Category Archives: Life & Style

Get The Look: Less is more!

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Less is more!

Model Sana Ansari arrived at the red carpet for Pantene Bridal Couture Week looking ethereal. The simplicity of her ensemble and her beautiful smile were her best accessories. Here is how you can get a similar look:

Hair

Corresponding with SS13 trend charts, her braided updo is a win! There are many tutorials online which can help you achieve this updo, which is actually very simple, but looks glamourous. After a shower, rub some untangling serum in your hair to help control the frizz when you’re making this hairdo.

Make-up

Her make-up is chic, summery and oh-so-classy. Smudge in shades of grey, black and silver from Rimmel’s Glam Eyes quad eye shadow no. 02 palette (Rs950) to get smokey eyes like hers, and then line your eyes generously with Maybelline’s The Colossal Kajal pencil (Rs350) to get similar kohl-rimmed eyes. Top it off with Maybelline’s The Colossal Volum’ mascara.

For that pastel pink pout, go for Mac’s Honeylove (Rs1,700) and rouge your cheeks with The Body Shop’s All-in-one ginger blusher (Rs1,800) for that emphasised cheekbone.

Her hair and make-up for the evening was done by Laiqa Hasan and her team.

Outfit

Sana wore an outfit made exclusively for her by designer Feeha Jamshed. However, you can go through her collection which is reasonably priced and you will be able to find a funky floor-length dress or a jumpsuit under Rs9,000. For alternatives, visit stores like Monsoon (Rs6,000) or Mantra (Rs5,000 and above).

Accessories & shoes

The model is not sporting any accessory except for that statement neck piece from Forever 21. To get a similar necklace, hit local stores like Sentiments (under Rs1,500) or retail stores like Accessorize (Rs2,000 and above).

Sana wore nude Aldo peep toes to complement her outfit. You can buy similar shoes from Charles & Keith (Rs5,000) or WalkEaze (Rs2,500 and above).

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23rd, 2013.

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Sara Khan wants to play serious roles

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MUMBAI: 

Shifting from the small screen to the big screen is now a norm. TV actor Sara Khan is simply confirming as she will soon be seen in comedy films, Aman Ki Asha and Maaya, Vanilla and Strawberries. Although she enjoys humour, she would also like to play a more serious role.

“Comedy is an interesting genre. I have finished [shooting] two comedy films so far. I enjoyed it. But I want to take up something more challenging and play a very serious character,” she told IANS.

Aman Ki Asha has been directed by Neeraj Pandey and also stars Ali Zafar and Yami Gautam. Sara plays Yami’s sister in the film.

“I was in Singapore and someone called me saying that I am apt for playing Yami’s sister. I told them that I don’t play character artists. But they said I could call it a parallel lead. I found the character very interesting. It is a Neeraj Pandey story and I told them that I would try it,” she said.

The film has been shot in London, which is the actor’s hometown; this made the experience more enjoyable for her.

“I was brought up in London and the entire shoot took place there. We were there for a month. I loved the experience. We finished our schedule in 22 days. We faced a lot of challenges. But it was a very good experience,” she said.

She will also be seen in Maaya, Vanilla and Strawberries, which stars Fukrey actor Ali Fazal and has been directed by Ravi Rai.

Talking about the kind of roles she would want to play in her future films, Sara said she is looking for performance-oriented characters.

“In movies, I would like to go for something like Devdas or Dor. That is something challenging. Everyone does glamorous roles. It is tough to get something which is completely acting-oriented,” she said. “Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit and Shabana Azmi used to play these roles so beautifully.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23rd, 2013.

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Recipe for success: Talent or technicality?

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KARACHI: 

Despite having a booming fashion industry and a rapidly growing number of designers, Pakistan has only a handful of fashion schools to hone the raw talent of aspiring designers.

There are only four major art schools in the country, out of which two focus mainly on fashion design; the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design in Lahore and Asian Institute of Fashion Design in Karachi.

Many may argue that anybody who has the talent and eye for fashion can make a mark in this field. They might even criticise the concepts and collections of fashion grads for being “eccentric” and inappropriate for daily wear. But talk to people in the field and they’ll tell you what’s more important between training and sensibility. The Express Tribune talks to the big names in fashion about candidates that are part of a winning team.

Fashion grads are a must!

