LAHORE: LAAM Fashion Week (LFW), Pakistan’s first runway-to-e-tail fashion platform, officially commenced on Saturday here in the provincial capital.

It brought together high-street and prêt brands, manufacturing brands that have successfully completed the LFW Ramp Readiness Programme (RRP), luxury fashion houses, couture ateliers, and bridal designers, reflecting the depth, diversity and scale of Pakistani fashion.

Day one of the LAAM Fashion Week opened with “LFW Presents”, a curated showcase featuring 26 signature pieces from designers and brands whose work has influenced entire decades of fashion.

This was followed by the LFW Hot List, a dedicated showcase spotlighting rising talent and next-generation designers from industry-accredited institutions, including the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture (IVS) of Karachi and the Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design (PFID) of Lahore. The segment also featured a special live performance by the top 16 Pakistan Idol finalists, adding a dynamic cultural layer to the evening.

Act 3 featured showcases by Tena Durrani, Zainab Salman, and Ali Xeeshan, followed by Act 4, an invite-only presentation headlined by fashion industry icon Rizwan Beyg. Designers featured in the showcase include Ali Xeeshan, Amir Adnan, Ammar Belal, Deepak Perwani, Elan, Fahad Hussayn, Feeha Jamshaid, Generation, HSY, Huma Adnan, Hussain Rehar, Karma, Khaadi, Mahgul, Meeras by Nilofer Shahid, Mohsin Naveed Ranjha, Nomi Ansari, Rizwan Beyg, Saira Shakira, Sania Maskatiya, Shammael Ansari, Teejays, The House of Kamiar Rokni, Wardha Saleem, Zaheer Abbass and Zainab Chottani

LFW Hot List is where Pakistan’s next generation of fashion designers step onto the runway. Developed through a collaborative initiative with leading fashion institutions, the showcase brought together 10 capsule collections selected by IVS and the PIFD. Created by recent graduates, the collections reflected emerging design voices grounded in technical skill, thoughtful construction, and contemporary storytelling. Further reinforcing LFW’s commitment to nurturing emerging creative talent, the Day 1 LFW Hotlist featured live performances by Pakistan Idol’s Top 16 finalists - Nabeel Abbas, Aryan Naveed, Muhammad Minaam, Samya Gohar, Rawish Rubab, Merab Javelin, Tarab Nafees, Romaisa Tariq, Maham Tahir, Faryal Amber, Hira Qaiser, Waqar Hussain, Zain Baloch, Rohail Asghar, Rouhan Abbas, and Mehtab Ali — who performed their critically acclaimed Pakistan Idol medley.

Tena Durrani’s S/S 2026 Bridal Couture at LAAM Fashion Week was rooted firmly in bridal craftsmanship. Antara by Zainab Salman at the Fashion Week presented a bridal collection shaped by craftsmanship, emotion, and modern elegance. Ali Xeeshan’s Maqsad was a deeply personal expression of purpose, journey, and becoming.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2026