In the month of Ramazan, however, musicians use their voices to recite naats and hamds in order to stay relevant. Around four to five religious albums are released each year, along with countless singles. Popular singers of the late 80s, Junaid Jamshed and Ali Haider, who have given up commercial singing on religious grounds, continue to gain fame and fortune through religious music. As well-known music producer Abid Ali puts it, this is a time of “religious entertainment”.

Ali, who recently produced Fariha Pervez’s self-financed single Labboun Pe Jaari Hai Ism-e-Ahmed, says that for most singers, who are doing one-off singles, it’s only an attempt to remain in the limelight even during Ramazan. “Majority of the singers are not really benefitting financially from doing one or two naats. This is simply a way to stay on screen during Ramazan,” he says.

Many commercially successful singers, such as Abrarul Haq and Jawad Ahmed, have ventured into naat khuwani in the past. One of the most popular naats was Ye Mamla Koi Aur Hai by Najam Sheraz, who, too, was a mainstream singer. Taking that into consideration, young artists also try to follow the trend and get noticed for their religious renditions.

“Musicians are on-board with Ramazan. Many of our mainstream musicians turn into religious singers during the holy month and this is not just veterans but also the new boys,” says Danish Khawaja, music executive for ARY Musik. He adds that over the last three years, the frequency of such singles is increasing and that he has received over 20 videos, including those from established names such as Seige, Ali Haider and Fariha Pervez.

Khawaja, too, believes that this is not a commercial venture for major musicians, but a way to maintain an attentive audience during the month of Ramazan. “There is no money in this as such. By releasing a couple of singles, a singer cannot maintain enough audience for a commercial release,” says Khawaja, who estimates that only four to five singers have fared well financially. He explains that the physical release of albums is currently non-existent and consumers generally buy more serious naats that have a solid religious backing.

This doesn’t mean that there are no singers who truly enjoy singing spiritual music. These may also be the ones that benefit the most monetarily.

One singer, who wished to remain anonymous, explains that leading singers who perform at a gathering can make up to Rs4.5 million in one night. There have also been occasions where artists were presented gold bricks. The singer adds that these represent around 20 to 30 percent of all leading artists. “This is, undoubtedly, becoming a heavily commercialised industry. But there is little scope if you are doing it as only a one-off thing. People who are performing regularly have a huge demand,” asserts the singer.

Singer Humera Arshad, who recently released a naat, said that her mother would take her to majlis when she was a child and that she has been recording naats each year since she turned into a professional. She emphasises that the overall decline of the music industry is one of the major reasons why artists are becoming more involved in religious music.

Arshad also points out that she has not released an album for several years and the record companies have shut down so artists are mostly working on their own initiative. Ramazan, however, is the one time there is a need for good voices and hence, artists avail it. “I think it’s fine if people are making money this way. Entertainment isn’t really happening like it once did plus the government is doing little to revive it,” says Arshad.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2013.

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LAHORE: Some say diamonds are a girl’s best friend while others believe that a woman’s true weakness is shoes. Be it high heels, flats or pumps, die-hard shoe buffs will have a varied assortment of all in their closets (and sometimes a closet dedicated just to shoes!). Following the footsteps of international shoe retailers Nine West, Marie Claire and Vincci, Malaysia’s high street shoe store VISS has made its way to the country. Its first outlet was launched on MM Alam Road in Lahore on Tuesday.

One thing that never goes out of style is when affordability meets retail. Pakistani women love to bargain and are always on the lookout for cheaper and more reasonable options. This is where VISS comes in. The shoes on average cost around Rs2,000 which is pretty reasonable, explained Bilal Mukhtar, publicist and event planner.

“It’s an exciting brand for women who are young at heart and want to experiment a little,” said Atif Manzoor, brand consultant at VISS. “The focus of the company is on design, style, quality and comfort.” He added that the company advanced from being a simple footwear manufacturing base into a retailer and now, it is investing its time and money in aggressively spreading its presence across various markets around the globe.

While the shoes and handbags at VISS are affordable, the brand seems to lack style. PHOTO: PUBLICITY`

The shoe market in Pakistan is quite diverse with expensive brands like Nine West, a little less expensive ones like Bata and rather reasonable local brands also such as Stylo. VISS seems to fall in the category of reasonable brands due to its affordable price range and wide collection of shoes (as well as handbags); neon jelly flip flops, ballet flats, mid-sized evening pumps, loafers, etc.

