28 I may 1 - 7, 2011
Moin Akhtar:
Death of a versatile genius By Sumeha Khalid
I
t is always sad to hear of someone’s demise and if that someone is a person known to you the feeling of loss is all the more profound. Like so many who mourn for him, I did not know Moin Akhtar personally. Yet I did know him so very well. Again, like tens of millions in our part of the world, he has been an integral part of my life since childhood days, courtesy his constant presence on television, especially his portrayal of the character Rosie. One could always count on Akhtar to make you laugh even in the worst of times. Akhtar’s passing away last week because of cardiac arrest is a great loss, not only because we have lost a trendsetting actor but also because we have lost a great human being. Following are the excerpts from the reactions of Akhtar’s fellow artistes and showbiz celebrities.
Bushra Ansari, fellow actor All I can say is that we have lost a great friend, a very dynamic colleague, and there is simply no scale with which we can even begin to measure our loss.
Saba Hameed, fellow actor I had known Moin for so many years. He was sweet enough
38 I MAY 1 - 7, 2011
to resist as a human being and whoever met him became his instant fan. He was the greatest actor Pakistan ever had and there could be no two opinions about it. His programme ‘Loose Talk’ would be considered a golden chapter in the history of entertainment
Samina Ahmed, actor/ director Moin was simply brilliant and excelled at his work. We are not going to see more people like him. He was an asset to this country.
Faakhir Mehmood, singer I had the honour of sharing the stage with the big man several times. His wit, humour, professionalism, intelligence, his choice of words, his kindness towards junior artists, his words of wisdom and guidance to the newcomers were a class apart. He had extraordinary energy and passion for his work and that turned him into a complete workaholic. I was always fascinated by his excellent research and observation skills that are so essential for
an actor, standup and mimic artist. We grew up watching him perform comedy, singing, anchoring and conducting shows in his signature classy, humorous style and sometimes he would shift gears to be a complete philosopher, exhibiting unique sobriety as the situation and setting demanded. Never really occurred that one day he’ll be departing, leaving millions of his adoring fans mourning. He’ll be dearly missed.
to earth, a humble genius, he has left such a great void in the television industry that he had dominated for well over three decades. I knew him as an affectionate man who loved his friends and colleagues and was extremely passionate about both work and life. He not only has left an indelible mark on us, the industry and on whosoever ever met him. A man like him lives on as he has spread joy and given his 100 per cent love to all. He will be greatly missed, but will live on in his work and our hearts.
Amir Adnan, designer
Frieha Altaf, CEO Catwalk
He made us smile and forget our worries.
Sultana Siddiqui, CEO, president HUM TV Always found him to be a gem of a person. I liked him as a friend, as a colleague but what touched me the most was the way he used to address me addi (sister) in Sindhi. He used to say he felt I was his sister. We travelled together to five cities of England as part of a troupe for Imran Khan’s first fundraiser for the Shaukat Khanum Hospital and I found him to be a lovely person. When I launched my channel, he was so encouraging. I will always remember his kind words. Moin was a great artist, a professional and a perfectionist through and through. He was an amazing person. And the best part is he was so humane. He used to help his needy fellow artists. His death is a great loss to the nation and to the people around him.
Mehreen Ilahi, actor, filmmaker, fashion and media consultant Moin is a man for all seasons. Without the slightest pretence, down
It was a real pleasure to work with Moin. He was a gentleman and always told me to pursue my acting career as he thought I was good at it. I did Ms Rozy and Studio2 Dhai with him and he did the 2nd Lux Awards also. He also hosted shows and events. He was the only man who had represented Pakistan from Fiji to Norway.
Zahir Rahimtoola, entrepreneur Moin was one of the greatest comedians and a leading actor of our era. Evergreen and humorous, his face became a part of our lives. He was dedicated to his art and brought smiles and laughter to millions of people who otherwise are stressed and depressed. In his passing away we have lost a great human.
Kausar Ahmed, TV host/cooking expert I met him a few times and always admired his humbleness and politeness. We have lost a great legend. I have yet to see someone as versatile as him. He will be deeply missed.
