Fashion Pakistan Council provides young talent of the country a platform to showcase their creativity through this year's Maybelline New York Millennial Fashion Show (formerly known as GenEX). Taking place on Saturday, three days before Fashion Pakistan Week (FPW) Autumn/Winter 2014 kicks off, five young designers will get the opportunity to display their work (eight pieces) and through on-site voting, one of them will bag a free spot at FPW Spring/Summer 2015.

It is not just a chance for designers to gain experience but they will also be working with upcoming makeup artists, choreographers and models, as well as some seasoned experts who will guide them through the overwhelming process.

The budding designers who will be participating in the Millennial Fashion include:

Abel Emmanuel

Collection: Scarlet Night

Abel Emmanuel's name might sound familiar to some. A graduate of the Asian Institute of Fashion Design, Abel showcased a collection inspired by Saeed Akhtar's painting at FPW last year in the Bank Al-Falah Rising Talent segment.

Currently, the creative head of Paarcha, Abel hopes to make his name synonymous with creativity: "I have always had this dream of making women beautiful and dressing them up all the while keeping their requirements and style in mind. It is essential for me to maintain a balance between my signature style and the needs of my client."

Abel's collection this year titled 'Scarlet Night' will revolve around a monochrome theme with red giving it that pop of colour here and there.

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Madiha Raza

Collection: Flight of Birds

Madiha Raza, also like Abel Emmanuel, has some prior experience in the industry. A graduate of Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, Madiha started working with Maheen Khan on her brand Gulabo right after graduation. After gaining a couple of years of experience, she went on to launch her own brand, Handmade with her sister Imrana.

While Handmade clothing and accessories are extremely influenced by truck art and pop culture, Madiha's collection for the fashion show tomorrow is sure to surprise.

"My collection for the fashion show is inspired by tropical birds and is called 'Flight of Birds'. We are incorporating digital prints, laser cutting, layering and textures to our designs. No truck art, so it is totally different."

Talking about the prep leading up to the big day, Madiha says it's been a rewarding experience: "I am learning a lot while creating and developing something far away from my comfort zone without losing my design aesthetic. Wardha Saleem was my mentor for the fashion show and she's been a great support!"

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Aalish Mansoor Ali Samnani

Collection: Royal Soccer

Aalish Mansoor Ali Samnani could be the poster child for how hard work pays off. Hailing from a humble middle class background, Aalish made his way through the Asian Institute of Fashion Design by earning two scholarships.

After working with a handful of designers, Aalish designed to launch his own store, Illustrè.

His collection for tomorrow is called 'Royal Soccer'. Giving us some insight on it, Aalish reveals the complex idea behind the name.

"The word royalty reflects my penchant for art and architecture and the soccer part is about the hexagons and pentagons on a soccer ball, which have many sides. Just like that, my clothes also have many elements to it," said Aalish.

"The collection will be a fusion between Eastern and Western wear, tilting more towards Western," he adds. "I want to design clothes for the socialite who goes to parties and luncheons and is uber busy, one who wants effortless/easy to wear beautiful clothes, without investing too much time!"

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Sameer Sain

Collection: Modern Denimology

This young designer doesn’t have a fashion background, but that doesn’t stop him from following his inclination to create and pursue fashion. Sameer Sain believes being a self-made designer allows him to explore his passion for fashion beyond boundaries.

He started off designing for himself and his friends and upon receiving immense appreciation, he started getting orders and got recognised for his designs. That’s how his journey into the fashion world began.

'Modern Denimology' consists of denim primarily, because according to the designer, denim never gets out of style. Incorporating patchwork using jute and block prints with the eternal denim, this collection caters to the ongoing fall/winter season. Daring and quirky, Sameer Sain plans to make a mark with his debut collection titled ‘Modern Denimology’ at the Maybelline New York Millennial Fashion.

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Nitasha Yaqub

Collection: Vanishing Culture

Fresh out of college, Nitasha started her label by her name, Nitasha Yaqub last year. A graduate of the Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design, Nitasha's collection is deeply rooted in history. Taking an interest in the Anglo-Indian communities from the times of British rule who infused silhouettes brought to the subcontinent by English women with traditional wear, Nitasha aims to focus her collection on this very 'vanishing culture'.

Her collection will consist of pieces predominantly made in karandi which is a thick cloth and appropriately chosen for an autumn/winter collection.

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The Maybelline New York Millennial Fashion Show is a commendable step taken by the Fashion Pakistan Council to encourage the young minds and talent of today. There was no participation fee so it gives a chance to the designers who don't have the capital to publicise their talents to get their name out there.

Good luck to these five chosen ones. May the best designer win!