While affordability is a major factor for a lot of customers, style is sometimes equally important and VISS shoes seem to lack that.

As the company doesn’t believe in franchising, it has hired local employees to look after the venture. Architects Inc handled the interior of the outlet, and while the store isn’t fashion savvy, for a high street conglomerate, the overall look fits the part.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 2^nd, 2013.

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LONDON: Barbadian singer Rihanna — known for her singles Don’t Stop the Music, Umbrella and Diamonds — on Wednesday won a legal case against British fashion chain Topshop over the use of her image on a T-shirt it sold without her approval. High Court Judge Birss ruled in Rihanna’s favour following a four-day hearing earlier this month.

In March last year, Topshop, which is owned by billionaire Philip Green’s Arcadia Group, started selling a T-shirt with an image of Rihanna on it. The image was a photograph taken by a freelance photographer in Northern Ireland while Rihanna was filming a music video. Topshop had a license from the photographer but no license from Rihanna.

Rihanna, who has a direct endorsement relationship with fashion chain River Island, took the case against Topshop under her full name of Robyn Rihanna Fenty.

In his judgment, Birss said that “a substantial number” of shoppers were likely to be deceived into buying the T-shirt because of a false belief that it had been authorised by Rihanna.

“I find that Topshop’s sale of this Rihanna T-shirt without her approval was an act of passing off. I find for the claimants,” he said. Damages were not determined.

Topshop said it was “surprised and disappointed” by the judgment and would seek permission to appeal. “We robustly dispute the judge’s conclusion,” it said, adding: “There was no evidence of consumer confusion to support the judge’s conclusion.”

Lawyers said the ruling may have set a significant precedent.

“The judge was at pains to make it clear that not every T-shirt with a famous face on it will fall foul of the law, but when an artist has a lot to lose, they have every incentive to sue,” said Sarah Byrt, intellectual property partner at law firm Mayer Brown.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 2^nd, 2013.

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While our Lollywood artists are invading Bollywood, B-town stars are more interested in crossing over to Hollywood. Following father Anil Kapoor’s steps, who featured in the action television series 24 and also had a role in Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol, Sonam Kapoor is also eagerly trying her luck in Hollywood.

The 24-year-old actor, who finally got her share of success with Ranjhanaa, recently auditioned for a role alongside Hollywood star Johnny Depp in the fifth installment of Pirates of the Caribbean, according to the Times of India.

Apparently, the audition took place through video conferencing, thanks to papa Anil Kapoor’s contacts.

However, Sonam is not the only one to have auditioned for the role. Small-time actor Tara Sharma, who has been seen in films like Page 3 and Khosla ka Ghosla, was also called in for the audition.

While she has chosen to remain tight-lipped about it, casting agents were reportedly very impressed with both the ladies. Let’s wait and watch who will board Depp’s ship!

Published in The Express Tribune, August 2^nd, 2013.

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Accessories designer Mahin Hussain was spotted at the Ensemble Eid Extravaganza in Karachi looking super stylish and chic in this layered outfit. Here is a breakdown of what the fashionista was wearing:

Hair

Mahin opted for smooth, straight hair and side swept bangs.

Although we like the au natural look, an extra bit of effort (like a blow-dry) would have given her hair more volume.

Make-up

Her make-up is light and simple with a pop of colour, in line with summer trends. To achieve this look, use The Body Shop Eye Definer pencil in black along with Mac’s Nylon eye shadow.

Her coral lip shade and uber-trendy nails are a treat for the eye. To get a similar look, try Mac’s Cremesheen lipstick in Coral Bliss shade (Rs1,200) and Colour Studio’s Diva nail colour (Rs450).

Clothes

Mahin has paired different items well together. She wears a white shirt over a navy tank top under a shimmery bolero.

Similar tops can be found at Debenhams (Rs6,000) or Stoneage (Rs4,000).

The bolero is taking her look from day to night and the black skinnies are a wardrobe staple. Get your pair at Levi’s (Rs1,200).

Accessories and shoes

Mahin’s necklace is a statement piece which can be bought from Accessorize (Rs2,000). The black and gold clutch from her own line is no doubt a winning item.

A more affordable version can be bought from Khaadi for around Rs2,500 or one of the antique accessories stalls at The Forum. Complementing her overall look are her black and gold wedges which you can find at Charles And Keith (Rs5,000).

