There is something surreal about returning to Paris during Haute Couture Week — not simply because of the spectacle of the shows, but because this city represents the beginning of my own journey in fashion.
Years ago, I walked through the doors of the Istituto Marangoni Paris as a student, eager to learn, absorb everything around me and dream of building a career in the fashion industry. This time, I returned not as a student, but as a Pakistani celebrity stylist attending couture shows while also having the privilege of being invited back by my school to attend the current students’ fashion show and share my journey, experiences and advice with the next generation of creative minds.
That invitation became one of the most meaningful moments of my trip to Paris. Walking through those halls reminded me that careers are rarely linear. The dreams you quietly nurture as a student can eventually take you to places you never imagined — sometimes bringing you back to where they first began.
Haute Couture Week occupies a unique place in the fashion calendar. Unlike Paris Fashion Week, where designers present ready-to-wear collections intended for commercial production, Haute Couture Week represents the highest expression of craftsmanship.
