RUNWAY SS’25 was held on August 16, 2525 on Saturday evening at the Marine Venues, adjacent to The Marina Club in DHA, Phase VIII attended and participated by Pakistan’s leading fashion industry professionals, stylists, designers, models, choreographers, fashion writers, bloggers, content creators and influencers, celebrities, lifestyle editors, fashion school heads, fashionistas and socialities, among many others.
Masarrat Misbah from her charitable organization Depiles Smileagain Foundation that works for the treatment and rehabilitation of acid burn survivors as active members of society participated visibly in the show, in synergy with designer Zubair Shah to shed light on the cause. The segment saw professional models walking the runway hand-in-hand with acid burn surcivors, escorting and leading them through among the audiences, while wearing designer clothes. For many of the survicors it was a dream come true for them who smiled and waved at the visitors and who gave them a standing ovation for their bravery and steadfastness in the face of adversity and trauma. The segment concluded with Masarrat Misbah and designer Zubair Shah coming front stage with the models and surcivors where Misbah shed light on the subject at length followed by a touching & heartfelt show reel.
Legendary Kathak exponent & classical performer Sheema Kermani paid rich tributes to those who have passed away from among the showbiz fraternity over the past year by performing in full gear to a very exclusive recording of renowned and celebrated poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s Dasht-e-Tanhai, by Ustad Vilayat Hussain with Ustad Shafiullah on the harmonium. It was a mesmersing and truly memorable and superlative moment for all those present.
The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi dance group comprising Naina Khan, Yoshua Hussain and Shahzore Akhtar alao performed a very contemporary dance number to the extremely popular Khamaj by Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan. Their fluid and precise hand and body movements held all and sundry transfixed and mesmerized. The solo act by singer Syed Hasaan performed cover of popular numbers and celebrated singers which captivated the audience and demanded and who demanded more of his soulful lyrics which kept him coming back more for an encore performance.
Mahi’s Couture collection boasting 45 pieces embellished with intricate embroideries, gem tone tones and classically eastern, fusion and western cuts on their tall and statuesque models elevating them to the statues of Disney princesses, showed in a blaze of sparkling sequins, luxe fabrics, flowy, cascading duppattas and skirts, with intricate delailed hand embroideries, well-structured cuts and fitting silhouettes. Actress Zahrah Raza was the showstopper in this segment. For Mahi’s casual collection, the design house put on the tall and stauesque ramp models attired in corsets and casual, freeflowing outfits that perfectly complimented the aesthetic sensibiliteis of the smart, young, hip crowd, as well as introducing a more fashion-forward approach to casual dressing.
Fashion thesis students from the Millennium Institute of Technology & Enterpreneurship (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 MITE segment saw transgener 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 for RUNWAY SS’25. 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 fewy and fresh bridal make-up and coiffant hairstyles that elicited a hearty response from the cultured audience.
Well-known bridal couturier K Yousuf who operates from her design studio on the fashion-savvy main Zamzama Boulevard displayed intricately crafted heirloom pieces on the frail models which elevated them to the status of high-fashion mannequins, immersed in expensive bridal-wear garments that boast of semi-precious stones embellishments, traditional and cultural design elements and influences from Pukhtun culture and a medley of vibrant colours juxtaposed ro a stunning and mesmerising final effect.
Designer Lubna Mudassir showcased her trademarh heavy formals with jewel tones, matte and skin tones laced with metallic embellishments in traditional and experimental cuts.
RUNWAY SS’25 is presented by Infini Events and is supported by The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi with Hum TV as the official Digital Media Partner, Smokey-Os as the official Food Partner, Eight Water as the official Hydration Partner, Rose Salon as the official Hair & Makeup Partner, Venue Partner Marine Venues, Irfanistan as the official Social Media Partner, official Red Carpet Hosts Syeda Nazea and Zeeshan Shafi, Show Choreography by former supermodel Neera, Show Coordination by Anwaar Shaikh, Model Coordination and Show Direction by fashion model and celebrated lifestyle influencer Aliya Sattar.