A house-full Calgary gala brought together leading Pakistani and South Asian designers, Canadian-based creative talent and an inclusive community celebration under one runway
CALGARY — Pakistani fashion, culture and creativity took center stage on August 28 as the Canada Lifestyle Fashion Show & Exhibition 2026 transformed Dera Banquet Hall into a vibrant celebration of South Asian design, cultural identity and inclusion.
The house-full gala brought together some of the most compelling names in Pakistani and South Asian fashion alongside Canadian-based creative talent, creating an evening where couture, contemporary design, cultural storytelling and inclusive participation came together on one stage.
Presented by RMD Lifestyle Events Inc., led by CEO Hala Badar, and The World in Vogue, led by CEO Muhammad Sheraz, the event brought designers, models, artists, entrepreneurs, media personalities and community leaders together for a celebration that reflected Calgary’s increasingly diverse cultural landscape.
At the center of the production was acclaimed designer and creative visionary Hassan Riaz, who served as Show Director and Creative Choreographer. Riaz shaped the show’s visual identity, runway choreography and creative flow, while also presenting his own collection on the runway through Gogi by Hassan Riaz.
The event’s public relations and media outreach were led by Mujtaba Javaid of WhiteSpace, serving as the official publicist, helping expand the showcase’s media visibility while communicating its broader message of fashion, culture, creativity and inclusion.
Where Fashion Meets Cultural Identity
The evening welcomed acclaimed Pakistani actor and director Saife Hasan as Chief Guest, alongside prominent community figures, industry professionals, entrepreneurs and supporters.
Among the distinguished guests was Hon. Muhammad Yaseen, Associate Minister of Multiculturalism and MLA for Calgary-North, whose presence underscored the importance of cultural initiatives that bring Calgary’s diverse communities together.
The showcase represented more than a fashion presentation. It reflected a growing effort to build meaningful connections between South Asian creative industries and Canada’s multicultural cultural landscape.
For the organizers, the runway became a meeting point for fashion and identity — a space where Pakistani craftsmanship and contemporary creativity could be presented to a Canadian audience while creating opportunities for designers, entrepreneurs and artists to build new connections.
A Vision Built on Community
For Hala Badar, CEO of RMD Lifestyle Events Inc. and Co-Organizer, the response from Calgary represented both an important milestone and the beginning of a much larger journey.
“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 not the end — it is the beginning of something bigger, and we promise to continue creating opportunities and platforms for our community.”
Badar’s vision is rooted in creating spaces where creativity can become a catalyst for connection, entrepreneurship and opportunity.
For Co-Organizer Muhammad Sheraz, CEO of The World in Vogue, the showcase carried a deeply personal significance.
With 13 years of experience in the fashion and media industry, Sheraz moved to Canada for his daughter, Abia, beginning a new chapter while continuing to carry his connection to Pakistani culture with him.
“I have been a part of the fashion and media industry for the last 13 years. A few years ago, I moved to Canada for my daughter, Abia. Starting over in a new country, as a single parent, was not easy. But 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.”
That philosophy has become central to The World in Vogue’s vision — using fashion as a vehicle through which culture can travel, connect and inspire.
Sheraz also emphasized his commitment to creating future opportunities for special children and inclusive communities, ensuring that inclusion remains an integral part of the platform’s long-term vision.
Hassan Riaz: The Creative Force Behind the Show
The creative direction of the evening was led by Hassan Riaz, who took on the dual role of Show Director and Creative Choreographer, while also presenting his own collection.
The runway opened with Riaz’s “DESTINE — The True Colours of Pakistan,” a collection inspired by Pakistan’s dramatic landscapes, changing seasons and rich visual heritage.
The collection provided an evocative opening to the evening, establishing a visual language that presented Pakistan not simply as a place of origin, but as a source of colour, craftsmanship, emotion and creative inspiration.
Riaz’s influence extended throughout the production. As Show Director, he orchestrated the movement and presentation of the diverse designer lineup, bringing individual collections and creative voices together within a cohesive visual narrative.
