- The Pakistani fashion and beauty industry was rocked by a scandal where a makeup artist was physically assaulted by model Robina Khan ‘s husband and guards during a photoshoot.
- Model Mushk Kaleem initially shared the incident, leading others like Erica Robin and Yusra Shahid to speak out against the assault and name the model involved, Robina Khan Shah.
- Robina Khan Shah offered her side of the story, claiming the makeup artist insulted her, which led to a confrontation where her husband intervened. The industry condemns violence, but debates continue about the incident’s circumstances.
The fashion and beauty sector of Pakistan faced a significant scandal following recent revelations. It was reported that a makeup artist was subjected to a physical assault by the spouse of a model, accompanied by security personnel, during a photoshoot session.
Mushk Kaleem, a model, initially brought this incident to public attention. She shared her perspective of the incident on her Instagram story, prompting others to speak out about the occurrence.
Subsequently, it emerged that Bryan William, a professional and renowned makeup artist, had been attacked by the husband of model Robina Khan. The alleged reason behind the assault was Bryan’s purported refusal to carry Robina’s personal mobile phone.
Mushk’s comprehensive statement conveyed the distressing incident: “Imagine being on a peaceful shoot, only to have a spouse and their accomplices arrive with weapons and physically assault someone. It’s appalling and deeply unsettling. I hope the model involved is identified, and I trust that no designer, model, or photographer will collaborate with her in the future. The Nabila team must take corrective action to safeguard its staff.”
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Account from an Observer
Model Erica Robin subsequently reposted Mushk’s account and validated the narrative, stating, “As an eyewitness, I can attest that what I saw was extremely distressing and disturbing.” Both Erica and Mushk were the initial individuals to speak out due to their presence on the set during the incident. However, they refrained from revealing the model whose husband was responsible for the attack.
Industry Voices
Following their revelations, artist Yusra Shahid took to her Instagram story, publicly naming the implicated model and condemning her conduct. Yusra expressed, “Shame on you, Robina Khan Shah! Employing thugs to assault a makeup artist simply because he declined to carry your personal belongings is utterly disgraceful, disrespectful, and illegal. Such treatment is wholly inappropriate.”
Mushk subsequently re-shared Yusra’s account, further addressing Robina Khan and asserting, “Robina Khan Shah, you should feel ashamed. Resorting to violence and having your husband assault a makeup artist is a mark of moral bankruptcy. Words fail me. The entire fashion community, encompassing designers, fellow models, makeup artists, and photographers, should disassociate from this individual.”
The instant news broke, numerous figures within the beauty and fashion sectors expressed their dismay and outrage on social media. They condemned Robina for instigating violence in a professional environment and discussed the prevalent negative attitudes towards makeup artists, which contribute to such mistreatment during shoots.
Throughout this ordeal, Bryan William chose to remain silent, while his friends and colleagues rallied in support. However, he shared several Instagram stories condemning the attack and urging accountability from Robina Khan.
“An Alternative Account”
Since the news emerged, Robina Khan offered her version of events. According to her, the situation escalated when the makeup artist allegedly insulted her and used offensive language when asked to hold her mobile phone during her photo sessions. Matters took a negative turn when her spouse arrived to pick her up and demanded an explanation for the perceived mistreatment. Learning that Bryan was responsible, Robina’s husband reportedly slapped him.
“There are always two sides to a story, and I, as a mother and professional model responsible for caring for my ailing parents, and as a dedicated wife, present mine. No husband would tolerate his wife being disrespected as a ‘low-value model.’ The dispute arose when I requested the makeup artist to hold my phone while I was preparing for my shoot today. His blunt refusal, coupled with derogatory remarks about a ‘low-value’ model like me, angered me. My reaction was a response to his own disrespectful behaviour.”
Robina continued, “Amidst this chaos, my husband was informed by my driver about the incident. No respectable husband would tolerate his wife being verbally abused without cause. When he arrived, he inquired about the offender and the makeup artist rudely identified himself, questioning my husband’s concern. My husband’s anger stemmed from the makeup artist’s condescension, leading to the confrontation.”
Robina further asserted that Bryan had belittled her and her career as a professional model, suggesting his behaviour was unwarranted. “Consider whether it is justified for a makeup artist to mistreat me over such a minor issue, damaging my reputation on set. Amplifying this incident and placing blame on my husband and me is unjust.”
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She added, “This situation has caused us significant mental distress. To those discussing it without understanding my perspective, consider how you or your loved ones would react to workplace abuse. If it is unacceptable for my husband to react physically, how is it acceptable to label my professional model career as insignificant?”
Robina also challenged fellow models, asking how long they would tolerate such misconduct within the industry, which still faces prejudice. “Why do my fellow models accept this demeaning label? How much longer will we endure diminishing our profession and hard work?”
However, the fashion industry consistently maintains that resorting to physical violence remains unjustifiable in any circumstance.