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LAWN WARS
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t’s that time of the year again. You can see them all gearing up, wallets in hand, with those eyes filled with an unquenchable thirst for something they have been waiting for since the same time last year. Yes, it is the lawn season, and 2011 has officially kicked off in full swing. So, without much further ado, “let the games begin”. It is safe to say that I have received more invites for lawn exhibitions and launches than weddings this season. I am sure that says something about me but let’s not get into that. This week, I had the pleasure of attending one of the many fashion shows/exhibitions of the lawn brigade. It was the Ittehad textiles show and they had collaborated with seven designers to showcase various themes from their Spring Summer lawn collection. It was a very elegant affair put together by Qasim Yar Tiwana and conceptualised by Ather Shehzad. The invites, red carpet, seating arrangement and the overall decor were surprisingly done extremely tastefully compared to the usual lawn fashion shows that one is used to. With HSY doing the choreography with the industry’s ‘A’ list models and designer big wigs such as Nilofer Shahid, Sublime,
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Khadija Shah, Ali Xeeshan, and Mehdi, the has come into its own over the past five years. event really did up the ante among all the other Gone are the days where lawn was treated as formats of unveiling lawn collections through merely a masses product that didn’t deserve simple exhibitions. any attention to actual branding and creative Being a westernwear designer mainly, I advertising. Nowadays the biggest budgets for made the intelligent choice of sitting next to fashion campaigns in Pakistan are mostly of someone who is one of my favourite designers lawn brands. The whole notion of pairing up when it comes to easternwear. Ask me to make with a high-end designer label has proved to be a traditional beautiful lengha and I’ll think “the” thing to do to launch yourself into the learning Chinese might be easier. Hence, lawn playing field. Almost every single high-end Maheen Kardar and Saad Ali of Karma kept me bridal designer is launching his lawn collection company as we shared quite a few giggles and not to name the list of models that have also praises, while sitting next to the head ramp of jumped on the bandwagon. The idea is to put the show. Although, without being specific, I do the essential two ingredients together; technical have to say, some creatures are just not meant expertise/production capabilities along with for the catwalk. In fact, I an icon with mass pull was left wondering if that The idea is to put the essential and brand power. This could even be categorised two ingredients together; is Pakistan’s answer as “walking”. Her stride a list of successful technical expertise/production to seemed more like a business models involving bow-legged, flat-footed capabilities along with an icon collaborations between alien, trying to take off with mass pull and brand power international luxury into mid-air, confusing designers with high street its arms for wings while under the influence retail giants. Target, H&M and Topshop are of some dubious substances. Some 70 outfits a few of the retailers who started this global later, I had printed lawn coming out of every trend by tapping luxury powerhouses and crevice of my body and if I saw another flower fashion icons such as Isaac Mizrahi, Karl print I was ready to hang myself from the light Lagerfeld, Roberto Cavalli, Jimmy Choo, Stella trusses above the catwalk as the grand finale of McCartney, Madonna, and Kate Moss to name the evening. I know this sentiment of mine was a few. Last year, the Kareena Kapoor billboards shared as I saw hordes of people charging for had the whole nation staring in awe as they the dinner buffet as soon as the show ended. caused every single traffic violation possible This was Lawn Wars at its best. The saving grace in the rulebook. This year, Sushmita Sen and was the food, which was actually not bad at all, Deepika Padukone have made life hell for all and I saw many supermodels escape into dark traffic wardens in the city. Imagine the look on corners as they devoured some saucy chicken. his face when you try to come up with some It was nice to socialise with the industry lot lame excuse for breaking a red light while you and the usual socialites as we spoke about the stared at Miss Universe and just didn’t feel like long summer ahead of us. My highlight of the taking your foot off the accelerator while your night had to be seeing my close friend, Hamza heartbeat was racing wild. Tarrar up and about again in his usual upbeat I guess the lawn season has something to manner and looking decadent as ever in a Black offer to everyone and with this year’s barrage Confederate sherwani from my MJ collection of gorgeous campaigns, it’s safe to say, “women that only he has the charisma to pull off. won’t be having all the fun”. On a serious note, the lawn industry really Write to me at ammar@ammarbelal.com
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Willglory be ours? By Bushra Shehzad
The ICC World Cup 2011 is in full swing. Before it began, predictions as to who would carry the cup home were abound. Pakistan’s team was the least favourite. With a cricket board ravaged by corruption and politics, analysts were critical of Pakistan’s performance. Aggravating the whole situation were the bans on three of it’s star players, Muhammad Asif, Muhammad Amir and Salman Butt. But the game started and what we witnessed was an excellent game. Up until now, our team stands as the top-ranked in the World Cup and it hasn’t lost a single game. Cheers of Boom Boom Afridi are everywhere and sports analysts are finally optimistic. So will glory be ours this time? Will Bob Wolmer’s soul finally be ble to rest in peace? We decided to capture the air of enthusiasm and positivity among the crowds through Facebook statuses and Tweets:
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Pepsi cricket revolution For the Cricket crazy nation it’s time again to be gripped by the World Cup fervour. And Pepsi, the ardent supporter of the game, will be alongside not just the cricket enthusiasts but also the players as the global partner of the ICC World Cup 2011. Pepsi PCB Cricket Star campaign is a testament of Pepsi’s commitment towards promoting and development of cricket. Following in the same tradition Pepsi marks another first with the launch of Pepsi Cricket Revolution, Pakistan’s first and world’s best PC cricket game. Pepsi Cricket Revolution, a 3D multiplayer cricket sports action title for the PC developed by Mindstorm Studios Pakistan, with innovative gameplay, single and multiplayer game modes, local and global tournaments, and challenging AI (Artificial Intelligence) opponents that learn
from your every move, is a cricket gaming experience unlike any other! Gaming tournaments of the Pepsi Cricket Revolution will be held at its various partner gaming zones in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad from 13th February 2011 to 8th March 2011. A 5-over match will allow top 50 participants (in each city) by 8th March, to be selected for the Knock Out Rounds of Pepsi Cricket Revolution Challenge! The winners will get a chance to win a prize as big as a 100,000, so what more could you ask for along with your favorite refreshing drink and one that never stops short of fulfilling its promises and slogans. More information on Pepsi Cricket Revolution is available on http:// www.pepsiworld.com.pk/worldcup
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Cricket world cup conjecture Ali Zafar (Actor/singer) Besides Pakistan which is your favourite team and why? India, because they have a great fighting lineup. Which team, in your opinion is the favourite in the world to win this world cup? Australia, India, South Africa and, of course, Pakistan. How do you think Pakistan will do in the World Cup? They have already put up a great show. You can see them give their best which is what matters. I think they would make it to the semis at least.
Do you think we are fielding the best team we could have managed in the current situation? Well, Amir would’ve made a big difference had he been in the team. I would say Ajmal should be bowling. What will your comment be if Pakistan doesn’t even make it to the semi-finals? Better luck next time boys! If we win the Cup, what in your opinion would be biggest factor? The captain. And the fact that God wants to make way for some good news for our people who only get to hear bad news these days.
Huma Adnan (Fashion Designer) Besides Pakistan which is your favourite team and why? My second favourite team after Pakistan is Australia. They are a tough one to beat and have shown a lot of good cricket in the past against Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India. To you which side is the favourite to win this World Cup? Our team is marred by scandals at every turn, but somehow manages to pull victory out of the hat. They are like wounded tigers and can strike back... I hope. How do you think Pakistan will do in the World Cup? Pakistan works best under pressure, barring some silly mistakes. They are still a very talented team with youth as well as 40 I March 13 - 19, 2011
experience on their side. Do you think we are fielding the best team we could have managed in the current situation? We do have a strong side and if we are persistently under pressure, some surprise results can come. What will your comment be if Pakistan doesn’t even make it to the semi-finals? Well if we lose, it will be very disappointing for all the Pakistanis! If we win the Cup, what in your opinion would be biggest factor? Pakistan will strike back since it has the will to win especially to come out of the sticky situation it is in. I’m afraid they will have to create some magic between Afridi and his charges.
Nadya Mistry (Fashion Designer) Besides Pakistan which is your favourite team and why? England. The boys are cute! To you which side is the favourite to win this World Cup? India! How do you think Pakistan will do in the World Cup? An average performance, I suppose. Do you think we are fielding the best team we could have managed in the current situ-
ation? Yes! What will your comment be if Pakistan doesn’t even make it to the semi-finals? We will make it to the semi finals! If we win the Cup, what in your opinion would be biggest factor? The openers giving good starts regularly, Razaq’s bowling his spell and, of course, Afridi standing tall.
Mian Yousaf Sullahudin (Patron of Arts) Besides Pakistan which is your favourite team and why? Sri lanka, because they are like our brothers and we enjoy more friendly relations with them than any other country. Which team, in your opinion, is the favourite in the world, to win this world cup? No team can be declared a favourite to win the WC this time. It’s difficult to predict. How do you think Pakistan will do in the World Cup? If Pakistan can withstand the pressure, they can do very well.
Do you think we are fielding the best team we could have managed in the current situation? Well, we need to improve our fielding; we certainly aren’t the best fielders in the world. What will your comment be if Pakistan doesn’t even make it to the semi-finals? Our team has made it to the quarter-finals as it has won all three matches and we will make it to the semi-finals as well. If we win the Cup, what in your opinion would be biggest factor? Allah.
