Pakistan might be in its developing phase at the moment, but its lifestyle and entertainment sector has indeed gone from strength to strength over the period of time. As of today, the markets of fashion, beauty, showbiz, arts and culture are the strongest and truly at par with international standards, where sometimes the foreign media and artists are compelled to visit the country and see for themselves how Pakistan stands tall on the aforementioned industries. We take fashion as an example. Holding myriads of fashion weeks and solo shows, exhibitions and brand launch events in the country all year long, the country is also rich in fashion and design institutions that produce immensely-talented designers and artists who become famous across the world for their work and craft. The fashion industry of Pakistan is at an all time high. But the question is, who were the torchbearers, the pioneers, the stalwarts and the veterans, the geniuses and outside the box thinkers who presented Pakistan with and introduced it to the wonders of fashion. We take a look at seven of them who shaped up the fashion industry of Pakistan and introduced style in the country. BARKAT ALI Barkat Ali is a name which every woman is familiar with. I remember when I was very young and the fashion scene of Pakistan was almost nonexistent, every lady with good taste and money would head over to esteemed pret design brand and renowned couturier of that time – the indisputable Barkat Ali, and then boast about it. Every bride wore Barkat Ali. The name Barkat Ali is synonymous with intricately crafted bridal dresses and fabulous saris in the city of Lahore. BUNTO KAZMI This elegant lady is a force to be reckoned with. She is one of the oldest and the most veteran couturiers of Pakistan, who despite keeping a low profile is a celebrity, revered among all Pakistanis. Years later, even today, her one bridal outfit is equivalent to a thousand outfits by regular designers. Such is her class and vision, as depicted in her outfits. Her son Ali Kazmi is also a menswear designer. FAIZA SAMEE This stunning lady introduced sophisticated and colourful pret and distinguished couture designs to the Pakistani audience, back in the day when fashion was still an alien word. Going strong even today, her designs are unique, distinct and very intricate. Today, she is a multi-award winning designer. Faiza Samee has unparalleled expertise in some of the rarest and most intricate hand embroideries in the world. MAHEEN KHAN The veteran designer has reinvented herself over the years and has stayed relevant and trendy in today’s age. She has been the reigning pioneer of pret and couture in Pakistan and has had a clientele which involves royalties all over the world. Maheen Khan’s designs are different; ones that resonate with the ethos and design philosophies of a diverse group, appealing to an international audience, other than the local one. She has worked in Hollywood, proving her mettle with stunning creations of artistic costumes. Maheen Khan is the designer for fashion labels like The Embroidery House, Maheen and Gulabo. She is well known for her embroidery for the film ‘Snow White & The Huntsman’ and TV series ‘The Jewel In The Crown’. NILOFER SHAHID Nilofer Shahid of Meeras is a legend. She is truly the pride of Pakistan. She invented fashion and style in Pakistan. Belonging to an affluent family of Lahore, Nilofer Shahid discovered her love for fashion and began knitting stylish sweaters to start off. They slowly became a sensation within her vicinity and among her family and friends and so she began charging everyone for every stylish sweater she knitted. Slowly and gradually, she began experimenting with other fabrics and today she is the leading fashion designer of Pakistan, unparalleled in her craft and approach to design. Her work has been exhibited far and wide across continents and she has been recognised by the governments of all the countries. Her designs are a work of art. A beautiful person, both in and out, Shahid has participated in all international fashion weeks and has won many accolades and awards world over. She was the first one to bring the fabric of tissue to Pakistan and introduced it to the fashion world. She was Princess Diana’s go-to designer whenever she was in Asia and remains Jemima Goldsmith’s close friend. Shahid, with her passion and volcanic creativity, reinvents the classic vision of haute couture garments and accessories, to create dreamy moods. RIZWAN BEYG Fashion in Pakistan is synonymous with the name of Rizwan Beyg. He is one of the pioneers of the fashion industry in the country and remains a trendsetter whenever he comes up with a new collection. Rizwan Beyg is a reputed, revered and highly admired veteran designer who has been in the industry right from the beginning. He was an architect and became a designer by accident. Beyg was one of those fashion radicals who broke all the rules. His clientele has been royalties, the esteemed and the distinguished. SEHYR SAIGOL The current generation might know her as the founder and the force behind the Pakistan Fashion Design Council, but the graceful and the very elegant Sehyr Saigol is one of the pioneers of Pakistani fashion. Sehyr Saigol’s distinct designs were a sensation back in the day when my mother got married, she once told me. Hot on the heels of fashion designing, Saigol founded the pioneer fashion magazine of the country, Libas, back when there was no concept of a fashion magazine at all in this country. Saigol extracted Pakistan from the dark and brought glamour quotient to the country with her sensational designs and later her magazine. Today, she is the reigning queen of PFDC, the force behind fashion week culture and a revered figure in her home country. She is right at the crest of the fashion industry of Pakistan.