Zunaira Malik, a recent West Virginia University Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) graduate, premiered two collections at the 2025 New York Fashion Week, with current students and faculty there to cheer her on.
Malik was a non-degree student who worked on one of her NYFW collections, “Vintage Whispers,” before completing her studies in December 2024.
“I learned different things from different teachers in WVU and when I wove them together, I realized I had created something very special and that is a “beautiful collage of success,” Malik said.
She credits professors Colleen Moretz, Angela Uriyo, Elizabeth Shorrock, Jordan Masters and Katie Jones with building the skills and connections needed to premiere at NYFW.
“I told Colleen that I wanted to show my upcoming collection to a broader audience and asked her how,” Malik said.
Moretz connected Malik with Susan Liebesman, founder of B2B Management, who was producing at NYFW. Liebesman offered Malik an open spot in her show.
“I did not hesitate to say yes,” Malik said. “I did not want to leave this opportunity behind.”
Fashion is a second career for Malik, who worked 15 years as an interior designer, and fulfills a childhood dream. Now, she’s using her designs to give a voice to kids whose artwork may be overlooked. She visited the homes of young, autistic children and transformed their works into sustainably made pieces in her second collection, “Hidden Brilliance.” Proceeds from the collection will support people on the spectrum.
“This collection helps you get to know autistic children in a very beautiful way,” Malik said.
“Autism is not contagious, but your smile is for them.”
zunaira malik
>Originally from Pakistan, Malik returned there to complete her pieces and raise awareness about autism spectrum disorder.
“My production team asked, ‘What is your autism collection?’ and I told them what autism is, and they spread the knowledge everywhere,” Malik said. “That was a big achievement. I just went there for production, but we ended up getting 50 kids into therapies.”
On February 10, both collections took the runway at The Manhattan Mirage. The event was Malik’s first experience as a designer for a major fashion show.
“My favorite part of the trip was the day of casting. It was a mixture of excitement and chaos.”
Malik’s designs, particularly “Hidden Brilliance,” left an impact on the NYFW audience.
“People were really crying. I didn’t say a word but the PowerPoint, the drawings on the screens and the dresses were speaking for themselves.”
Current College of Creative Arts and Media FDM students and faculty surprised Malik with a trip to New York to support her show.
“The moment I knew they were on their way was the proudest moment of my life,” Malik said. “It gave me strength. It felt like my family was standing by my side. All my fears disappeared knowing that I would be among my people. I felt so valued.”
The FDM program and the NYFW opportunity gave Malik a head start in her new career.
“I am at a place I always wanted to be thanks to my professors and West Virginia University,” Malik said. “I felt like I stepped out of a dark cave into a light where I can navigate paths for my future.”
For more information about the FDM program, visit artanddesign.wvu.edu.
To see more of Zunaira’s work, visit zunairamalik.com or on Instagram at zunairamalik.official.