Moin, the man with a thousand faces Moin Akhtar made his debut on television on 6 September 1966, in a variety show aired on PTV to celebrate the first Defense Day of Pakistan. His claim to fame to date remains Rosie, in which he played the role of a female TV artist. Akhter also hosted the game show Kya Aap Banaingay Crorepati? And Studio Dhai. His stage plays like
“Bakra Qiston Pae” and “Buddha Ghar Pae Hae” in which he partnered with Umar Sharif, are still a huge hit. Loose Talk was another show in which he donned the garbs of nearly 400 different characters. Akhtar had also been conferred upon the Sitara-e-Imtiaz and the President’s Pride of Performance
MAY 1 - 7, 2011 I 39
The idea is to put the essential two ingredients together; technical expertise/production capabilities along with an icon with mass pull and brand power
Imitation or originality
O
riginality is the most overrated virtue in the fashion Industry. Like most other creative art forms, fashion has its share of copy cats in the business. These days separating an original idea from a borrowed one is harder than ever. The ‘inspired from’ category has massively blurred the line that separates true creativity from imitation and made the whole idea of replication extremely subjective. In my opinion, art is meant to be very
40 I MAY 01 - 07, 2011
subjective. The beauty of its unique appeal is that it dramatically differs from one individual to the other. For me, stealing an idea and getting inspired by one are two very different things but differentiating the two is a matter only for a discerning eye. It takes one’s knowledge of the history of fashion to understand the gravity of references used and their interpretation in a current presentation. The unique thing about fashion as compared to other arts is that it is mostly revolving instead of evolving.
The work of many great artists has inspired me throughout my career such as Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Ralph Lauren, and Yves Saint Laurent etc. The first rule in my book is to give each icon his/her fair share of credit when deriving any kind of inspiration from them
Every decade brings forth taking a vintage concept and fusing it with a contemporary outlook. The true evolution of fashion is based upon the eclectic mix of references and inspirations to create something new. Generally, a trend skips a decade before it is ready to make a comeback in our wardrobes. The 1980s, for example, have been huge for the past six years while the late 1990s and early 2000s were very reminiscent of the 70s boot cut and flared silhouettes. Recently, we are beginning to finally see some high-waisted fuller leg flares on the womenswear catwalks and women all over the world are breathing a sigh of relief as they wave goodbye to the loathed skinny jeans, which glamorised
anorexia all over the world. From the bulimic supermodel to the suburban housewife, the battle for boot cut revival is gaining momentum. The iconic Ray Ban Wayfarer from Tom Cruise’s Risky Business has been seen on every TV show and socialite for the past few years. Before that it was the aviator, which had become a revived classic during the millennium. Pakistani Fashion has its fair share of replicas floating around the market. Most of the time, the people behind such practices never get caught, as the consumer is completely unaware of the idea being stolen. There is a certain set of journalists who are beginning to do their homework and research before
they decide to comment on a collection. As a designer, the work of many great artists has inspired me throughout my career such as Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Ralph Lauren, and Yves Saint Laurent etc. The first rule in my book is to give each icon his/her fair share of credit when deriving any kind of inspiration from them. Once that is done, I can be judged upon my reinterpretation of their work channeled through a brand new and original concept. At the end of the day, it is only the truth that you can stand by when you present an idea that is actually ready to be scrutinised or appreciated by the people waiting to judge it.
MAY 01 - 07, 2011 I 41
Interview
Shehla:
Crafting timeless pieces of
art
‘Shehla’ is all about style and class products, bridals, trousseau, formal, luxury prêt, western formals, shoes, bags and accessories 42 I may 1 - 7, 2011
Shehla Chatoor By Fatima Zehra Naqvi
K
arachi-based designer Shehla Chatoor launched her namesake brand back in 1995 when fashion was not as overrated commercialised as it is today. As the industry grew and became concentrated, she managed to evade the hype and stay true to her root philosophy of unparalleled style and premium quality. Lounge recently had a tete-a-tete with this amiable yet straightforward and bold entrepreneur.
about style and class products, bridals trousseau, formal, luxury prêt, western formals, shoes, bags and accessories. Q. What is the source of inspiration for your designs? A. Everything around me – nature, birds, different cultures, places I travel to, history.
Q. How long have you been in this profession? A. Fifteen successful years and still going strong.
Q. How would you describe your work ethic? A. I am extremely hard working and focused. I pay great attention to quality and finish. When I make something I put my heart and soul in it. I do not venture into anything new without complete research and dedication. For me fashion is an art.
