Emaan Zishan: Inspiring the Future of South Asian Representation

Emaan Zishan’s debut on the Prada Spring/Summer 2026 runway earlier this year was impossible to ignore—it’s not every day that a Pakistani face is scouted by leading casting director, Ashley Brokaw. As the 21-year-old went on to walk for Dior, Dries Van Noten, Alaïa, and Chanel, and even opened for Jean Paul Gaultier, it became clear that her presence in the fashion world was about something bigger than her.

It is only the beginning of a long journey of opening doors for little girls who see themselves in her. Describing her younger self as her inspiration today, the newcomer hopes that high fashion will someday be exclusive to no one. Zishan holds onto her childhood dreams with every step she takes in her career, truly grounded in what her achievements mean for her community. 

“My parents didn’t grow up familiar with the industry because there was no one who looked like them—that idea was out of the picture,” she says. “Making them proud makes me so happy. Even my cousin’s parents constantly remind me that they want their kids to look up to me, and keeping that in mind is what fuels me.”

Zishan sees fashion as a vehicle of storytelling, explaining, “In this industry, we tell a story through multiple eyes, because of that, it can be defined in so many ways and connect with many different audiences.” The model sees her presence on the runway, wearing creations inspired by global designers and their stories, as her voice in the wider story. She hopes her representation will allow young people, women, and South Asians to feel a part of the story that global couture aims to tell. These garments on her body, uplifted by her features—they become ours rather than just theirs. 

Travelling between fashion capitals, being away from family is not easy for any 21-year-old, but Zishan carries herself with a distinguished ease and poise, speaking modestly on her achievements. “Ultimately, I want to give at least one little Pakistani girl hope,” she says, echoing her move into an industry that hasn’t always celebrated people like her. “If even one little girl can feel more confident or more beautiful just because she saw me do what I thought was completely impossible, then I’ll be happy forever.”