KARACHI: Matters went far beyond mere fashion at the Laam Fashion Week presents Kaleidoscopic Karachi fashion event, evoking a strong sense of nostalgia the moment you entered the Indus Valley School of Art & Architecture grounds situated in Clifton.
The exhibition displaying over four decades of fashion photography by celebrated photographer Tapu Javeri evoked a strong sense of déjà vu for Gen-X-ers, many of whom could vividly recall the striking high-fashion imagery by top fashion models and celebrities on the covers of fashion glossies and centrespreads within the numerous fashion and lifestyle magazines throughout the ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s, and beyond.
Many of these names and faces that had started out then went on to become legends on the fashion landscape, and continue to trailblaze paths in fashion even today.
Kaleidoscopic Karachi not only brought together the fashion fraternity after what seemed like eons, but also supporters, patrons as well as philanthropists who proudly occupied the front rows flanking either side of the ramp.
Kaleidoscopic Karachi evokes fond memories and fashion’s futuristic perspective
Some very well-known names and faces who hadn’t been seen for a while sat shoulder to shoulder, greeting each other and catching up while cheering for their favourite designers. Both the night and atmosphere were charged with camaraderie and excitement, not knowing what to expect as fashion finally returned to Karachi.
The fashion certainly rose to the challenge with a line-up of Karachi-based fashion powerhouses such as Sana Safinaz, Deepak Perwani, Khaadi, The Pink Tree Company and Wardha Saleem — all of whom created exquisite art-pieces with signature styles.
Show opener Deepak Perwani showed a monochrome collection with tell-tale cuts and silhouettes with embellished detailing. He brought firebrands former fashion models Seemi Pasha, Frieha Altaf and Atiya Khan on to the ramp with him in an inspiringly true fashion moment.
Khaadi’s experimentation and play with prints and embellished tunics was everything that could be expected from the likes of a true fashion visionary such as Shamoon Sultan. Bold, provocative, groundbreaking and futuristic, Khaadi took fashion beyond its limits by paving the ground for the future of fashion in the metropolis.
Where Khaadi was all about future, Wardha Saleem’s time travel style escapade took us into the past where the intricate old city architecture and history etched in concrete weaved its way into garment form. Helping the collection along its way was the ‘Bandar Road Se Keamari’ anthem that prepped things up for all and sundry.
The Pink Tree Company’s gota galore and gold blockprint work has all the makings of a fashion rage come this wedding season, perfected with styling by Nabila’s team of hair and make-up wizards working under her ever watchful glare and Tabesh Khoja’s guidelines. The show choreography was by Nubain Ali.
Sana Safinaz stole the show as always with their sophisticated approach to old-school style and grandeur. The smart money is always on Sana Safinaz for a reason come festive couture or wedding-wear for a very distinct reason, and at Kaleidoscopic Karachi the audience got a sneak-peek at the regality of a world where endless style meets infinite charm.
Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2026