While the industry comprises a number of designers who do not have a design background, many feel that the importance of academic and professional training is undeniable. Popular Lahore-based designer Kamiar Rokni believes that one can’t “be in the fashion business without a sense of aesthetics”. He feels that it’s sensibility alone is not sufficient, and that academic knowledge is also required. “You need to have an eye and that eye needs to be developed further by training. Trained designers, who have changed the fashion scene in Pakistan ever since the millennium, are proof,” he said.

Talented Nida Azwer who has risen to fame quite quickly, stresses that a combination of both style and training is needed to succeed. “It’s a combination of both. You need to have good aesthetics but at the same time you also require professional training,” she said. “It always gives you an upper hand if you have professional training in fashion/textile when entering the fashion industry.” Rabia Wahab, the woman behind Fiction Concepts and a textile major from Indus Valley School of Arts and Architecture firmly believes that fashion graduates definitely have an edge over others because they are constantly developing, since they receive criticism from teachers and end up becoming confident.

And the best school is…

It is evident that designers from Lahore have a soft corner for PIFD grads whereas those belonging to Karachi prefer AIFD students. Regardless of the dearth of fashion schools in Pakistan, the competition is intense and with senior designers having their own special preferences, it gets all the more formidable. Rokni’s slight tilt towards PIFD is based on technical expertise. “Different people have different strengths but graduates from PIFD tend to be technically astute and that is something that we look for.” Rabia, on the other hand, believes that AIFD students have the ability to stand out, even though she studied from IVS. “Graduates from IVS are basically graduates in textile design. Graduates from AIFD are graduates in both textile and fashion, which gives you the advantage of knowing pattern design and stitching that pure textile designers lack,” she says.

Any hope for the untrained?

Considering what has been discussed, it may seem that all hope is lost for those who did not opt for a degree or a course in fashion. Of course, trained designers are better equipped and more aware about techniques involved in design. But does that mean designers who do not have an academic background in fashion cannot be equally successful?  Safinaz Muneer of the fabulous SanaSafinaz label only attended the National College of Arts for a year, and says technical expertise is “not necessary”. “Creativity is in born – talent matters,” she says. Coming from one of the biggest names in fashion in the country, we’ll say that’s authority enough. Every bride’s dream wedding dress designer Bunto Kazmi has no fashion degree but thousands of clients and years of experience.

With so many talented young people stepping into the fashion industry having just sheer passion and not the relevant training, one can surely not suggest that skills are the main criteria. Feeha, too, agrees by saying, “It is very important to know aesthetics but it is even more important to have individual style or you will get lost in the common sea of being technically and skillfully right and will therefore be following trends instead of creating trends.” She added, “It is imperative to have the skill but what is more important is to challenge that skill. An eye for fashion is way more important than the skill itself.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23rd, 2013.

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Summer travelling 101

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Once you’ve planned your summer trip, it’s easy to just forget about packing until the night before. This mistake always leads to over-packing and physical exertion. 

While it’s extremely necessary to pack the season’s must-haves, it’s also important to do your homework and research for what is required at your destination hot spot.

Hotels.com, the global hotel bookings expert, shares a few travel tips that will help plan your holidays better.

Tips for travelling

Pack light

Carry stuff that you actually need. Don’t overload your bag with unnecessary items.  Take your time to pack, if necessary talk to a stylist at a fashion store to help you plan your wardrobe. Make sure to check the weather forecast and pack accordingly. Remember smart packing is always the key to travelling light.

“If my destination is a resort, apart from swimwear, I throw in printed kaftans that can be carried from day to night, several pairs of flip flops and Moroccan oil for frizzy hair days. I almost always carry my vintage kimono on all my trips dressed with flip flops for the day and wedges for night outs,” says Shehla Chatoor, fashion designer.

Summer essentials

Don’t forget to carry stylish caps and hats to keep your head cool in the sun. Sunscreen lotion with a high SPF is a must – it protects your skin from sunburn. Use facial tissues to avoid stickiness on your face and hands while travelling. You can also carry hand fans especially on a hot day at the beach. Don’t take products that will just take up space.

“I always carry my shampoo and conditioner with me. I have to have Pantene no residue. I also need my sun block.” (Zhalay Sarhadi, actor)

Healthy diet

It is crucial to take fluids, mineral water, coconut water, orange juice and squashes wherever you go. Even on the plane, make sure to drink lots of water, this will help prevent jet lag and general fatigue. You can avoid dehydration and sunstrokes by eating and drinking well. Cucumbers, watermelons and oranges are great to include in your diet.