A Powerful Showcase of Pakistani and South Asian Fashion
The runway brought together an eclectic mix of established designers, emerging voices and contemporary fashion brands, including:
- 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
- Ross Henderson
The collections moved between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary silhouettes, with each designer bringing a distinct aesthetic language and creative perspective to the runway.
The enthusiastic response from the audience throughout the evening highlighted the growing appetite for South Asian fashion and the opportunities available to designers and creative entrepreneurs seeking to connect with audiences beyond traditional markets.
The result was a runway that showcased not only individual collections, but the breadth and versatility of Pakistani and South Asian fashion within an international setting.
When Inclusion Walks the Runway
While couture and design commanded the runway, one of the evening’s most meaningful statements came through inclusion.
In collaboration with Calgary’s Inclusive Social Club, founded by Aneela Mir, the organizers presented a special children’s walk featuring special children who were given the opportunity to experience the excitement, confidence and visibility of the runway.
Their participation placed inclusion at the heart of the fashion program.
Rather than presenting accessibility and inclusion as a separate initiative, the organizers integrated the children’s walk directly into the main show — sending a clear message that the fashion stage belongs to everyone.
The segment also reflected Sheraz’s personal commitment to developing more platforms and meaningful opportunities for special children through future initiatives.
Celebrating the People Behind the Vision
The showcase also turned attention toward the individuals and contributors whose efforts helped bring the production to life.
Gurinder Brar, MLA for Calgary-North East, joined the certificate presentation recognizing individuals and contributors involved in the event.
Brar said:
“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. I believe Calgary thrives when we create more opportunities for our diverse communities to come together and celebrate what they have to offer.”
The recognition ceremony highlighted an essential element behind any successful fashion production: a network of creatives, organizers, partners, volunteers and community supporters working together to bring a shared vision to life.
From Runway to Rhythm
As the fashion showcase moved toward its finale, the evening shifted from runway to rhythm.
The gala concluded with a live performance by Shallum Xavier, founding member of the celebrated musical band Fuzön, adding a powerful musical dimension to a night that had already brought together fashion, culture, community and storytelling.
His performance provided a fittingly celebratory conclusion, bringing the audience together as the evening drew to a close.
The Story Continues Beyond the Runway
The August 28 gala served as the centerpiece of the broader Canada Lifestyle Fashion Show & Exhibition 2026.
The initiative continued on August 30 at the Courtyard by Marriott Calgary Airport, Stampede Ballroom, where the lifestyle exhibition extended the platform beyond the runway and created additional opportunities for fashion brands, entrepreneurs, businesses, creatives and community members to connect.
Together, the fashion show and exhibition represent a broader ambition: to establish a continuing Canadian platform where South Asian fashion and cultural expression can connect with Canada’s increasingly diverse creative landscape.
The exhibition component expanded the conversation beyond fashion itself, creating space for businesses, brands, entrepreneurs and creatives to engage with the wider community.
Looking Beyond Calgary
For RMD Lifestyle Events Inc. and The World in Vogue, the Calgary showcase represents more than the success of a single event. It provides a foundation for what comes next.
The combination of a house-full audience, an accomplished designer lineup, strong community participation, government and community support, and a meaningful commitment to inclusion demonstrated the potential of a platform that brings fashion and cultural identity together.
With Hassan Riaz at the creative helm as Show Director and Mujtaba Javaid of WhiteSpace leading public relations as official publicist, the production brought fashion, media and creative storytelling together under one vision.
As the organizers look toward future editions and expanded initiatives across Canada, the message from Calgary is clear: there is an audience, an appetite and a growing community ready to see South Asian fashion not simply celebrated, but positioned confidently on the Canadian and international stage.
What began as a runway in Calgary now points toward a larger possibility — one where Pakistani and South Asian fashion can continue to cross borders, build connections and find its place within the wider international fashion conversation.
The runway has only just begun.
Topics #CANADA LIFESTYLE FASHION SHOW & EXHIBITION 2026 #city magazine #featured #News