Khalid Malik (Actor/RJ) Besides Pakistan which is your favourite team and why? Netherlands. Because of their recent performance and hunger for the game. To you which side is the favourite to win this World Cup? Sri Lanka. How do you think Pakistan will do in the World Cup? They will probably get through to the semifinals. Though I’m secretly hoping that they will win the World Cup. Do you think we are fielding the best team
we could have managed in the current situation? Our fielding has improved immensely. And I think Umar Akmal is our best fielder. What will your comment be if Pakistan doesn’t even make it to the semi-finals? As long as they played to the best of their ability and really put up a fight, the outcome doesn’t matter. If we win the Cup, what in your opinion would be biggest factor? The camaraderie, that seems to be showing on the field. March 13 - 19, 2011 I 41
A grand show after ages!
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By Injila Baqir on the ramps hopelessly. It does surprise me Zeeshan to say that I am glad I managed to attend
f it were not for Qasim and Shahzad especially asking me to attend the show, I would never have bothered. I have had just about enough of seeing unkempt, frowning fashion models, with no manicures or pedicures, in shoes that don’t fit, wobbling
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Ittehad’s Premium Lawn’s Launch, ‘Ittehad 7’ held at Royal Palm last week. Ittehad Textiles electrified Lahore by capturing the audience’s hearts through roping in seven design geniuses from the industry for designing their lawn suits used in the show. But I strongly believe that the backbone of this mega success is Ather Shahzad’s creative direction. They can solely be tagged for the conceptual planning and presentation and of course Shahzad Raza’s hair, makeup and
accessories did wonders for the show. It was thrilling, to say the least! HSY was a terrific choice for choreography, who perhaps spurred on by the critique he received on Bridal Couture Week for choreographing his own segment in a far superior manner than those of other designers, decided to show us his true potential. There was never a dull moment. QYT the event manager and planner deserves bundles of praise for his meticulously disciplined management where every guest was made to feel welcome, not having to wait long
queues or stand without a seat. The space for dinner was a little tight though, but I doubt if anyone returned home hungry (or without a free Ittehad Lawn three piece suit handed out as a souvenir and the beautifully prepared Ittehad catalogue of 2011!). A fast-paced show left those in attendance, balancing precariously, at the edge of their seats, with one after the other designers bringing forth their magnificent creations out on the ramp using only the best models of the country. The grand finale’s designer was none other than Nilofer Shahid. I find it difficult to attribute apt words to my praise of her talent. Perhaps a song and dance routine would be appropriate! When the models both males and females walked out dressed in clothes designed by Nilofer using Ittehad’ lawn, they exuded an aura which was almost unearthly; divine. The designer is worlds apart from everyone else. Be it soft pastels or sea greens mixed with earthy tones, her work is vivaciously stunning. Whether strips hung loose from the garments or torn shredded cloth was exhibited by one of the models, it was as if forest nymphs and godly beauties roamed the planet in her creations. Mehdi got for his share the black and white
prints of Ittehad. Remarkable as his design sense is, his models managed to impress the audience in a dramatic way. The outfit worn by Rabia Butt shone as the most stunning one in this collection. Like a breath of fresh spring air, out came the dazzling Nadia Hussain, Sabina Pasha and many more sporting the vibrant floral prints designed by Sara Shahid of Sublime. True to lawn’s spirit of a summer fabric, this collection did real justice to Ittehad’s brilliantly fashioned colourful array of nature-inspired prints. Khadija Shah of Elan designed kaftans from summery prints. Cybil looked trendy-hot in Elan. Ali Xeeshan, staying loyal to his repute of using ideas from local fashion to bedazzle the fashion circles, brought out his models carrying bundles of cloth, balanced delicately on top of their heads, as if carrying their washing off to a nearby water canal, dressed in outfits which looked an amalgamation of modern with the rustic hints of ethnic dessert-dwellers. Akif Mehmood used colourful prints with geometric, floral and tribal influences. Mohsin Ali, perhaps the weakest link of the seven, stressed on a lot of frilly volume for the designs. All in all, one cannot help but comment that it was a very artistically strong show put together intelligently, and served its purpose of launching Ittehad Lawn 2011, very successfully.
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Film
Oscar snub for three master pieces So here I present to you, three little masterpieces, in descending order of recommendation, each marginally better than that Best Picture Oscar winner, that stutter of a film.
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s you film buffs around the world mourn the loss of the truly great English film of the year ‘royally’ ignored by the Academy, I decided to pull you out of this feeling of loss by sharing with you three truly excellent films that were snubbed even worse than our dear Facebook film. These are three fascinatingly unshowy yet brilliant 2010 dramas that haven’t gotten their due from the boxoffice, the Academy or the audience.
