Islamabad: Pakistani fashion designer Parishae Adnan demonstrated remarkable dignity and poise during a recent television appearance on the morning show Rise and Shine, hosted by Nadia Khan alongside co host Zohaib Hassan. Invited to celebrate her milestone achievement of closing the Flying Solo showcase at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) with her sustainable collection Second Skin, Adnan found herself navigating personal scrutiny rather than discussing her international runway success.
The broadcast sparked widespread online debate over the declining standards of television journalism and the tendency of morning show formats to prioritise sensationalism and personal judgment over substantive guest accomplishments.
Pakistani fashion designer Parishae Adnan displayed a masterclass in dignity and restraint during a recent appearance on the talk show Rise and Shine, hosted by Nadia Khan alongside co-host Zohaib Hassan. Adnan had been invited to celebrate a major milestone in her career: closing the Flying Solo showcase at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) with her sustainable, upcycled collection, Second Skin.
Flying Solo is one of the largest platforms for independent designers held during NYFW. Selection to close its show is a massive international achievement for any creative, particularly a young Pakistani female entrepreneur. The appearance offered a unique opportunity for viewers to learn about South Asian craftsmanship on global runways and the complexities of circular fashion.
Instead of highlighting her work, Khan steered the interview towards videos Adnan posts from the gym and the activewear she wears in them. Asking Adnan how her parents "allowed" her to dress in activewear, the line of questioning treated an accomplished CEO and creative director as though she required parental permission for her personal wardrobe choices.
"Tell me, being in this society, the videos you make in the gym and the clothes you are wearing there, there must be a great deal of criticism. Didn’t your parents get upset at what you were doing?" Khan asked.
Adnan addressed the question calmly: "I think safety is a concern. But other than that, I’ll tell you the reason that wakes me up and takes me to the gym, the reason why I wake up in the morning and go to the gym, is that when I get messages in my inbox from all those girls, women, even men, who see something and get inspired and start their strength and self training journey, for me, that’s a big thing."
Adnan daughter of fashion industry veterans Amir Adnan and Huma Adnan has built her own creative reputation around circular design principles, constructing Second Skin entirely from archival materials, vintage bridalwear, and deadstock fabrics.
Following the broadcast, Adnan shared an Instagram video featuring clips of her reactions to the line of questioning. Her mother, Huma Adnan, commented on the post, calling the host's questions "uncalled for."
Actor Anika Zulfiqar also criticised the host publicly, stating: "Maybe do some research on your guests before the show?" Zulfiqar noted that the host resorted to "basic judgy aunty questions," adding, "The world has moved on and you're still stuck where you were. Sad."
The episode reflects a broader issue within mainstream television broadcast journalism, where sensationalism and moral policing often overshadow substantive achievement.
It is deeply unfortunate when broadcast media undermines individuals for the wrong reasons, as television show hosts resort to irrelevant, below the belt questions that drag the overall standard of reporting down and force audiences to consume tabloid style controversy rather than meaningful dialogue.
When morning show formats reduce a global artistic milestone to a debate over workout attire, it highlights a persistent gap in broadcast standards and guest engagement.
