By Rameena Gulzar
For Muhammad Usman Malik, fashion has gradually become more than just something he wears for a red carpet, a photoshoot or a public appearance. It has become part of his identity.
The Pakistani actor, model and singer has developed a reputation for taking risks with his wardrobe, moving between contemporary menswear, statement pieces and modern interpretations of traditional Pakistani clothing. His looks are rarely designed simply to blend into the background. They are meant to be noticed, but more importantly, they are meant to feel like him.
Behind much of that evolution is stylist and designer Nomi Wamqi, who has worked with Malik for several years and witnessed the transformation of his approach to fashion.
For Nomi, styling Usman has never been simply about selecting clothes. It is about understanding the person wearing them.
“Usman’s fashion is not just about the clothes; it’s about who he becomes when he wears them. He treats fashion like performance art,” Nomi says.
That attitude can be seen in Malik’s willingness to experiment. From velvet blazers and metallic trousers to sharply tailored kurta-pajamas in unexpected colours, his wardrobe often combines classic elements with something less familiar. There is an obvious interest in texture, colour, tailoring and silhouette, but the common thread running through his choices is confidence.
“You can give the same outfit to someone else, and it won’t necessarily have the same impact. Usman owns every look,” Nomi explains.
It is an idea that goes beyond Pakistan. Across the international fashion and entertainment landscape, celebrities have increasingly used clothing as a form of personal storytelling. Men’s fashion, in particular, has moved away from the idea that dressing well means following a strict formula. Individuality, experimentation and personal identity have become just as important as traditional ideas of elegance.
Malik’s style journey reflects that change in its own way.
According to Nomi, there was a time when Usman was more conscious of how people might react to his choices. The fear of being judged could make him hesitate. As his confidence grew, however, so did his willingness to experiment.
“Usman used to hold back. He felt judged. But the moment he let go of that fear, he transformed. Now, he dresses with purpose,” Nomi says.
That shift is arguably what makes his fashion evolution interesting. The change is not simply about wearing more dramatic clothes. It is about becoming more comfortable with self-expression.
And that is where Malik’s style can offer something to the everyday man.
The lesson is not necessarily to copy his most extravagant looks. Instead, it is about taking the idea behind them and making them your own. A statement jacket can be paired with understated trousers. Traditional clothing can be given a contemporary feel through better tailoring or an unexpected colour. Even a simple outfit can look polished when the fit is right and the wearer feels comfortable in it.
For Nomi, confidence remains the most important element.
Clothes may create the first impression, but the person wearing them ultimately determines whether the look works.
Malik’s evolving wardrobe, therefore, represents more than a collection of fashionable outfits. It reflects a growing confidence in his own identity and a willingness to move beyond conventional expectations of how a male celebrity should dress.
With Nomi Wamqi helping shape that visual journey, fashion has become another way for Malik to communicate with an audience without saying a word.
Perhaps that is what makes his style evolution worth watching. It is not about following every trend or dressing for approval. It is about finding the freedom to experiment, taking ownership of what you wear and, ultimately, allowing your clothes to tell your story.
(Rameena Gulzar is an M.Phil. Journalism student. She is passionate about lifestyle journalism and storytelling.)
