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PFDC L’ O`real Paris Bridal Week
There’s more to Pakistan than the burqa By Rubia Moghees
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eing fully clothed and still managing to look great is what Pakistan’s fashion is all about. My two visits to Pakistan have made me more conscious of my dress sense and I believe that when it comes to fashion Pakistan is culturally richer in comparison to India,’ says Shilpa Raina of (IANS) Indo-Asian News Service who is attending the on-going PFDC Bridal Couture Week at Royal Palm. PFDC has once again delivered by keeping their promise of holding their first ever Bridal Fashion Week in collaboration with L’ O`real Paris. The platform is solely meant to define the current trends in fashion, jewellery and makeup while setting the look for the on-going wedding season.
Day 1 Day 1 started off quite late but the fast pace of the show nevertheless managed to build the tempo that was needed to put everyone in their upbeat mood. For each day various stylist teams were inducted to give a fresh perspective to the show. The first act showed the prowess of Nabila who is making a debut in bridal styling and make-up while managing to present her vision rather significantly for ‘the contemporary bride.’ By using L’O`real products she was able to inspire, using modern styling techniques; at the same time unveiling the aesthetics of tradition. She also participated in a short act in which the models donned Zaheer Abbas. The ‘Gold to bold’ theme started off with the models sashaying down on the ramp in shades of
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purples which seems to have become the favourite colour of the season. Zaheer has re-introduced cigarette pants coupled with short tops in the showing; the backdrop music provided by Emu was a catchy remix which was foot-tapping and provoked an instant response from the audience. The widely applauded second act was the most anticipated segment featuring HSY’s much talked about ‘Game of Kings’ based on the sport of Polo. Opened to a rousing reception was the confident stride of Shahmeer Alam in a Polo costume that set the mood of what was to follow. The female models in body-hugging velvet tops teamed with heavily worked-upon skirts sported in long boots and Polo helmets made quite a mark. The ‘mukesh and naqshi’ work on coats and tunics in brocades and organza was the highlight of the display.
However, many in the audience believe that the collection got side-tracked from the bridal theme. Maheen Kardar of Karma termed the collection as dramatic, relevant and sexy. Kiran Fine Jewellery was next in line that had the 22-carat gold pieces vying for the people’s dwindling interest as the gold prices have risen to an all-time high. The show-stopper was the beautiful Naheed Siddiqui as she enthralled the audience on a captivating number of Naheed Akhtar ‘Tarasta Hai Yeh Dil.’ The finale of the evening was Sonia Azhar’s ‘Enlightenment’ where she strived to revive the ancient artwork used in the Victorian and Mughal Eras. The collection comprised of six segments in Opal, Monochrome, Aquamarine, Sunset, Rose Red and Midnight Blue. The use of crystal and diamante embellishments has always been her forte.
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Happiness is not unattainable
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very time I sit on a plane heading back to Lahore from a foreign destination, I can’t help but feel bitter about what I am coming back to. The obvious benefits of friends and family are always there but as time has gone by it has become increasingly difficult to balance that one big plus with all the minuses that are a part of life in Pakistan. The super rich justify their life here by all the extravagant amenities and services they can afford along with the ability to frequently travel to an exotic foreign destination whenever they choose. After almost 10 years of being back, I constantly ask myself the question whether all the material possessions in the world can compensate for waking up in a place and an environment that is constantly falling apart. I had the pleasure of visiting Dubai for the weekend to attend the opening of a new multi-brand boutique that houses some of the coolest independent brand names across the world. The store does not carry any kind of traditional Pakistani or Middle Eastern clothing and focuses primarily on designers who are redefining eclectic ready-to-wear that would be considered avant-garde on the streets of any fashion capital of the world. The fact that Ammar Belal Womenswear is going to be stocked at this kind of boutique, which allows you complete creative freedom, is every designer’s dream scenario.