Q. Tell us about your brand portfolio. A. Select, intricately-designed trousseau, formal and casual wear. We specialize in contemporary bridals to ensure you look your finest. Matching pouches and shoes are custom-designed to complete the look. ‘Shehla’ is all
Q. What sets you apart in this highly concentrated industry? A. Constantly re-inventing and modifying. You must have your own signature style which people can identify you with. Paying attention to detail and quality is one way to achieve customer loyalty. When people buy ‘Shehla’, they
Recently a jury of highly respected fashionistas awarded me the title ‘Best Designer of 2010’ for a local magazine
know they are not just buying an outfit, they are acquiring a piece of art. Q. Your motto for success? A. Believe in yourself to make your clients believe in you; be different, do your own thing; be bold – have the courage of conviction with your philosophy and style of design. Q. What’s your take on fashion weeks? A. I believe the fashion weeks in Pakistan right now are in their infancy. They are a great platform to show designer collections and for media coverage, but it will take time for them to translate into actual business. We need to work harder and together to make this happen for the Pakistani fashion industry. Q. Do you have any plans to jump on the designer-lawn bandwagon? A. For the last two years I have been approached by textile mills to lend my creativity and name to their product, but I have not been able to commit myself because of my busy schedule. Also, I believe that in 2011 too many entered this arena and the market has reached saturation point. But if something exciting and different comes along because of which I can stay true to my design philosophy, I will go for a ride on this bandwagon. Q. Which trends do you predict will rule the fashion scene this year? A. Loads of mixing of prints; from animals and birds to florals. In terms of colours, nudes, beiges and gold will predominate with jewelled accents of rubies, emeralds and sapphires. In terms of silhouette, maxi will be the key element.
May 1 - 7 , 2011 I 43
Q. Who is that one person without whose support you wouldn’t have been where you are today? A. Definitely my husband! Q. What comes to your mind when you hear… Fashion: Is an art Love: Conquers all Family: Is everything Money: Can’t buy happiness Pakistan: Zindabad Q. What are your plans for the future? A. For any brand to be successful there has to be a proper business plan. For ‘Shehla’, the prime focus is to maintain the level of growth and brand awareness without compromising on quality and design ethics and aesthetics. We are working towards taking ‘Shehla’ to more retail outlets in Pakistan and abroad. We have already launched at two stores in Pakistan and one in Houston. This month we will be launching in Mumbai, Delhi and Dubai and soon we will open another multibrand outlet in Dubai. Q. What defines brand ‘Shehla’? A. Classy, feminine, embraced in timeless elegance. Q. Your favourite… Pakistani designer: Umar Sayeed International designer: Don and Dean Canten of D’Squared Food: Organic Vacation spot: Barcelona Quote: “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the streets. Fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening,” by Coco Chanel Celebrity: Kate Moss and Queen Rania Q. What was your biggest professional blunder or faux pas? A. Hate to admit it, but doing fish-tail lehengas! Q. What do you consider your single most important achievement as a designer? A. Mashallah, there have been quite a few. Whenever I see my clients satisfied with their outfits, or when my collection is appreciated by the press, it gives me a great sense of achievement. Recently a jury of highly respected fashionistas awarded me the title ‘Best Designer of 2010’ for a local magazine. But I hope and pray that my greatest achievement is yet to come.
44 I may 1 - 7, 2011
Film
By Saim Sadiq
E
Rating:
Dum Maaro Dum, the song, works fantastically well though. Deepika Padukone elevates the edgy number to make it a highly watchable item song, and looks droolworthy while at it
arlier, he was Amitabh Bachchan’s son. Later, Abhishek went on to do some really great work, mostly with Mani Ratnam in Yuva and Guru. But since his marriage to the woman who is repeatedly and rather annoyingly referred to as the world’s best looking female, Abhishek’s been facing the worst sort of downhill slide. It’s not that he is a bad actor or he is doing the worst of films. It’s just that nobody really cares about him anymore. The disappointing lack of charisma in Abhishek, works against Dum Maaro Dum. Dum Maaro Dum, the song, works fantastically well though. Deepika Padukone elevates the edgy number to make it a highly watchable item song, and looks drool-worthy while at it. Sadly, by the time the item song does arrive, you really don’t care at all about the film and its storyline, even though it had a potentially good one to begin with. The basic premise is not startlingly original but could have made for an entertaining thriller with some genuine attitude. However, the writing is so inconsequential that the twists don’t hit you and the action gets on your nerves. Some of the dialogue is genuinely sharp, but it just doesn’t have enough of a film around it to really sound as good as it could. Rohan Sippy goes for a hy v per-stylized format to tell his story, evident by the fact that most of the film seems to have been formulated on the editing table than during the scripting. Shots pointlessly occur in extreme close-up or extreme slow-motion and no one would have raised an issue if it actually worked to an effect. Dum Maaro Dum is not a stylish film. It just tries very hard to be. Tragic for the team, because av film bereft of any plot can work magic if presented stylishly enough. Hrithik Roshan’s Dhoom 2 being a perfect case in point. In case you forgot, and I am sure you did, Abhishek was also somewhere in that film. However, all is not wrong with this film that deals with drugs and deceit. It does manage to engage the audience in moments that are few and far in between. Also, Bipasha Basu looks great after a long time though Prateik Babbar, a wonderfully unconventional actor, is given the lamest part. Though lame goes much further in this film, sample: towards the climax, in a rather thrilling moment, Abhishek Bachchan is down on his knees in front of the film’s closet villain. He is inevitably smiling and the villain is finding it hard to pull the trigger just yet. It is going cleverly well when suddenly the moment is interrupted by an entry of Abhishek’s dead wife and kid, draped in bright white clothes a la the 70’s Bollywood style. This is the device that Rohan Sippy uses to announce that the hero is hamming himself towards heaven, in a motion picture that pretends to be hip and stylish.
