Kashmir, slowly returning to normal life, witnessed its first fashion show called 'The Kashmir Fashion Show' recently. The show - Walk in Paradise - was held at Sheri Kashmir International Convention Centre(SKICC) in Srinagar, not just breaking a stereotype but making a strong statement in a state wherewith the onset of militancy since 1989-90 many women were forced to go back in veil or burqa, failing which they were attacked or shot at.

Post-removal of the controversial Article 370 of the Indian Constitution which protected its 'special status', and in many ways perpetuated the status quo, Kashmir is witnessing sweeping changes and they are not merely political ones.

Mir Junaid, president of Jammu Kashmir Workers Party, himself led the initiative breaking the barriers in even men's fashion by showing up in a pair of torn jeans, t-shirt and puffer jacket, completely unexpected by a politician in Kashmir.

"In politics, we are supposed to be wearing kurta-pajama and suits, but I realised when these young girls and boys are breaking this stereotyping in Kashmir, I thought that charity begins at home", Junaid said, according to Indian Blooms. 

Out of the enlisted participants in the fashion show 25 finalists were selected for the finale of the contest, where women expressed their modelling skills amidst the chief guest and Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, Pandurang K. Pole.

A ten-day grooming workshop to harness the best of personal style etiquette was open for all participants leading up to the finale, where Shenaz from Ladakh was crowned winner of the 'Walk in Paradise' fashion show.

The presence of an exultant crowd and local celebrities like Danish Kak and Shazia ignited hope for more displays of Kashmiri talent in the future. 

Smriti Sharma, a Kashmiri origin woman in her 40s now living in Goa, says, "A fashion show in Kashmir is a breakthrough and unheard of, women usually are all covered; you can find women in a burqa in most parts of Srinagar as well."

While reminiscing about the childhood days, she says, "We used to wear jeans and t-shirts when we were kids; women could never be seen wearing the same."

The event  organised by Royal Kashmir Events, Cafe Smookah and "I have a dream", saw Mir Junaid clarifying, “A lot of people wondered as to why I have worn a casual jeans and full sleeves t-shirt as an outfit, I did not respond to them then, but I would say now that it was a mark of respect for these young artists out here."

Breaking cultural and sartorial barriers in Kashmir, which lived under the shadow of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, is not easy. ‘Walk in Paradise’ could be the first step towards a new and more fashion-liberal Kashmir.