One of my best friends from childhood has been living and working in Dubai for the past five years and I stayed at his apartment for my three day visit. He is not part of the wealthy elite but represents a core part of any progressive society; the middle class. In Pakistan,
Cities like New York, London and Dubai have their share of sharks which are obsessed with making their millions but the most important thing is that if you choose to settle for a middle class lifestyle in these cities while pursuing something you truly love and are passionate about, the infrastructure provided by the state still ensures a very decent life for you
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the middle class does not have many benefits and the rat race is constantly on to somehow squeeze your way into the upper crust of society. It’s not the ambition that is a problem but the lack of options and the flip side to the scenario of not making it to the upper class. Cities like New York, London and Dubai have their share of sharks which are obsessed with making their millions but the most important thing is that if you choose to settle for a middle class lifestyle
in these cities while pursuing something you truly love and are passionate about, the infrastructure provided by the state still ensures a very decent life for you. As time goes by, I can’t help but reassess the things that I think make for a happy life. To be content with what you have is something most of us palm off as a defeatist attitude but I believe that a job that fulfills your natural abilities in a city that inspires you and a core group of people whom you truly love is all you need for a perfect existence.
Top 5
Ways to kick off the new year with style
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By Amara Javed
he year is finally coming to an end and 2012 brings with it the anticipation of a fresh start. What better way to end this year than with a bang? Celebrate New Year’s Eve by looking your best
1.The Shimmering eyes: eyes always have it. Make sure your peepers reflect the holiday spirit
by adding a bit of shine. A shimmery smoky eye is always a great option; if you’re feeling adventurous add in a bit of glitter. MAC’s glitter pigments are fool-proof, they provide the perfect amount of shine, ensuring you don’t look like a disco ball.
2.Every Fur: woman has a right to feel uber luxurious, doesn’t she? Incorporate some fur into your holiday ensemble in the form of a stroll, shawl, coat or collar. Even the smallest amount of fur amps of the glam quotient.
3.TryPurple Lips: something new and add a shade of purple into your makeup palette. The many shades of purple, from violet to lilac, are extremely flattering. Venturing away from the ubiquitous red lip will be a welcome change. If you’re going for a sexy, vampy look opt for a deep violet; if you are a less adventurous type go for the light glossy mauve.
4.Graphic Black, white, red: prints in black and white were all the rage at recent fashion weeks across the globe. It is undoubtedly the biggest trend for 2012. A winning combination is adding a dash of red a monochromatic outfit to make it even more chic.
5.Make Blingy high heels: a statement with your first step into any party. Embellished, crystal adorned heels made a big comeback in 2011 and I cannot express enough love for them. Even the simplest outfit can be taken to the next level with some blinged out stilettos
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Profile
Teena by Hina Butt
Who’s the brightest of them all? By Ayesha Nasir
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eena by Hina Butt is one woman’s challenge to the world of fashion, and to herself. And judging by how far she has come in the last year alone, this is one challenge she is winning hands down. Hina Butt is no stranger to the world of fashion because before she launched her own line, she was the one Lahori woman every designer wanted to dress up. Ever since she was a student studying at the Convent of Jesus and Mary, her friends knew she was starmaterial. ‘It was the way Hina would always accessorize the clothes she was wearing or the twist she would add to our rather drab uniform which would always make her stand out,’ said Hina Butt’s childhood friend Masuma Zeeshan. Hina Butt and her two sisters, Sana and Amina, have been fashionistas since the day they grew up. Their Birkin bags, LV scarves and six inche heels have been the envy of women from the very beginning. ‘I grew up in a house filled withSikander girls, women, and womanly By Ahmad Khan fashions,’ said Hina Butt, the young and beautiful CEO of her fashion brand Teena. ‘Our favourite past-time was always putting outfits together, trying out different shades of lipsticks and dressing up for events. I think I fell in love with clothes when I was a little girl.’ The little girl grew up to go to LUMS and complete her Masters in Business Administration. She was still a university student when she was inspired to launch her fashion label Teena. ‘My father is a businessman and I have always seen him juggling excel sheets, working on marketing plans and developing strategies. I was very tempted to become a businesswoman myself,’ said the young designer, who has
Inter-
come further in the last 12 months than any other designer in recent history. Hina Butt initially began the label Flamingo with one of her closest friends Sehyr Anis, and launched at the World Fashion Café. The first exhibition was a huge
The label Teena emerged out of a dire need Hina Butt felt existed in the market. ‘I have always enjoyed dressing up and I feel fashion should be fun and feisty. This is why when I developed a line for Teena by Hina Butt, I kept the emphasis on fun
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success and soon Hina Butt felt that she had found her niche. She enjoyed designing and her clothes were an immediate hit with clients, who couldn’t get enough of her funky cuts, vibrant colours and reasonable prices. ‘When we held the first launch at the World Fashion Café, it was more of a fun thing to do,’ said Hina Butt, dressed perfectly as always in a red silk kurta with an elephant embellishment from her own line Teena. ‘We weren’t really sure if we were going to go forth with it in a big way. It was just the start.’ Zoona Saeed, another close friend of hers, says Hina was always antsy and eager to do something. ‘It’s inborn in her,’ says Saeed. ‘She was always ambitious and business savvy and I think she would have sooner or later set up her own business. Fashion comes naturally to her so I am not surprised that she chose to launch her own label.’ The label Teena emerged out of a dire need Hina Butt felt existed in the market. ‘I have always enjoyed dressing up and I feel fashion should be fun and feisty. This is why when I developed a line for Teena by Hina Butt, I kept the emphasis on fun,’ she said. The Teena label is available at multiple outlets in Pakistan such as Fashion Pakistan Lounge, Fashion District
Lahore, Labels, Lahore and Ellemint Pret in Karachi. Her recent collection of silk kurtas in vibrant colours such as red, orange, yellow and royal blue are all the rage in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad and are selling like hot cakes in these cities. ‘We designed a range of ball gowns and formal clothes for our winter formal collection and this collection is also doing well,’ said Hina Butt, referring to her new winter collection. ‘These gowns and dresses are asymmetric and really trendy and are perfect for winter parties.’ Hina Butt has ambitious plans for her label. She wants to take it international, possibly open up her own stores all over Pakistan and abroad and launch her brand first regionally and then abroad. ‘The horizon is wide and expansive for Pakistan fashion,’ says the young entrepreneur who is thinking of heading to London to pursue a degree in fashion marketing. ‘Fashion is the hottest product Pakistan has to export right now so for any businesswoman, fashion is a field where the future is vast and extremely promising.’
What’s in Hina’s closet? Favourite formal clutch: A Krizmah clutch.
Favourite shoes to wear to a dinner: Black strapless Manolo Blahniks.
Your worst buy in recent times:
A Burberry coat which looks too big on me.
father?
Your best buy last month:
Both. My mother is my best friend and my father is my best critic and my business advisor.
The lipstick shade you don’t leave home without:
Tell us about your favourite childhood memory:
A Louis Vuitton bag which is spacious enough to hold all my possessions.
A peachy pink by MAC.
The sari you are waiting for an occasion to wear: A Ritu Kumar embroidered sari.
The wildest item in your closet: A pair of tiger-print of leggings.
Up, close and personal: How many children do you have? One son and he is the joy of my life.
Who are you closer to, your mother or your
Eating mangoes with my family and friends and not worrying about getting my hands dirty.
Who is your inspiration?
My dad.
What do you enjoy doing when you come home from work? Giving my son a big bear hug.