50 I may 1 - 7, 2011
rules to avoid looking • Dress to the occasion If it’s a birthday or a wedding, dress accordingly. Keep the time of the event in mind. For a day or afternoon, dress up in lighter tones and for evening use colours to your advantage.
S
By Nadia Farooq ummer is the time of dressing up, experimenting and enjoying the early summer parties before it gets too hot. It was at one such gathering where I came across ladies who were decked up in the latest fashion trends from head to toe. These ladies all looked great but each of them looked the same. Every summer comes with a variety of new fashion trends for you to pursue; there is nothing wrong in following the latest trends but there is a difference in being classy and looking unnecessarily gaudy. Here are 10 rules of dressing up just right this season.
• Dress according to your body type If you are petite avoid length, if you have an hourglass figure go for something that compliments the curves. Slender body types should try to add some curves and fullness.
• Balance between clothes and accessories The balance should be exact to get the best result. A flashy outfit requires little, or no accessories at all. It’s not necessary to wear earrings, necklaces and bracelets together at all times. As where with a simpler outfit, loud accessories will look fashionable.
Try being clean and natural at all times. However, a little makeup doesn’t hurt anyone but a lot of makeup does. If your face looks like it has been painted, you risk looking overdressed!
If it’s 60 degrees outside avoid wearing dark colours and too much jewellery. If it’s raining, wear fresh colours that will brighten you up.
• Personal style statement Add a personal touch to your dress which reflects your personality. If the fashionable thing doesn’t suit you, don’t wear it!
• One at a time • Hair and shoes A loud hairdo with a loud outfit at a wrong event is the biggest fashion disaster. Shoes should compliment the dress and accessories, colour wise.
• Makeup
• Weather
Focus on one thing at a time. If it’s your eye makeup then leave the lips alone and if its your hairdo then don’t wear a necklace.
• Mirror mirror! Please look at yourself in the mirror one last time after you are done dressing up, check your makeup closely as well.
• The complete picture You should look good in accordance with your attire and not like a mismatch of things just because they are fabulous pieces. May 1 - 7 , 2011 I 51
Skincare
Why should luxury be something only a few can enjoy?
I
Facial massage therapy
t was the weekend so I figured I’d pamper myself a little by completely submitting myself to the mercy of the beauticians. I got all geared up and made my way towards the salon. I opted for a facial massage that would not only rejuvenate my skin but also help me to relieve the stress. ‘Yes ma’am excellent choice, the massage offers complete stress release therapy with a guarantee to make your complexion glow, all at the price of $$$$ only’. Huh what? $$$$? With that, I thanked the beautician for her time and walked out. Why should luxury be something only a few can enjoy? After extensive research, I present to you, a facial massage that can easily be done at home with guaranteed results that will make a big difference in your skin.
52 I may 1 - 7, 2011
1. 2.
By Maheen Hassan
Take a good quality facial oil. Pour it in the palm of your hand and gently apply all over your face, avoiding the eyes. Gently pat the skin around the jaw-line and underneath the chin with the back of your hands to stimulate the skin cells. Apply small circular movements to the chin area, using your thumbs, to tone it as well as eliminate toxins. This will also aid blood circulation thereby ‘waking your skin up’. Next, make an ‘oooh’ shaped mouth and once the sides of your face are stretched, massage both the sides easing out fine lines. Use your fingertips to press along the top of the cheekbones and then massage outward up to the temples. This will once again release toxins and boost the skin cells underneath. Now move towards the nose area and apply pressure to the points above the bridge of the nose and underneath the eyebrows. Repeat for five seconds. Smooth across from the inner to the outer corners of the eyebrows and continue up till the temples. Finally, to relieve tension, apply firm pressure at both sides of the temples and rotate in a backward motion. Do not leave out your forehead, as the most early signs of aging appear on our foreheads. Use your palms to gently stroke the forehead till the hairline, smoothing out fine lines in the process.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Repeat this facial massage every week and within two months you will see a clear difference in your skin condition. Enjoy a clean, fresh and rejuvenated skin!
