Behind the glamour, Maheen Khan exposes the rotten core of fashion journalism

Renowned Pakistani designer and fashion icon Maheen Khan is known for her candour, and her recent comments have rekindled a longstanding discussion about fashion journalism in Pakistan.

On the FWhy Podcast with Feriha Altaf, Maheen Khan openly shared her frustration with self-proclaimed "fashion journalists," attributing part of the decline of Pakistan’s Fashion Weeks and Councils to them.

"What I am about to say comes from deep within my heart... the individuals who are partly accountable for the downfall of our fashion weeks are these so-called journalists," she said.

Highlighting the lack of industry knowledge among critics, she didn’t hold back: "You don't know a thing about fashion. Who made you queen of fashion? Who gave you the right to criticise designers?" she questioned bluntly.

By drawing parallels to global fashion media figures like Anna Wintour and Suzy Menkes, Maheen highlighted how international fashion journalists, despite their clout, exhibit a degree of "containment and sophistication" in their assessments.

"No one openly declares [that a] collection was awful," she remarked, contrasting it with the harsh and often demoralising local reviews designers encounter after every show.

The conversation also touched on the importance of personal presentation, with Maheen arguing that fashion journalists should "look the part."

When Feriha countered that icons like Suzy Menkes have a distinct style of their own, Maheen stood her ground, asserting that a fashion journalist's credibility extends to how they carry themselves visually.

In a blistering critique of contemporary media practices, Maheen expressed her dismay that a significant portion of modern fashion journalism is nothing more than "paid content."

"Pay up, and watch the spectacle. Everything you witness on social media has been sponsored. There’s no genuine journalism left," she lamented, illustrating a bleak landscape of a monetised, creativity-deprived fashion industry.

Her remarks triggered swift responses online. Some praised her for shedding light on "harsh truths", while others respectfully disagreed, claiming that the real decline of Pakistan’s fashion scene is a result of internal politics, excessive commercialisation, and the failure of councils to innovate without corporate backing.

One user on social media highlighted, "The trivial politics among fashion insiders themselves led to the councils' downfall, not journalists." Another remarked, "Fashion media worldwide has become monetized. This isn't merely a Pakistan-centric issue." 

Although Maheen Khan’s perspective resonated with many, some felt her delivery was overly severe. 

"Even when pointing out incompetence, it’s beneficial to communicate with grace—especially for someone of Maheen’s prominence," one commented.