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Cuisine
Kahva Café and Grill: For those who live to eat
By Aboobaker Mohammedi
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he Kahva café and grill is situated a little away from the hustle and bustle of Tariq Road near Sindhi Muslim roundabout. Kahva café and grill which is in its fourth year of business, brings a delightful menu for Karachites. From the time I walked in I was fascinated by the sheer captivating effect it had on me. Dark wooden flooring, simple framed pictures on the walls and leather sofas, all made it a cozy place to relax and have a meal. Kahva café and grill is a two story café, the ground floor is a non-smoking area while the on the mezzanine floor you are allowed to smoke. The management has installed an expensive smoke drainage system on the mezzanine floor so it does not become suffocatng. It has the modern amenity of wireless internet available, which it provides free of cost and is a wi-tribe hot spot. Kahva café and grill has a lot of variety to offer, it takes around ten minutes to browse through the entire menu card. I was served a three course meal, beginning with the starter platter. It comprised of chicken strips (which were tender, all-white, crumbed and deep fried), buffalo chicken wings (which were mildly spiced, deep fried and were served with a cheese dip), stuffed peppers (which were stuffed with chicken and cheddar cheese and served with a honey mustard dip) and potato skins (which were garnished with mozzarella cheese and Tabasco sauce). There will always be soup of the day, many types of salads and other meaty starters like beef tenderloin. The place at lunch time on a weekday is mostly full of youngsters with a couple of corporate lunches going on. Kahva café and grill is a hot hangout for corporate companies for their meetings as it has the projector facility available. It has even started home delivery within a radius of five kilometers from Sindhi Muslim roundabout. Kahva café and grill has its own identity, when it comes to steaks and seafood, which are one of the best in town. In the main course I was served a Fire House Steak which were two decks of prime beef on a bed of mash potatoes with caramelized onions and a mildly spiced shitake mushroom and jalapeño sauce. This is an amazing choice for red meat lovers but for those who prefer seafood, chili red snapper which is grilled fillet of red snapper drowned in a savory, red chili sauce served with crème mushrooms is a must try. To end the meal I was served Chocolate Volcanic Eruption which was a hot chocolate mousse on a biscuit base, served with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream, though it was quite rich and heavy it was absolutely scrumptious. For all those who have a sweet tooth it is the best way to end the meal. My meal was accompanied by lime margarita, though not quite up to the mark but the rest of the meal made up for the inadequacy. I was rather surprised to see that the serving was quite huge at Kahva café and grill, which is not quite common amongst the other cafes in Karachi. The food served there is of a standard quality, with their chef having a 13 year experience under his belt. Though having a three course meal is pricey at the Kahva café and grill but it is absolutely worth it.Kahva café and grill is place which once tried cannot be resisted going the second time. 46 I December 25 - 31, 2011
Film
Ladies vs Ricky Bahl By JK Wali
Rating: ***
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he ‘Band Baaja Baaraat’ team is back; only this time with the added weight of expectation. A typical Yash Raj venture, ‘Ladies vs Ricky Bahl’ is an assortment of inspiration pooling in matter from 2006’s ‘John Tucker Must Die’ 2009’s ‘Spread’ and from a Jeffrey Archer novel titled ‘Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less’. However, despite the shoplifting of ideas and the familiarity of the story line, the film has its fair share of doses of entertainment up its sleeve. Ricky Bahl (Ranveer Singh) is a con, who bamboozles the ladies with his charm and then flees off with their money leaving not even the slightest of traces behind. Three such victimised girls – Dimple Chaddha (Parineeti Chopra), Raina Parulekar (Dipannita Sharma Atwal) and Saira Rashid (Aditi Sharma) – team up for a payback and to recover their money. Cue Ishika Desai (Anushka Sharma) – the con who has the wherewithal to out con Ricky Bahl, and the film begins to take up its final shape. This is when you realise that the storyline is gate-crashing into predictability. For, the tale is as foreseeable as a block of cheese on a frying pan; but then again it has enough to ensnare your taste buds all the same. Like with most Yash Raj pictures nowadays, the focus is basically on entertainment and one has to admit that the film manages to provide that albeit in a slow paced narration. There are quite a few loopholes in the script and the con sequences did not have enough thrills to excite the viewer and it was almost as if the targeted ladies willingly fell for the bait
Ricky Bahl (Ranveer Singh) is a con, who bamboozles the ladies with his charm and then flees off with their money leaving not even the slightest of traces behind. Three such victimised girls – Dimple Chaddha (Parineeti Chopra), Raina Parulekar (Dipannita Sharma Atwal) and Saira Rashid (Aditi Sharma) – team up for a payback
showcasing a combined IQ level of 16 – at best. And hence the audience should find it hard to buy the con drama. However, since the storyline is not the highlight let’s focus on other aspects of the film. The performances, and most notably that of Ranveer Singh, are decent. Ranveer acts ably and plays the role of a conman proficiently and orchestrates most matters in the film. Anushka Sharma rivals Ranveer Singh for on screen authority in the second half; and while she does a decent job in depicting a bubbly, carefree girl with cunningness encased safely in her head, her role and indeed her performance has nothing new to offer. And since comparisons with ‘Band Baaja Baaraat’ are going to be
inevitable, another thing that might let down the fans is the lacks of chemistry that the two in the lead fail to bring up.
