Hussain Rehar’s Cannes appearance marks a new era for Pakistani fashion

Rehar to debut on the Cannes red carpet’s 79th edition with his collection, Lahore – A Knot in South Asia’s Loom

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Photo: Hussainrehar/Instagram

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A historic moment for Pakistan unfolded at this year’s Cannes Film Festival as Pakistani fashion designer Hussain Rehar highlighted the event by becoming the first Pakistani designer to debut on the Cannes red carpet’s 79th edition with his collection, Lahore – A Knot in South Asia’s Loom.

The collection will be presented alongside luxury houses such as Gucci and Roberto Cavalli, showcasing Pakistan as a source of fashion, craft and cultural inspiration. The exhibition will be an invite-only event at Château St. George.

Sharing the details online, Rehar posted on the brand’s page, calling the collection “a decolonisation of fashion through Lahore craftsmanship and South Asian authorship.” He further elaborated on the theme in his post, saying the collection celebrates Lahore through its rich textile heritage, fashion and culture.

Rehar also dived deep into the collection’s anti-colonial message, sharing that the work confronts the fashion industry’s erasure of “South Asian craftsmanship,” while calling out how traditions like zardozi, phulkari, khussa and maang tikka have been renamed and stripped of their origins.

His message on the matter was clear: “You cannot rename what you did not make,” distinguishing between what is called inspiration and what becomes erasure. Sharing his thoughts further, he stated that if a kimono can be called a kimono, then a dupatta should also be called a dupatta. He added that this is not just a collection, but a “return of signature, stitch and source.”

Further expanding on his message, Rehar called for recognition of Lahore and the subcontinent’s influence on global fashion and craftsmanship.

This is not the designer’s first international appearance. He previously presented his collection Jeevan in Paris Fashion Week, where the collection highlighted the intricate work perfected by Pakistani craftsmen.

Before Rehar, it was Natasha Kamal who showcased her work at Paris Fashion Week as part of a special exhibition featuring couturiers from 14 countries, promoting peace and cultural dialogue.