By Saim Sadiq
Never Let Me Go
The most gorgeously shot literature adaptation in the longest while; this film about an experiment revolving around human clones is a masterful achievement simply because of how much it says without using words. Mark Romanek takes the premise of the book, which was labelled by the TIME magazine as amongst the 100 Best Fictions ever written, and makes it entirely his own while remaining faithful to the written word. Keira Knightley is in form while Carrey Mulligan is unsurprisingly brilliant. And that boy, Andrew Garfield, is the find of the year for Hollywood; handling a particularly difficult breakdown moment with goosepimply effectiveness. ‘Never Let Me Go’ has a genuinely heartfelt poignancy and it’s impossible to dodge your tears as the penultimate minutes unfold. My personal favourite of the year, this haunting film about life and death is unforgettable!
Blue Valentine You know, there is a point when actors transcend a level of performance and suddenly it seems like they are no longer ‘acting’ in the film, because they are so freakin’ real? If you do, you’ll love Blue Valentine. And if you don’t, then it is an absolute must that you see this Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling starrer about a marriage falling apart. Armed with unarguably the best original screenplay in the longest while, this film is taken to another level by the two performers who seem to be unaware of the fact that there is a camera around. Michelle Williams is stunning as the wife. Her Cindy is a wonderfully written role, one that she was supposed to play opposite her real-life beau and the now unfortunately demised, that fantastic Heath Ledger. However, stepping into his unforgettable shoes is Ryan Gosling who makes it difficult to imagine anyone else in this role, such meticulously brilliant hold he has over his craft. This is a finely nuanced male performance and, arguably, Uncle Oscar’s most painful rebuke. Still you, movie loyalists, should watch this film for Gosling and Williams that culminates in a remarkably well structured climax; wherein the couple’s intimate church wedding is juxtaposed with their realization of falling apart. Heartbreaking stuff!
Another Year
First up, a warning! This is the kind of film most people would turn off after the first half hour because they won’t see the film to be going anywhere thus far. And yet, this is the exact quality which makes ‘Another Year’ a strikingly real portrayal of a family and its linkages. If you dig moving, character-based British dramas then this is a feature film for all seasons. An unpredictable, free flowing narrative guides you into the lives of the characters that inhabit the world of the happy couple. It’s unbelievable how identifiable the creations of Mike Leigh are. And even more surprising is how beautifully the film strays itself away from any manufactured crescendo, leading to a brutally painful realization in that final shot. The whole cast is disarmingly real, lead by an unforgettably good Leslie Manville in a role that has some part of us all concealed underneath it. This is the film I am aiming to gift-wrap and present to my parents on their anniversary. And I suggest you do the same. March 13 - 19, 2011 I 45
Cuisine
Heading to Mini Golf
T
By Seher Imran
he winter season had decided to stay on a bit longer than intended by nature in other years. The rains are also here. The drizzle goes on, day in and day out. Therefore, its time to head back to the good old Mini Golf. Ze Grill situated in the tree house is the perfect spot for an evening out, with friends or family. The restaurant offers a wide variety of delicacies ranging from the desi Malai Boti to the Chinese Manchurian and the American burgers. For a perfect meal out at Ze Grill, one can start off with a range of appetizers. One that caught my fantasy was the Cheese Naan. Freshly baked naan with the softest of doughs filled with mozzarella cheese, a dash of organo, salt and pepper, this starter is truly heavenly. For tea, the Cheese Naan would be enough on it’s own as it is very rich. The menu gives you a wide variety of dishes to choose from for the main course. One of their best dish which is a must try includes the Chicken Chilli Dry. Tender chicken strips and
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capsicum, covered in a perfectly done sauce and served with a generous serving of garlic rice, this is one of the items on their Chinese menu, which should be definitely tried. Other recommended items for the main course are the Chicken Straganoff and the Malai Boti from the continental menu. From among the American menu items, the Stuffed Chicken Cheese Burger is the yummiest of all. It has a thick chicken patty, filled in the centre with melted mozzarella and topped with a Ze Grill special sauce. The Grilled Chicken Burger is also worth a try, if you are a Bar B Q person, but want a Texan touch to it. You can choose your drinks from an array of fresh fruit juices, to Pina Colada or smoothies and shakes. The perfect way to end the meal is with ice-cream. Ze Grill offers Movenpick right on the tree-top. The place also offers Sheesha, available in almost all flavours. The ambiance at Ze Grill during the evenings at this time of the year is perfect. Surrounded by a thick canopy of greenery on all sides, while the rain drizzles down, Lounge recommends you head straight to Mini Golf for a beautiful evening out, with delicious food.
The ambiance at Ze Grill during the evenings at this time of the year is perfect. Surrounded by a thick canopy of greenery on all sides, while the rain drizzles down, Lounge recommends you head straight to Mini Golf for a beautiful evening out, with delicious food
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50 I march 13 - 19, 2011