They may have battled some of the largest taboos, powered down runways, or carved out their own personal style legacies, some people are engraved into fashion history forever, regardless of their respective fields. From the man himself, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Fatima Jinnah to our latest contemporary stars like Fawad Khan and Ayesha Omar, check out the icons who have shaped history with their style.
QUAID-E-AZAM MUHAMMAD ALI JINNAH
From three-piece-suits, fedora hats, long coats to the Jinnah cap, tell us a man who’s more fashionable than Mr Jinnah? His distinguished sartorial elegance, charming personality with cigar in hand, are style goals that any man of merit can follow even today. A gentleman’s style is timeless
FATIMA JINNAH
This lady is a winner in every walk of life and an inspiration in elegance – her distinct style of wearing ghararas, with her signature dupatta on her head paired with pearls are ultimate fashion goals
LIAQUAT ALI KHAN
The first Prime Minister of Pakistan defined fashion of that era with sartorial panache; suits, bow ties and the Jinnah cap – the man knew how to dress!
BEGUM RA’ANA LIAQUAT ALI KHAN
The First Lady of Pakistan Begum Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan created a significantly fashionable Pakistani/subcontinent style to awe the whole world. Her iconic looks included ghararas, chiffon dupattas and statement jewellery pieces along with her signature curly, side-parted short hair
MADAME NOOR JEHAN
Madame Noor Jehan is a timeless beauty who ruled Pakistani entertainment through the 1930s to thye 1990s. She created a furore in Pakistan and across the sub-continent with her beauty and magical voice. Noor Jehan sported demure sarees, matching chokers and her signature bun along with her glamorous makeup. Her iconic style is remembered even today.
SHABNAM
The 1960’s, 70s and 80s actress, Shabnam was a trend setting fashion icon of Lollywood. Her lovely sarees, and bindis created a fashion wave in Pakistan. At a time when fashion styling was not given much importance, she brought in freshness on screen and off, which was emulated by every young girl of the 60s and early 70s. Shabnam has made a remarkable contribution to the Pakistani fashion scene with her distinct beehive hairstyles and winged eyeliners
The chocolate-romantic hero made sweaters and high-neck sweaters fashionable when they were not even a thing. His hair- puff inspired the young men of that era. He was the original superstar of Pakistan in every way
BENAZIR BHUTTO
In Pakistan, fashion continues to make a surprise presence in conservative fields like politics. Benazir Bhutto, the first woman to govern a Muslim country, spoke not only through her powerful words, but even through her statement-making style. While campaigning, she wore simple traditional attire with her signature white chiffon dupatta atop her top-knot bun. However, she was also spotted in chic, minimalistic outfits before becoming PM.
NAZIA HASSAN
The pop music icon left a mark not through her singing but also her sense of style. Nazia was truly way ahead of her time and made everything she wore fashion. One can easily take inspiration from her style even today now that 80’s and 90’s fashion is back. Her long hair, casual jeans- tee look, knee-length dresses, dungarees and traditional attire were all top notch –looks that every millennial can follow
MAHEEN KHAN
Designer Maheen Khan is an essential part of the list for she has been in the fashion scene since the 70’s – it is she who introduced Pakistan to modern stylish silhouettes. The award-winning designer has a unique and original style of her own and these days with her grey pixie haircut she defines the modern Pakistani women who is not circumscribed by age
IMRAN KHAN
From his cricketing days to when he entered into politics, Imran Khan has maintained a certain sense of style and fashion that always stood out. Be it his long puffed up 80’s hair or his sherwani look as PM, his style always offsets his good looks
NABILA
The makeup guru and hair maestro Nabila can be discerned as one of the most fashionable Pakistani women through history owing to her distinguished take on fashion. She always dresses up in distinctive clothes with her signature glasses and short hair
FAWAD KHAN
The Pakistani actor, the ultimate dream guy for a lot of women and girls out there, is one of our favourites when we talk about true style. Be it his clean-shaven look or that light stubble, his persona in formal suits or traditional kurtas, Fawad is a real life prince.
AYESHA OMAR