Published in The Express Tribune, August 2^nd, 2013.

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MUMBAI: Eid has always been a witness to big-budgeted movies competing against each other and surprisingly, most of the time, it’s one SRK movie against the other. Keeping in line with what seems to have become more of a tradition now, Bollywood’s two much-awaited movies, Chennai Express and Once Upon A Time in Mumbai Dobaara, are releasing just a week apart from each other around Eid.

While viewers and critics feel that intense competition between the two is likely, actor Imran Khan sees no point in competing. Imran is not worried because he believes that films nowadays receive a major portion of their box office returns within the first weekend of release itself.

“They [Chennai Express team] are releasing [the film] a week apart, so I don’t see any cause for stress. The fact is that nowadays, films do a majority of their business on their first weekend [of release],” said Imran, at the cover launch of the Stardust magazine.

“By the time you reach the second weekend, they are already trailing out, so it’s not even competition. The market has grown, the exhibitors have multiplied ten folds since the past, and there are a huge number of theatres now,” he added.

Meanwhile, with majority of the films doing well at the box office, Imran is not interested in tapping the economics.

“I am not at all bothered (by box office figures) because it ultimately makes a difference to the producers and distributors (of the film),” said Imran, adding that he sticks to what is an “actor’s job”.

“My job is to do my scenes from action to cut. Then I have to turn up to promote my film, but beyond that, it’s not actually in my hands. The director is the one who is making the film and the producer is the one who is marketing it so, these things are their expertise, and I don’t enter into that space,” he asserted.

Directed by Rohit Shetty, Chennai Express is a comedy and features superstar Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, while Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaara is a gangster drama and features Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha in the lead, besides Imran Khan.

Chennai Express will hit the screens on August 9 while Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaara is scheduled to release on August 15.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 2^nd, 2013.

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The story revolves around Fatima (Aaminah Sheikh), a well-to-do teacher in Karachi who lives with her estranged father. Having lost her mother at a young age, Fatima finds a friend in her loving and maternal nanny Nusrat Bi (Nyla Jafri), who has raised her.

One day, Nusrat Bi is found dead in her village Khuda Ki Basti, which is owned by feudal lord Khan (Qaiser Nizamani). Fatima is shattered but suspects foul play, so she decides to investigate the matter.

Here, the film turns into a detective story, with Fatima frequently visiting the village with the ease of a superwoman despite the presence of a dangerous landlord and thugs.

Iram Parveen Bilal is a director of visuals and not actors. PHOTO: PUBLICITY

Stylistically, the film is a treat. Special mention needs to be made of cinematographer Nausheen Dadabhoy for capturing the true soul of rich and poor Karachi instrumentally.

The crispness of the day shots compared to the more half-hearted execution in the night scenes, however, shows where her comfort zone is. Another shout out must be given to art director Mehnaz Diwan, who plays the pivotal role in making us believe in Khuda Ki Basti with her keen attention to detail.

Now here’s the downside; the editing is lazy. The script is so weak that viewers may not recall so much as a single dialogue when they leave the cinema and the story relies too much on clichés — such as a needless romantic twist just before the climax.

The characters at large are hollow, and so much of the control is given to Fatima that it seems that the story could have unfolded without Uzair (Mohib Mirza) and Adil (Khalid Malik).

A fact that stands out throughout the two-hour long film is that Bilal is a director of visuals and not actors. The cut-throat visual treatment with some interesting montages is a treat for the eyes. But the underutilised acting talent leaves you wanting more.

At one point Adil, delivers the line “artists hi is mulk ki ek sachi awaz hain” but makes no impact at all, making the scene look more like a camera rehearsal than the final take. Having said that, for most of the underperformed scenes, a weak script, frail acting direction and off-time editing is to blame more than performers.

In contrast, the scenes in which the feudal lord’s seven-year-old son Shera (Abdullah Khan) walks ahead of his father’s armed goons, his toy gun in tow, are memorable and impactful.

Iram Parveen Bilal is a director of visuals and not actors. PHOTO: PUBLICITY

Aaminah Sheikh has done a commendable job as expected. While she isn’t extraordinary in her role as Fatima, she is miles ahead of new actors when it comes to pulling off such a strong protagonist. Adnan Shah Tipu as Gulsher, however, is the real star of the film.