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Weekly International Trend guide, Autumn / Winters 2011
Fashionista Fatima From the catwalks of Paris to the Fashion Houses of Milan, walking the streets of New York to the boutique lanes of London, Fatima Khan, fashion stylist, designer, graduate of NCA and The London School of Fashion is a self proclaimed Fashionista. Her unique esthetic sense coupled with her experience as a fashion buyer/merchandiser for various Fashion Houses in London has helped to launch herself as a fashion connoisseur par excellence. Meet her every Sunday and learn what’s hot on the high streets in the global fashion village as well as the season’s must-haves and how to wear them. “My aim is to give my Pakistani readers heads up by providing them with key forecast for the up coming season so they can welcome the season with a perfect wardrobe without paying designer prices”
Ombre Prints
Make a statement with tonal prints this season. Whether it’s bright, neon, dark, pale or printed, it has to be printed and tonal. Zesty combinations of pink and orange, black and white, magenta and red give even the most ladylike looks a vibrant youthful flair. Tonal shades of brown in leather or blues for jeans can also be followed for more basic looks. Concentrate on the colour and print rather than on the cut. Graduated hues look awesome in prints. I just love the way colours vanish into each other underneath prints! It’s simple and very sexy. It is one of the most chic of looks and never fails to gain attention when done well. Pairing 2 colours together with print might sound basic, but it is actually tricky. It is the perfect transitional trend.
Runway news
Designers played with tonal prints trend along with texture (leather piping, mesh insets, massive mohair fringe) and tweaked silhouette. This season tonal prints trend was given a sixties spin on the catwalk with Peter Pan collars and A-line tunics. Burberry, DKNY and Jil Sander kept it simple, while Oscar de la Renta made it cheerful. Texture and Print in Graduated hues is a big trend so mixing different fabrics in these colours will give your ensemble a lift and a modern twist. However, dressing in tonal prints from head-to-two can border on bland when styled incorrectly. To optimize the chic quotient of this trend you need to combine clean prints with warm colours and silhouettes that complement each other for a beautifully blended, cohesive look. The key to this trend is the print that goes with the tonal colours beneath.
A
B
D
E
C
For my Pakistan...
Tonal print is such an easy way to get a really striking look. Try and find printed tonal dresses from the 70s or jackets from the 60s. The cut is not important for this trend but keep it simple yet striking. Pink/orange, black/white or magenta/ red are the most used colours for this trend. For more basic look, try shades of brown in leather or blues for denim. I believe that no girl’s wardrobe is complete without at least one Printed tonal ensemble. It is a bold look that will turn heads if worn properly, so save it for a smart occasion. Tonal prints look good on every woman, no matter what is her hair color or skin. If you’re still afraid of going all gradient, try tonal accessories to start with. You can introduce this trend through tonal printed leather jackets, printed tonal jeans, gradient teesand jumpers or as a lush accent via bags and shoes. It’s also important to select varying tones from the same colour range and to limit the accessories to maybe one or two strong pieces for a clean and classic minimalist look
Key Inspirational Pieces
Here are some key pieces from international market so you can take the inspiration and translate the upcoming trends into your outfit
A. Roberto Cavalli Resort Silk Maxi B. Green Ombre Print Chiffon Dress C. Roberto Cavalli Resort Ombre Print Dress D. Roberto Cavalli Ombre Printed Maxi E. Roberto Cavalli Resort Silk Dress
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fashionistafatimakhan@gmail.com facebook.com/fashionistafatima
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