“During long flights I usually carry a great moisturiser and lip balm, lots of water and Evian spray to keep my skin hydrated and smooth.”
(Shehla Chatoor, fashion designer)

Arrive early

Summer is a busy season for airports. You are bound to face long queues, delays in parking and lengthy security searches. Hence, it is always safer to arrive a bit early and give yourself enough time to complete the formalities. Online check-ins are also recommended, and if you have any questions about the flight, the airline agents are there to help you.

Relax

The sun tends to make you feel weary and drained out. To avoid this lethargic feeling, try to take as much rest as you can, the night before leaving for the trip, so that you make the most of your holiday. Once at your destination, relieve your body and mind of useless worries and work; this means tune into your vacation and enjoy.

“I don’t check my emails and I don’t put my phone on roaming. When I go abroad, I get a sim and give that number only to my family. If it’s a leisure trip, I don’t do anything work-related.” (Zhalay Sarhadi, actor)

Fully indulge

Early morning or evening is the best time to indulge in outdoor activities and expeditions as opposed to afternoons. If you’re not into sight-seeing and want to stay inside, opt for a hotel that offers a host of indoor activities to keep you occupied. Try to avoid going out during afternoons.

Last minute deals

If you have planned your trip in a hurry, worry not! Last minute deals offered by hotels can benefit you. There are numerous applications on smartphones and tablets that can help you check out over 20,000 last-minute deals by popular hotels worldwide.  Remember, it’s never too late to book your holiday.

“Pack a lot of basic stuff, so that you can mix and match your clothes. Also, if you’re in a hurry, remember to double check that you have your documents, passports, keys and tickets,” says Omar. 

“If it’s not a resort, and you’re around malls, you’re probably going to shop a lot. I advise that you pack very light so that you have enough space in your bags”

(Ayesha Omar, actor-singer)

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23rd, 2013.

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MJ’s estate mints $600 million since his death

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LOS ANGELES: 

Late King of Pop Michael Jackson’s estate has made $ 600 million since his death in 2009. It is more money than the Thriller star ever minted while he was alive.

The money primarily came from ticket sales such as Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson’s One and profits made from the film of Jackson’s concert performances, This Is It, according to US documentary Michael Jackson 60 Minutes.

“Worldwide box office now is over $ 300 million. And Michael has almost 60 million Facebook friends. He’s the biggest selling artist on iTunes and has sold approximately 50 million albums since he passed away,” John Branca, a co-executor on Jackson’s will, told US TV channel CBS.

Jackson had debts of approximately $ 500 million before he died in June 2009 after an overdose of prescription drugs, termed as acute propofol intoxication.

A Forbes reporter, who has covered Jackson’s estate in depth, said: “He never stopped spending like it was the 1980s… he was making 50, 60, 80, over 100 million dollars into the 1990s.”

After the first charge of assault in 1993, he became radioactive. He didn’t tour again in the US, brands dropped him from their commercials and the upkeep of Neverland really added up. Since Michael Jackson died the estate has taken over $ 600 million in four years, and that’s more than any single living artist made over that period of time.

As stated in Jackson’s will, he intended 20 percent of his estate to go to charity, 40 percent to his children and 40 percent to go to his mother as long as she was alive.

The possessions include Jackson’s 30-year car collection, antiques and videogames from the Neverland Ranch and the black sequined jacket he wore in the video for Billie Jean. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23rd, 2013.

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Rare Harry Potter first edition casts spell at auction

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LONDON: 

Ever wondered what went through author JK Rowling’s mind when she wrote the first Harry Potter novel?

Fans of books about the boy wizard had a chance to bid on a unique first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone annotated by Rowling, which sold for a record £150,000 at a London charity auction, auction house Sotheby’s said on Tuesday. The 1997 book contains 43 pages of handwritten thoughts, Rowling’s commentary of the book and the film adaptation, as well as 22 hand-drawn illustrations including one of a sleeping baby Harry and another of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

The auction house said the sale room fell silent on Tuesday as buyers engaged in a bidding war for the coveted book, which eventually went to an unidentified buyer bidding over the telephone. The full sale featured 51 first editions, all unique one-offs featuring annotations and commentary from authors, as part of the “First Editions, Second Thoughts” sale to benefit charity organisation English PEN, which promotes freedom of expression.