The Pathan sidekick of the feudal lord Khan, Gulsher’s guilt about the prevalent injustice and internal conflict is communicated beautifully to the audience. A maestro like Jafri reflects her brilliance in the few but phenomenal frames she is in, and her aura is felt even after her character’s death. Ali Rizvi as Ahmed is on top of his game throughout the film and is a great addition to the emerging league of Pakistani actors.

The ‘woman against society’ subject has been done and dusted in Pakistani narratives to a point that it is almost a whole genre. The treatment of the subject may vary from one storyteller to another, but the story is inherently tied together by the cause and effect chain of similar events. As a result, every new story becomes a more glorified version of the older one.

Verdict: 3/5

Despite its orthodoxy and needlessly extended duration, Josh is a win for independent cinema in Pakistan. It succeeds in accomplishing what films like Bol failed to achieve, by focusing on one subject and thoroughly highlighting it with research.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 2^nd, 2013.

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KARACHI: Having launched just last year as a small-time entrepreneurial venture triggered by personal experiences of the owner, Virgin Teez has grown leaps and bounds. While their motto stands at ‘one shirt, one cause’, the label’s major aim is to target the lack of education in our country as well fight against malnutrition of the masses.

Moeez Javed Rizvi, the man behind the ‘selling-for-charity’ clothing line, recently launched his new line of Virgin Teez in line with the purpose of Ramazan. The 24-year-old business owner, along with six team members, is working to help the society from a small office in Liberty area, Lahore. They have managed to grow and partner with many other NGOs.

“Instead of limiting ourselves to a single cause, we are pushing for more. Some people call it ambitious, we call it common sense,” says Rizvi.

“We feel that the best way of giving back to people is investing in them fully — which means that we are not just sending children to school but also providing their parents and other members of their community with jobs through manufacturing in and sourcing from countries we are serving,” he adds.

Rizvi believes that by taking such a deep-rooted approach, they are, in a way, laying the foundation for lasting change.

Over time, the T-shirt label has partnered with NGOs like Hope Public Foundation, SAVE The Deserving Children and Next Generation Pakistan, who act as intermediaries for the business. These organisations buy shirts from Virgin Teez and then sell them off for the cause they stand for.

Rizvi highlights that 43 % of the sales proceedings are given off for charity. For example, if a shirt costs Rs1,000, then Rs430 will be contributed towards a charitable cause.

“One single child’s education fee is around Rs430 per month at a public school, so that is fair enough. On the other hand, one shirt purchased by the Hope Public Foundation, feeds about 28 meals to a hungry person. That works out well too,” he says.

He also points out that the tag at the back of his T-shirt indicates which charity it is connected with and which cause the charity stands for.

Introducing 20 new designs, this year, Rizvi’s main aim is to target growing MNCs and general customers, since both of them are capable enough to buy these T-shirts and in turn, contribute towards eradicating these two major problems that exist in our society.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 2^nd, 2013.

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LOS ANGELES: Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra has a higher mission than just making it in Hollywood — she wants to break down stereotypes of Indians in Tinsel town’s eyes and maybe make things easier for her compatriots who live in the United States.

“We don’t travel on elephants, there aren’t any snake charmers on the side of the road and everybody doesn’t talk like Apu from The Simpsons,” the actor said with a laugh.

But in her latest role as an eye-catching, animated racing airplane in Disney’s global adventure Planes, Chopra said she is hoping to cross the boundaries of Bollywood to Hollywood.

“This is a very global movie. You have characters from all across the world, and I think for kids, it’s great to understand that there are so many different cultures and people out there,” she said.

Chopra first rose to fame in 2000 — she won the Miss World beauty pageant and transitioned into Bollywood. But the journey wasn’t easy.

“I was 17-years-old, I didn’t know anything. I just went with my gut and I wanted to take a chance,” she said, adding that she’s “made so many mistakes along the way”.

“There is a very big stereotype with Indian actors, and you get only Indian parts [roles]. There is a stereotype that there’s a certain accent and a certain vibe. I felt a lot of that and I really want to be able to change that for people [so they can] be proud of their roots,” she added.

Chopra’s step into Hollywood coincides with her foray into pop music, releasing her single, Exotic, featuring rapper Pitbull from her upcoming yet-to-be-titled album.

With her music and film career expanding outside of Bollywood, Chopra said she is now in a position to change common misconceptions that people may have about India.

“It was really hard for me when I went to school in America, and I don’t want that to happen to any more kids or people who come from my part of the world. So if I can do something to change that perception, I’ll be happy,” she said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2013.

