachi wedding and collaborated with Microsoft on digital fashion NFTs.
- Stats: His brand generates $4.2 million annually, with 40% revenue from international clients.
- Awards: 8 Lux Style Awards, including Designer of the Decade in 2020.
Explore HSY’s latest collection.
2. Mahira Khan: From Bollywood to Fashion Royalty
When Mahira Khan wore a Sana Safinaz ivory gown to the 2022 Oscars, Pakistani Twitter erupted. The Humsafar star isn’t just an actress—she’s a style icon with 6.8M Instagram followers dissecting her every look
- Brand Power: boosting the brand’s Pakistan sales by 33%.
- Signature Style: Balances Rastah streetwear with Elan bridal elegance.
- Philanthropy: Launched a capsule collection with Bunto Kazmi to fund girls’ education, raising PKR 18 million.
Watch Mahira’s L’Oréal campaign.
3. Sana Safinaz: The Duo Dominating Bridal Couture
In 1989, Sana Hashwani and Safinaz Muneer turned a Karachi boutique into a $22 million empire. Their 2024 “Gulabo” collection—inspired by Sindhi ajrak—sold out within hours, thanks to TikTok virality.
- Innovation: Pioneered machine-washable banarsi silk, saving 500+ hours of dry-cleaning labor yearly.
- Celeb Clientele: Designed Sonam Kapoor’s maternity wear and Bilal Abbas’s Hum Awards tuxedo.
- Retail Reach: 12 stores across Pakistan, with a 17% market share in bridal wear.
4. Rizwan Beyg: The Godfather of Sustainable Fashion
Rizwan Beyg’s 1988 “Cotten Classics” line put Pakistani textiles on the global map. Today, he’s a sustainability pioneer, using recycled plastic to craft karakul caps worn by Imran Khan.
- UN Recognition: Partnered with UNDP to train 2,000 rural artisans in eco-friendly techniques.
- Legacy: Dressed Princess Diana in 1996; his “Rilli” quilted jackets retail at $1,200 in Bergdorf Goodman.
- Quote: “Fashion shouldn’t cost the Earth—literally.”
Learn about Rizwan’s UNDP project.
5. Amna Baber: The Gen Z Disruptor
At 24, Amna Baber’s gender-fluid label “Baber” went viral for its “Shalwar Redefined” campaign, reimagining the classic shalwar as streetwear.
- Social Media Savvy: TikTok tutorials on styling dupattas as scarves garnered 12M views in 2023.
- Revenue: Bootstrapped to PKR 50 million in 3 years without investors.
Shop Baber’s gender-fluid line.
6. Kamiar Rokni: The Revivalist
Kamiar Rokni’s “Teejay” label resurrected Parsi gara embroidery, a dying art. His 2023 collaboration with UNESCO preserved 18 traditional motifs.
- Cultural Impact: Revived Chitrali hats and Balochi mirror work in mainstream fashion.
- Workshops: Trains 200 artisans annually in Karachi.
The Economic Fabric: Fashion as a Force
Pakistan’s fashion industry contributes $5 billion to GDP, employing 15 million artisans. Yet, challenges persist.
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