Other top sellers included Roald Dahl’s Matilda with new illustrations by Quentin Blake for £30,000, Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day for £18,000 and Julian Barnes’ Metroland for £14,000. The total sale fetched £439,000.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was the first in a series of seven novels by Rowling, about the adventures of a boy wizard living in a world of ‘muggles’ and magic.

Only 500 first editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone exist, making them the rarest of the series, which has become the best-selling book series ever and was adapted into a multibillion-dollar film franchise.

It includes a 43-page “second thoughts” segment from the author, with phrases such as, “I wrote the book … in snatched hours, in clattering cafés or in the dead of night. For me, the story of how I wrote Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is written invisibly on every page, legible only to me …”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23rd, 2013.

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The Reluctant Fundamentalist premiere in Pakistan today!

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The Reluctant Fundamentalist (TRF) is all set for its red carpet premiere on May 23 at Cinestar in Lahore, where socialites and celebs are expected to attend. The drama-packed film by Mira Nair, an adaptation of Mohsin Hamid’s acclaimed book of the same name, has many at home and abroad excited about its release.

TRF is about a Pakistani man Changez (Riz Ahmed) who meets an American journalist Bobby (Liev Schreiber) in a café in Lahore. Changez talks about his experiences in the US after 9/11 which affect his relationship with Erica (Kate Hudson), work and the American dream he had been pursuing.  Meesha Shafi plays Changez’s sister in the film, and has also contributed to the soundtrack.

British-Pakistani actor and rapper Riz feels he is very different from the character he played. “I am very much a Londoner — born and raised — while this character is from Lahore. I have never even been to Lahore! So I had a lot of homework to do,” Riz told examiner.com earlier this year.

The film will be officially released throughout Pakistan on May 24, along with The Great Gatsby and Iron Man 3. While the Indian film-maker is making headlines around the world already, we are proud of our Pakistani author and cast — three cheers for Mohsin Hamid and Meesha Shafi!

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23rd, 2013.

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7 Bridal oddities you are sure to meet in Pakistan!

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The typical Pakistani shaadi is no longer an intimate affair between two people about to embark on the journey of a lifetime. In fact, it has all the elements of a roaring circus! In the midst of it is the beautiful bride, a.k.a the ringmaster, simultaneously juggling tight budgets, short deadlines, entertaining wedding guests and the roaring lions, i.e. the interfering in-laws. By the time the actual wedding day arrives, the stress and anxiety have turned the bride into an oddity, more ballistic than blooming. Come experience these different types of bridal oddities and pray you don’t become one of them on your own big day!

Oddity 1:

James Bond Bride

This secret-agent bride has an uncanny ability to conceal all information about her wedding and dodge all inquiries. Torture her if you must but she will not fess up. Confront her during her nikah signing or barge into her room on her wedding night and she will STILL deny it!

Reasons: The bride doesn’t want too many people invited to her functions. Or she was engaged before and it didn’t work out so she doesn’t want to jinx it this time around. Or maybe, she is just an introvert trying to avoid the extra attention… We can never be too sure. And of course, Miss James Bond won’t tell us herself either!

Oddity 2:

Besharam Bride

While other brides will look down modestly and steal shy glances at their men, this one will be grabbing her groom (read fiancé — the nikah has probably not happened yet!) and suggesting they celebrate their wedding night before all the hullabaloo of the dholkis and dinners starts!

Reasons: She has waited too long for the man of her dreams.

Oddity 3:

Sharmeeli Bride

This poor bride appears to be stuck in the 1920s. Once the date for her wedding is finalised, she is blushing perpetually! Ask her the name of her groom and she will place a finger on her cheek or bite her lip. That is, if she does not run away to her room first!

Reasons: Either her mother told her this is how all brides should behave. Or she watched way too many Shabnum films growing up. Let’s just hope she gives up the act once the wedding is over.

Oddity 4:

Nothing-will-get-me-down Bride

She can smile sweetly at the designer who makes her ‘shaadi ka jora’ a glorified version of Lady Gaga’s meat dress. Nothing can break her, not even her nand’s incessant complaining about the 50-hour long plane journey she had to make, all the way from America.  She is, basically, Super Bride!

Reason: Perhaps she suffered something terrible in her childhood which left her completely numb? Or, a much-more intriguing possibility, she just couldn’t care less about the wedding.

