The highly anticipated TEXPO 2024 kicked off at Karachi’s Pearl Continental Hotel on October 23, uniting over 400 delegates for a two-day fashion event centered on sustainability. Under the theme “Weaving the Way to Sustainability,” the showcase highlighted innovative designs from leading industry names, swiftly blending style with eco-conscious practices. Day one set an impressive tone, featuring a runway that celebrated rich heritage inspirations, sculptural designs, fresh takes on street style, and the striking allure of metallic accents.
Shamaeel Ansari
Opening the show was Shamaeel Ansari with her Ms International collection, and few could have made a better first impression. She leaned on heritage inspirations – Mughal and Ottoman influences were evident, with her signature tassels, wrap jackets, and rich brocades dominating the runway. Shamaeel’s skill lies in fusing traditional motifs with modern sensibilities, a trick she mastered long before others even dared to try. The palette, starting with deep jewel tones on velvet and moving into warmer champagne and beige silks, mimicked the transition from winter to warmer weather whether she meant for it to do so or not. Each piece carried an air of aristocracy without alienating the modern woman with bell bottoms, cuffed trousers and pockets. Whether it was digital prints or the more formal handworked floral bunches, the collection offered something regal without being too austere.
Gogi
Hassan Riaz brought a bold after-dark allure to life with pieces all reconstructed from older collections. The runway shimmered with deep plum and obsidian hues, showcasing sharp-shouldered silhouettes—pieces that belonged in the avant-garde. Asymmetrical necklines cut through the air like abstract sculptures, with each look growing more daring. A striking wine-hued gown featured a sculpted torso contrasted by flowing tulle, while the true showstopper was a black sculptural dress with sweeping curves and structured layers—a celebration of bold, high-impact fashion. Some looks bordered overwhelming, but most of the showcase carried an excessive flair that was wittingly subdued by a dark palette. The gender-neutral element was also refreshingly subtle, with both men and women clad in sequins, their hair styled in sleek updos that heightened the collection’s futuristic aesthetic. With statement capes and crystalline embellishments, Riaz pushed the boundaries of eveningwear, daringly creative yet impossible to ignore.
Sanam Chaudhri
Sanam Chaudhri’s NYX was ferocious and sensual with its risqué cuts and bead worked vanguard jackets. This Autumn/Winter collection, inspired by the women of the night, exuded power, though at times in a somewhat heavy-handed way. Cheetah print chokers and details felt slightly on the nose for a collection about fierceness. The use of rich silks and tassels followed this year’s international trends, but Chaudhri injected them with her own 1920s flapper-inspired energy, creating an edgier take on the Jazz Age revival. Her offerings included blacks, deep reds, and golds punctuated by sharp A-symmetrical cuts, with over emphasised shoulders, harem pants, and knot-detail halters taking centre stage. This collection wasn’t for the faint of heart – each look demanded your full attention.
Sahar Atif
Sahar Atif’s Salvaged Selvedge stood out for its inventive mix of street style and cultural heritage, making it the most compelling showcase of the evening. Breathing new life into discarded denim, Atif artfully married the rugged appeal of upcycled denim with the sophisticated heritage of Sindhi Ajrak patterns. Models walked the runway in deconstructed vests with industrial mesh pockets, trimmed with Ajrak borders, paired with wide-leg trousers featuring intricate patchwork. On more than one occasion, a jacket’s exaggerated proportions were balanced by a black tank underneath, while gathered harem-style pants completed the silhouette with studied nonchalance. A colour-blocked jumpsuit in varying shades of indigo, cinched at the waist with an Ajrak-printed belt was among Atif’s most successful looks. Each outfit told a distinct story, from relaxed-fit jackets with traditional trims to distressed patchwork pants that added an urban edge. White sneakers anchored the look, while bohemian braids woven with Ajrak threads framed the models’ faces, rounding out the street-savvy, heritage-infused aesthetic.
Yuna Hattori 
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