Karachi’s fashion industry made me cry: Ali Xeeshan makes startling revelations

Ali Xeeshan rose to great heights as a young designer, hailing from Lahore, and known for his retro-cool designs.
Recently, he was invited as a guest on Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast. Xeeshan talked candidly about the ‘mistreatment’ he faced in the fashion industry. He also discussed the comments made against his mother by a prominent editor. Xeeshan responded forcefully to influential members of the fashion business who, he believes, are a group of selected elite.

Talking specifically the Karachi fashion industry’s attitude, Xeeshan said, “After I was given a platform in Lahore, I became an instant star there. But the Karachi fashion industry didn’t like it because people started recognizing me as a fashion designer. So, I decided to go to Karachi. As a young fashion graduate, I felt intimidated by all the big names in the industry. While I was sitting with them, Raheel Rao from Diva magazine showed me his article about my fashion show in Lahore. He said, ‘Look, I reviewed your work. Read my article about you.’ He criticized my work harshly, calling it ‘trash’ and ‘worthless.’ His words hurt me deeply. The Karachi fashion industry made me cry. I went to my car and cried as if I had lost something dear to me. I am a fashion graduate, and he had no right to critique my work without a degree. He had no authority to question my talent.”

Talking about Raheal’s remarks regarding his mother, Ali said, “He kept teasing me while I was organizing a fashion show in Lahore. My mother was away on Umrah, so I had kept a chair empty for her. During the fashion show, he called it a circus in town and even posted on Facebook about me, saying, Holy Cow, What The __ is Ali Zeeshan is wearing! You don’t have the right to criticise my fashion or work. Later, at the after-party, he tapped my shoulder and asked, “Which mother gave birth to this guy? I couldn’t hold back my anger and ended up slapping him. I’m sorry I lost my temper. I want to urge everyone to stop bullying others and just accept them as they are.”
In response to Xeeshan’s accusations, The Current reached out to Raheal Rao for comment. However, Rao declined to comment on the matter.