Durefishan Saleem in Mihha at LAAM Fashion Week 2026: The Salmon Lehenga and the Mawra Hocane Debate
Updated 5 November 2026 · Facts checked against coverage in Dawn Images, Gloss Etc, Minute Mirror, Reviewit and Dailyinfotainment
Durefishan Saleem opened LAAM Fashion Week 2026 looking like every Pakistani girl’s dream dulhan. As the showstopper for Mihha on Day 1 in Lahore, she walked out under a caramel organza dupatta heavy with gold zardozi, over a dusty salmon lehenga, folded her hands in thanks and smiled the smile that made Ishq Murshid a phenomenon. Within hours, though, social media had a question: hadn’t Mawra Hocane worn almost the same lehenga for Mihha in 2024? Here is the full look decoded, the debate explained fairly, what the critics said about the rest of the collection, and how to wear salmon and gold this wedding season.
See Durefishan Saleem’s Mihha walk on LAAM’s Instagram
Photo: @laamofficial on Instagram
AT A GLANCE
- Who: Durefishan Saleem, showstopper
- Designer: Mihha (written MIHHA on the runway, Mihha Official on social media)
- Event: LAAM Fashion Week Season 2, Day 1, 23 October 2026, Lahore
- The look: Caramel organza dupatta with gold zardozi borders, gold embroidered shirt, dusty salmon lehenga with gold stripes
- Jewellery: Gold kundan style choker and jhumkay
- The debate: A near repeat of the Mihha lehenga Mawra Hocane wore in 2024
- Price: Not published
Why Durefishan was the perfect opener
Few actresses have had a run like Durefishan Saleem. Her Mehak in Kaisi Teri Khudgharzi made her a household name, and then Shibra in Ishq Murshid, opposite Bilal Abbas Khan, turned her into one of the most loved faces on Pakistani television. Fans love her because she never feels distant: she is the kind of star who looks like she would happily sit with your family at a wedding.
That warmth is exactly what Mihha’s finale needed. Instead of a fierce runway walk, Durefishan gave the audience a dulhan moment: dupatta over her head, hands pressed together, a wide and genuinely happy smile. It was soft, traditional and very hard not to love.
The look, decoded
Many reports called it a salmon lehenga. Up close, the photos show a richer mix of colours.
The dupatta. The hero of the look. A sheer caramel, almost bronze organza dupatta with wide gold zardozi borders and scattered sequins, worn over the head like a ghoonghat and draped down both arms. It frames the face beautifully and is what makes the whole outfit read as bridal.
The shirt. A fitted shirt in the same caramel tone, covered in gold embroidery: tiny florals across the body, a heavier band at the neckline and a thick embellished border at the hem. Reports noted that this 2026 version had a sheer, unlined section at the midriff.
The lehenga. A dusty salmon, almost rose gold skirt with fine vertical gold stripes. Under the runway lights it glows salmon, which is why most outlets called it that, and it is the softest part of the outfit.
Jewellery and beauty. A gold kundan style choker with a hanging centre drop, matching gold jhumkay, centre parted hair under the dupatta, and fresh, dewy makeup with soft brown eyes and a nude pink lip. Classic, not trendy, which is exactly why it works.
Caramel, salmon and gold, a dupatta over the head and folded hands: the most dulhan moment of LAAM Fashion Week.
The Mawra Hocane debate, explained fairly
Soon after the show, fans began sharing Durefishan’s look side by side with photos of Mawra Hocane as Mihha’s showstopper in 2024, in a very similar salmon toned lehenga with bridal zardozi. Here is what the coverage actually says:
- Similar or identical? Most outlets called it a “striking resemblance”. Some went further and called it the same outfit.
- The difference people spotted: Mawra’s 2024 version had a structured, lined bodice. Durefishan’s 2026 version had a sheer, unlined midriff panel.
- The fan reaction was mixed. Many simply said both actresses looked gorgeous. Others asked why a lead actress closing a big show was not given a brand new design.
- The critics agreed with that second group. Dawn Images found the repeat puzzling, given how strong the rest of the collection was, and felt a leading star deserved a fresh piece and sharper styling.
- Brand response: None of the coverage we read reported a statement from Mihha.