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Model Natasha aka Natty once again caught our attention for being unfashionable. She arrived at Fahad Hussayn’s store launch in Lahore wearing this mismatched outfit and leaving us unsure about what look she was going for. Here’s the breakdown:

The charge sheet

Hair

As a model and TV personality, we expect Natty to go the extra mile and always be camera ready. Curls or a voluminous blow dry would have looked much better than poker straight hair.

Make-up

While the foundation is very much there, it is making her face look pale and washed out. Contouring and a touch of bronzer would have really brought out her cheekbones.

A dark eye shade with lots of mascara would have also drawn attention to her eyes. Also, we don’t see why she has matched her lipstick to her handbag – a pink lipstick would have looked so much better.

Outfit

This silk printed dress is in keeping with current trends, and would have looked so much better if that brown tank top was not visible. Also, pairing it with dark denim jeans when she could have opted for lemon or off-white palazzos or even tights is a disaster.

Accessories and Shoes

The bracelet, earrings and gold watch along with the solitaire are elements that don’t frustrate us. The Birkin is not matching these unattractive platforms. A statement necklace and strappy wedges would have looked so much better.

Bail out!

Frieha Altaf

Frieha looks great in this long, flared shirt with colours blending in well together without overpowering the whole look. Her light make-up with those red lips is an eye pleaser.

Amna Kardar

Designer Amna Kardar pulls off this black halter neck silk dress with sheer elegance. The silhouette flatters her curves well and the shimmering gold neckline adds a touch of glamour. Her well-defined eyes and voluminous hairdo are perfect for the evening.

Huma Amir Shah 

Former talk show host, Huma Amir Shah was seen wearing a Shehla Chatoor outfit at the Lux Style Awards 2013, looking unquestionably dazzling! She elegantly carries this one-shoulder lime dress with an equally chic golden clutch that compliments her entire look. Natty should take pointers from her on how to match her make-up with her outfit.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2013.

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Being watched like a hawk, constant media attention and trailing paparazzi seem to be a permanent part of an actor’s life. It seems they knew what they were getting into when they aspired for stardom, and so it’s rather ironic when actors show rage and anger when their pictures are snapped. However, out of mere humanity and empathy, giving these stars — who provide us with so much entertainment — some space would be a good idea.

Katrina Kaif has expressed her grief over this very matter of privacy and morality. Her pictures, with rumoured lover Ranbir Kapoor, holidaying on a beach in Spain, were recently splashed all over the internet. She said that she felt betrayed as the press chose to invade her personal space and print the photographs.

“I am writing this to say that I feel most upset, distressed and invaded at my pictures [being] published in a film magazine, which were also carried by others. The pictures were taken while I was on holiday by someone who, in an act of cowardice, has shot without permission and then used the pictures for commercial gain,” she said, according to the Times of India.

“There is a breed of journalism that preys on celebrities in the worst possible manner, crossing all lines of privacy and decency. Running these pictures shows support for this school of journalism.”

She requested that everyone running these pictures “please refrain from doing so.” She added, “I have a wonderful relationship with the media and have been accessible to them at all times. There is no reason for this furtive and invasive behaviour.”

However, when the pictures were first leaked, sources revealed that Katrina was pleased that it was finally clear to everyone that Ranbir and her were an item, striking Deepika Padukone (Ranbir’s ex-lover) out of the picture completely, according to the Indian Express.

So what does Bollywood’s Barbie really want? Attention or no attention!?

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2013.

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There has been a great deal of confusion among distributors in Pakistan regarding the release of two of Bollywood’s biggest films, Chennai Express and Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaara. There were reports last month that the two would not come to Pakistan on Eid. However, word has it that they will finally be showcased in Pakistani cinemas.

Local distributors have mutually agreed to screen both films a few days after Eid, so that the three Pakistani films, Main Hoon Shahid Afridi, Josh and Ishq-e-Khuda, can get a clear running and a due share in business — as competition from Bollywood films will come a week later.

“Since I am distributing Ishq-e-Khuda and I am also the importer of Chennai Express, it was in the favour of the entire industry to encourage budding Pakistani film-makers and release them at a later date,” told Amjad Rasheed, CEO IMGC Entertainment, to The Express Tribune. “Chennai Express is slated for a release approximately five days after Eid,” he added.