Oddity 5:

Everything-gets-me-down Bride

Granted that tears are inevitable in every ‘shaadi ka ghar,’ this bride takes it to a whole new level! She cries, whines and screams before, during and after the wedding. She will throw a fit if you forget to RSVP, thrash the groom if he arrives a minute after ‘9pm sharp’ and contemplate suicide if the flowers are not the right shade of purple.

Reasons: This melodrama can only be explained by an obsessive need for perfection and focusing all her frustrations on the decor to temporarily forget about what is to come after the wedding.

Oddity 6:

No-cost-spared Bride

She has a talent for emptying peoples’ pockets. She will make ridiculous requests that nobody can, or will want to, entertain, such as arriving at the venue on a unicorn, asking her in-laws to bring in a gold-spun dress from Paris and requesting her buddies to colour-coordinate their outfits, etc.

Reasons: YOMO! You Only Marry Once and might as well milk the cow. Not to mention, this is the only way of getting even for all the spending she had to do on others’ weddings.

Oddity 7:

The religious fanatic bride

No one is allowed to smile at this event — unless it is done without your teeth showing and eyes sparkling. Music is out of the question, unless the bride is in party mode and you can only play the duff very ligtly. The nikah is being held at a masjid! Also, there is no qorma or gajjar ka halwa in the saada menu.

Reasons: Bride ko nazar lag jaaye gi and of course, we wouldn’t want that! Also, it is not her fault all the good stuff in life is haraam.

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, May 19th, 2013.

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Spears under fire for giving son a toy gun

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Singer Britney Spears is facing serious criticism after allowing her son Jayden to play with a large toy gun. The six-year-old was photographed pointing the toy gun at other people during their family vacation in California, reported contactmusic.com.

While Spears has been judged before for her parenting skills, a non-profit gun-control group is outraged by her action this time.

“As parents, it is our responsibility to set a good example for our children and as a celebrity parent, it is especially important,” declared Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

“Jayden was photographed not just playing with any toy gun — it looks like an assault weapon. It is disappointing to see Britney allowing her son to play with such a violent toy,” added Watts.

However, a source close to Spears spoke out to defend the star. “Britney has been justly criticised for some lapses in judgment as a mother, like driving around without securing her kid in a car seat. But if letting a boy play with a toy gun is bad mothering, then there must be millions of bad mothers in America,” said a source.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2013.

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Ranbir has taken a road less travelled: Rishi Kapoor

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MUMBAI: 

Ranbir Kapoor, the heartthrob of many girls, is all set to star in this summer’s most anticipated blockbuster, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, with the hot and charming Deepika Padukone who also happens to be Ranbir’s ex. Rishi Kapoor, Ranbir’s father says that he is very proud of his son and is happy about the fact that his son, like him, has risen to stardom.

Rishi told IANS: “I am very proud that my son is trying to keep the Kapoor flag flying. I always encourage him and want him to do better work. Films are not a joke, it’s our family business and I am happy that he is serious about his career and his work.”

Although Ranbir, 30, had a dull start with Saawariya, but thanks to his choice of roles in Wake Up Sid, Raajneeti, Rockstar and Barfi, the youngster has carved a niche for himself in just six years.

Praising Ranbir’s work, Kapoor said, “He is an actor who has taken a less travelled route. He is choosing different films and doing films that are not the staple diet of film heroes. For that I give him credit.”

He added that Ranbir’s choice in films is his own and that he also takes creative decisions himself. “I have no contribution to that [Ranbir’s decisions] at all. People feel I choose his films, but it’s not so. I am just his father, not his manager,” he said.

Was Ranbir sure about becoming an actor? “He knew his family business is such, so you are inclined to get into it, which is very natural. That must have influenced him. He wanted to go to a film school, so he went there and got trained as an actor. And God has been kind, he has given him some kind of strength to maintain his name,” said Rishi.

Though from the beginning, Ranbir has experimented with various roles, Rishi did not get the same chance.

He didn’t get to experiment much during that time, but recent films like Agneepath have given him a chance to make up for the lost opportunities.

“I have never got to play these kinds of roles when I was younger. When you are young, you want to do romantic roles. Now I am playing all kinds of roles, which are very prominent to the subject and I am happy that they came my way. I love to experiment with different roles,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2013.

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