Our take: a beautiful outfit is a beautiful outfit, and Durefishan carried it with real joy. But on a runway, the showstopper piece is supposed to be the newest idea in the room, and this time it was not.
The rest of the Mihha show: brown, gold and critically loved
Here is the twist: while the internet argued about one lehenga, the critics fell for everything else. You can see it in the runway photo above too, with models in gold and brown lehengas lined up behind Durefishan.
- Dawn Images called Mihha’s LAAM debut the best collection of the first night. The reviewer praised the visible craftsmanship, especially the stitching on blouses and bodices, loved the mocha, brown and chocolate palette, and predicted it would sell.
- Gloss Etc described an all brown and gold lineup with strong finishing, detailed embroidery and neat cuts, and said the brand’s clean, minimal look, first seen at Hum’s Bridal Couture Week, has matured. The one wish: a little more colour, such as maroon, black or beige.
For brides planning a 2027 wedding, that is the real news. Brown, mocha and gold is shaping up as a serious alternative to the usual red and pink.
Price and where to buy
Mihha has not published a price for Durefishan’s runway look, and we will not guess one. LAAM Fashion Week runs on a runway to e-tail model, meaning looks from the shows are meant to reach shoppers online through the LAAM app and website, so that is the best place to watch. For bridal and formal pieces like this, expect to be asked for measurements and a lead time of several weeks, so start early if you have a December or January wedding.
We are tracking it. Join the SaleSiren WhatsApp group and we will tell you when Mihha’s LAAM pieces go live.
How to wear salmon and gold like Durefishan
- Pick one big jewellery piece. Durefishan wears one strong gold choker and simple jhumkay. With a heavy dupatta, more would be too much.
- Wear the dupatta on your head for the nikkah or rukhsati moment, then switch to one shoulder for photos and the reception.
- Add an emerald touch through bangles or a ring if you want contrast. Green and salmon is a classic Mughal pairing.
- Keep makeup soft and warm. Peach blush, brown eyeshadow and a nude pink lip. A bright red lip fights with salmon.
- For bridesmaids and sisters: take only the dupatta idea. A caramel or bronze organza dupatta with a gold border lifts a plain salmon or rose gold suit instantly.
THE SALESIREN VERDICT
The look: 9/10. Warm, bridal and perfectly suited to Durefishan.
Originality: 5/10. A repeat of a 2024 showstopper piece, on the brand’s biggest night yet.
The collection: Critics’ favourite of Day 1. Worth a look if you are planning a wedding.
Steal this: The caramel organza dupatta with gold borders over a soft salmon base.
Frequently asked questions
What did Durefishan Saleem wear at LAAM Fashion Week 2026?
Durefishan Saleem closed Mihha’s show on Day 1, 23 October 2026, in a caramel organza dupatta with gold zardozi borders, a gold embroidered shirt and a dusty salmon lehenga with gold stripes, with a gold choker and jhumkay.
Which designer did Durefishan Saleem walk for?
She was the showstopper for Mihha, written MIHHA on the runway and Mihha Official on social media.
Did Durefishan Saleem wear Mawra Hocane’s outfit?
Her lehenga was very similar to the Mihha outfit Mawra Hocane wore as the brand’s showstopper in 2024. Reports noted one visible difference: Mawra’s had a lined bodice, while Durefishan’s had a sheer, unlined midriff panel. Mihha did not comment.
What did critics say about Mihha at LAAM Fashion Week?
Dawn Images called it the best collection of the first night and praised its craftsmanship and brown and gold palette. Gloss Etc praised the finishing and embroidery but wished for more colour. Dawn Images also questioned why the showstopper wore a repeated look.
How much is Durefishan Saleem’s Mihha lehenga?
Mihha has not published a price. LAAM Fashion Week looks are meant to be sold online through the LAAM app and website.
What dramas is Durefishan Saleem known for?
She is best known for Ishq Murshid, opposite Bilal Abbas Khan, and Kaisi Teri Khudgharzi.
Sources: Dawn Images and Gloss Etc (reviews of Mihha’s collection and the showstopper), Minute Mirror, Reviewit and Dailyinfotainment (the Mawra Hocane comparison and fan reaction), The Nation (LAAM Fashion Week facts). The two runway photos belong to their owners. Other images are original illustrations by SaleSiren.pk.