On the other hand OUTM Dobaara is being imported by Eveready Pictures and sources reveal that it is scheduled to release on Aug 18. Now Pakistani movies will have one full week of clear competition though it remains to be seen whether Main Hoon Shahid Afridi beat Bollywood charm and remain steady, just like Khuda Kay Liye sailed over Awarapan.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2013.

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While we’ve been caught up in Eid exhibitions and collections here at home, India just completed its annual Bridal Fashion Week and is currently on to its next most significant fashion week of the year, PCJ Delhi Couture Week 2013.

We’ve always held the view that Pakistani luxury fashion houses are much more adept at bringing a contemporary flavour into tailoring and silhouettes and that a traditional cut hardly poses a challenge or proof of design innovation, even if it is bridal wear.

However, after witnessing coverage of the six-day event, we’re forced to alter our initial generalised view — while we, as a group, may be much more receptive to exploring modernism in tradition, there lies an ocean of talent next door.

To be fair, Indian designers allow themselves a lot more freedom of expression, while bridal fashion weeks for us have largely been reduced to playing out a ritual rather than an evolutionary process.

Filtering out the trends that spoke, or rather sang to us, the best one had to be the incredible array of jackets that replaced the trailing tapestries over lehengas and even saris.

Shantanu and Nikhil

Shantanu and Nikhil did it leaps and bounds above the rest introducing a pleated, gold brocade, closed jacket with an Elizabethan standing collar over a fitted hip full pleated skirt.

The fall was impeccable, and for us, it was love at first sight. The team did a few different versions of the style and each one was a knock-out with the folds resting perfectly.

JJ Valaya also played brilliantly with waistcoats and cropped jackets as did Rohit Bal among an assortment of other players.

Rohit Bal

Elizabethan structured pleated collars and bandaged sleeves were a much more popular theme at India Bridal Week than you would expect.

Rohit Bal played extensively with the Shakespearean fashion genre, pairing it with rich velvet for an added effect. He poured the poetry of intricate gold handcraft, inspired by Mughal royalty, onto a Victorian aristocratic canvas and it worked.

However, the collection was by no means restricted to a single page. Rather, it kept flowing like a book with lots of white and gold Kashmiri touches, and even Shibori tie-dye.

 Falguni & Shane Peacock

A little bit of peplum as well as laced collections showcased at Jyotsna Tiwari and Falguni & Shane Peacock.

While we’re not too crazy about the trend even for Western wear, it added an interesting feature into the mix as cute corset tops.

 Rohit Bal

Who says there’s no place for black in bridal week? Designers set their own rules with plenty of mysterious darkness seen at the shows of Falguni & Shane Peacock, Rohit Bal and Suneet Varma.

Some were contrasted with romantic gold, others with popping pink, while most flew solo. It seems almost blasphemous to say it out loud, but could black be the new red?

Tarun Tahiliani, Adarsh Gill

Remnants of the Gatsby fashion fever were felt at Adarsh Gill and Tarun Tahiliani with the models sporting the characteristic headbands, vampire red lips and dark retro waves.

They were dressed in shimmering ivory deconstructed drapes at Tahiliani and all disco black and silver at Gill. The move would have made a marked impact six months ago but, by now, it’s all a bit been there, done that.

Our own Bridal Fashion Week is coming up in October and we hope our immensely talented designers will not be afraid to let their true colours shine behind red and pink glittering traditional ghararas and shararas alone.

Twitter ID: @Secretclosetpk

Secretcloset.pk is an exclusive online fashion portal

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2013.

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The news of Pakola winding up in Pakistan due to a rise in capacity tax has left many on Twitter and Facebook feeling nostalgic. We get that Pakola (because of its obvious Pakistaniyat) has a large, patriotic fan following, but were surprised and amused at the Twitter posts and Facebook statuses that professed utter devastation.

So we compiled a list of some popular products from the ‘90s that are still around in some form but have been overshadowed by the numerous other brands (both local and foreign) in the market.

Top Pops

These puffy, oddly-shaped baked cheesy corn chips were probably the best packet of chips you could buy with Rs2 at the time. Promoted with the slogan “thoda sa magic, thodi si masti”, this packet came with a ‘jumbo whistle’ as a prize, and left your fingers stained with orange food colouring when you got to the end of the packet.

Produced by Niaz (Pvt) Limited, the regular pack for Rs2 was launched in 1989 but manufacturers discontinued it citing a rise in prices of corn, edible oil, plastic wrapping, electricity, gas and labour since 2008, as well as the erosion of the rupee value. The Rs5 Top Pops pack was launched in 2009 and is still available.