Style Savvy
Bangled! By ShahBano Khan
The woven leather encrusted bangle, snakeskin bangle and even rhinestone studded bangle works wonders summer is here. Temperatures are high, and the dust of the lawn mania is now settling down. The focus should now be on how to accessorise. Sporting the right accessories not only changes the look of an outfit by giving flavour to it but nails down the theme a wearer is trying to convey with their chosen sense of attire. Bangles are bold yet they exude a subtle feminine beauty and elegance. A classic perspective on bangles might involve the ‘churi ki chankaar’ dipped in romanticism. Though bangles have been popular since the dawn of fashion, designers this summer have put a greater emphasis on bangles of multiple kinds: from thick chunky to metallic, glass and even jute! Somewhere Nancy Cunard, the rebellious Jazz Age heiress famous for wearing armfuls of African bracelets, is gruining. Every woman owns a few bunches of different types of bangles or even bracelets. These days accessorizing is all in the wrist but the correct way of following that is to point out the variations in the design for the season. The number one trend is thick brightly coloured and earth toned stacked bangles. With a printed top an understated earth toned colour would look best and with a summer outfit in one solid colour, bright and even printed bangles would work best. Chunky bangles work with almost any outfit, provided it’s stacked or mixed in an aesthetically correct manner. If you’re wearing a solitary bangle, make sure it contrasts somewhat in colour and texture to the rest of your outfit but if you’re wearing several bangles, make sure they contrast with each other. When it comes to the basic bangle design, one needs to remember a few pointers: Metallic bangles will never go out of fashion, gold or silver, and it’s the safest option when designing the complete outfit. For people who like working with new and ‘alien’ accessories, the woven leather encrusted bangle, snakeskin bangle and even rhinestone studded bangle works wonders and catches everyone’s attention. For the more conventional populace, bright solid bangles can be stacked to add colour without looking too crazy, printed bangles can be worn to look pop or black and white checkered bangles for a black and white retro ensemble. Remember, bangles give you an added identity but with the right mix and match one can give bangles an identity of their own!
The number one trend is thick brightly coloured and earth toned stacked bangles
May 1 - 7 , 2011 I 53
54 I may 1 - 7, 2011
May 1 - 7 , 2011 I 55
Recipes
Strawberry Pavlova
Chef Abdul Manan has worked with Royal Palm, World Fashion Cafe, Hot Wok Cafe in Lahore, Eye Television Network, ALite, Masala, Style360 and APlus, and also runs his own catering business by the name of Urban Gourmets.
Ingredients Egg whites Vinegar Vanilla extracts Corn flour Castor sugar Almonds sliced Whipped cream Strawberries sliced Strawberry syrup
4 2tsp 2tsp 2tsp 200g 25g 500g 500ml 3tbsp
Method Preheat the oven to 140C/gas 1. Line a large baking sheet with non-stick parchment. Blend the vinegar, vanilla and corn flour to a paste. Whisk the egg whites until stiff. Gradually whisk in the sugars, adding a little paste with each addition, until a thick marshmallow like meringue is formed. Spread it out to a 9inch circle on the baking sheet, swirling the knife to make peaks. Scatter over the nuts and bake for 1 hour, then turn off the oven and leave it to cool. Sieve 100g/4oz strawberries into a bowl. Stir in the strawberry syrup. Whip the cream softly. Slice half the strawberries and fold into the cream. Then swirl in 3 tbsp sauce. Put the Pavlova on a flat plate. Spoon in the cream, scatter on the strawberries, drizzle with sauce.
Strawberry Smoothie Ingredients Strawberries ½ cup Banana 1 Milk ½ cup Yogurt ½ cup Sugar 2tbsp Ice cubes 6-8
Method Put all ingredients in a blender and blend well till the fruit disappears and smoothie forms. If you don’t like yogurt replace it with 2 scoops vanilla or strawberry ice cream. Serve chilled. Enjoy! 56 I may 1 - 7, 2011
May 1 - 7 , 2011 I 57
Glamstock
By Sahar Iqbal
58 I may 1 - 7, 2011