In a private Kabul villa, young Afghans build the courage to finally follow their dreams and take part in the careers they’ve always wanted to pursue since the fall of the Taliban. They walked down the catwalk, exhibiting Afghan traditional clothes and costumes, watched by an audience of 100 men and women.
Ajmal Haqiqi is the guy behind the idea of introducing Afghanistan to the world of Fashion after so many years of a complete ban of the promotion of fashion. He told the Daily Mail that putting on the show in the private Kabul villa was worth the risk despite the daily threats of possible attacks on him. He told The Associated Press, “I told myself, if a suicide bomber attacks us, even if I lose my hands and feet, I will continue on the way that I have chosen.”
His products have now reached different parts of the world like Europe and America. He stated in an interview with TOLO News, “I started my work six years ago with the aim of reviving the Afghan Culture and introduce it to the world,” adding that his products are ordered from Europe and America for weddings and various events.
The show was the first, after many years, for all-Afghan audiences by all- Afghan models wearing the Afghan traditional clothes.
The most exciting and courageous part of the show was the fact, despite Afghan women working as models being seen as taboo in Afghanistan, there were still Afghan women models who took part in the show.
Women in Afghanistan are now building the courage to work towards their careers and working but there are still women in the country who stay at home and avoid going outside without the blue burqas on, which cover them from head to toe, that was once forced upon them by the Taliban.
The Haqiqi Modeling Agency is new and one of the first to expose the fashion world to its people and everyone interested. They have appeared on many talk shows on the TOLO TV and have discussed the purpose of the agency as well as showcasing some of their work.
Kabul has been attacked by suicide bombers continuously the last few months. One of the attacks took place in the Western neighbourhood where one of Haqiqi’s shows took place. The area was a target as there are many private schools and politicians that are based there.
One of the female models for Haqiqi, Husna Sadat, told the Daily Mail, “If we can change the mentality of our people from all these years of fighting, then I am sure the people can be ready for a better future.”
Atefa Fasihi, who joined Haqiqi at the age of 21, said, “Everybody is scared, but … we are working to promote our Afghan culture, so I foresee a good future.”
The Afghanistan of Today 