THE RUNWAY HAS BEGUN

fashion show

Fashion can carry stories, preserve traditions and give people a way to express where they come from. They also bring together designers, models, artists and audiences, often reflecting the communities and cultures they come from. For South Asian designers working overseas, such events offer an opportunity to present their work to audiences outside their usual markets.

The Canada Lifestyle Fashion Show & Exhibition 2026 brought Pakistani and South Asian designers to Calgary, held at Dera Banquet Hall recently, presented RMD Lifestyle Events Inc. and The World in Vogue.

The impressive designer lineup for the fashion included Naushemian by Nauman Arfeen, Emraan Rajput, Gogi by Hassan Riaz, Shamaeel Ansari, Stitchcraft by Roopan Grewal, Maria Farrukh, Pehnawa by Sidra Ateeque, Ramya Peri, North Arabia Couture, Nisa Style, Yordi Bridal & Fashion and Ross Henderson.

Among the guests were Pakistani actor and director Saife Hasan, who attended as Chief Guest and Hon. Muhammad Yaseen, Associate Minister of Multiculturalism and MLA for Calgary-North.

For Hala Badar, CEO of RMD Lifestyle Events Inc. and one of the organisers, the event was part of a longer-term effort to create fashion and lifestyle events in Canada. “Being in the industry of creating events has taught me that you have to dream bigger. Calgary showed up for this vision and seeing a house full of people supporting fashion, culture and inclusion means so much to us. This is the beginning of something bigger,” she said.

Co-organiser Muhammad Sheraz, CEO of The World in Vogue, has worked in the fashion and media industry for 13 years. He moved to Canada for his daughter and continued his work there while maintaining his connection with the Pakistani fashion industry. “I always carried my love for my culture with me. I wanted to bring the beauty of Pakistani culture, our fashion, our designers and our craftsmanship to the world,” Sheraz said.

The runway opened with Hassan Riaz’s ‘DESTINE - The True Colours of Pakistan’, a collection inspired by Pakistan’s landscapes, seasons and visual heritage. Riaz then continued in his role as Show Director, overseeing the transition between the different collections presented during the evening.

The collections covered a range of styles, from traditional and bridalwear to contemporary designs. The lineup also brought together designers based in different countries and working across different areas of South Asian fashion.

In addition to the main runway, the programme included a special children’s walk organised in collaboration with Calgary’s Inclusive Social Club, founded by Aneela Mir. Children from the organisation took part in the runway as models, making the segment part of the main fashion programme rather than a separate event.

The initiative is also connected to Sheraz’s plans to create further opportunities for special children through future projects.

The evening included recognition for people involved in organising and supporting the showcase. Gurinder Brar, MLA for Calgary-North East, joined the certificate presentation for contributors to the event. “As a representative of Calgary-North East, I am always looking for opportunities to support initiatives that benefit and bring together our communities. Events like this promote cultural exchange, encourage entrepreneurship and give talented individuals a platform to be seen,” Brar said.

The programme concluded with a live performance by Shallum Xavier, founding member of the Pakistani musical band Fuzön.

The exhibition followed the next day at the Courtyard by Marriott Calgary Airport, Stampede Ballroom, bringing together fashion brands, entrepreneurs, businesses and creatives beyond the runway.

Designer Hassan Riaz also served as Show Director and Creative Choreographer, overseeing the runway’s visual presentation and choreography. Public relations and media outreach were handled by Mujtaba Javaid of WhiteSpace, the official publicist.

With its mix of established designers, emerging names and community participation, the Calgary event offered a snapshot of the ways Pakistani fashion is being presented to audiences in Canada.

- You! desk