Naz pan masala

Those who have seen the tele-ad can never forget the exaggerated phrase “meri mutthi mein band hai kya? Bata do na. Naz Pan Masala!”.

Advertised as a “mouth freshener”, this candy-covered saunf (fennel) mixed with coconut and chalia product was launched in 1978 by Ashraf Products and is still very much present today. Its competitor Gogo Pan Masala, made by Shahzada Industries is also widely available in the market.

Choco Chums

Produced by Meiji in 1988, these yummy round chocolate-filled biscuits with cartoons drawn on the surface could be eaten packet after packet.

The packet was small enough to fit in your pocket as well as your lunch box but never had enough little biscuits for one satisfying snack. In 1996, Bisconni bought Meiji and rebranded and launched the product as Cocomo.

Peek Freans Ringo

Launched in 1988, Ringo biscuits were fun to eat because you could put the biscuit on your finger and munch away. As the English Biscuit Manufacturers launched more products, the demand for Ringo dwindled and production finally shut down in 2003.

Peek Freans most popular product today is its egg and milk biscuit Sooper, which started in 1996 and was rebranded in 2002.

Frost and Frooto

Unless your mother insisted you take your water to school in a flask, these 250ml cartons with attached straws were staple lunch box items. And of course, the Complete Frooto/Frost Experience required you to blow air into the empty carton, throw it on the floor and jump on it for a loud POP (talk about maximising utility).

While Frost is no longer available, Frooto was launched by a juice producer in 1985 and is available in three flavours; mango, orange and a mango plus orange mix.

Jet Sport and the Polka cup

A fridge loaded with the delicious orange Jetsport and raspberry Mama Mia ice lollies along with mango and vanilla Polka ice cream cups was the best thing that happened to the summer.

Wall’s, which was introduced to Pakistan in 1995, later bought Polka Ice Cream and rebranded Jetsport and the cup as the Paddle Pop cup.

BP jellies and candies

Established in 1948 by the Sheikh family of Chiniot, BP Industries have produced iconic sweets and candies for decades. You’ll probably still remember the addictive ‘murghi wali candy’ – the tiny balls of candy that came in a cardboard box which would slide open.

Their butter candy and ‘gayen wali goli’ were also famous, along with the whale jelly (remember the add with the kids in the pool?). Today, the older products have been discontinued but they still produce the popular Chocolate Dream, BP Spacer and Pizza Jelly.

Jubilee

Still very much around today, back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, having a Jubilee bar and ‘football wali’ chocolates in your pocket made you feel like you were on top of the world. With its signature gold wrapping, this Mitchell’s chocolate with a centre of sweet caramel and nougatine was launched and marketed through TV commercials in 1980.

It is now also available in a smaller size to “meet the smaller pockets.”

Here is how Twitter reacted to the news of Pakola winding down:

With all the chaos in the country, there is one very sad news for Green blooded Pakistanis. They are killing #Pakola. We grew up on that :(

— Zaid Hamid (@ZaidZamanHamid) August 1, 2013

Imtiaz Muslim @imty8884h

The ghost of #Pakola is haunting me! Everywhere I look I see pakola! Even on my Samsung S3, when the battery is fully charged, IT’S PAKOLA!

My first love is on the verge of death. I can't imagine how life would be without her. Please pray for her survival. I love you, #Pakola.

— Rafay Rahman (@RafayRahman) August 2, 2013

Mahad Ali Sajid @Flaym1h

#Pakola will always remain in our taste buds. Rest in peace friend.

Alam Qazi @Al_Dex211h

that radioactive liquid happens to be the tastiest of all the other reactives. #Pakola needs to come back, man.

Mohammad Yousuf @yousuf32201h

I pity the generation that won’t know the taste of true icecream soda. May your demise only be temporary #Pakola

Raafia Sabir @rafiasabir2h

Mr Nawaz, I just hate you for destroying my ultimate childhood memory & my most favourite drink #Pakola

Bushra Joyo @bushrajoyo4h

This is what you call power of a good product. Without any strong advertising #Pakola is still loved in #Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2013.

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A brainchild of a new media developer Saad Hamid, the group blog is a way to share information and review places, discover hangouts, follow local happenings and showcase photos of the city. “The idea came to us after we organised TEDxCity2.0 to highlight the urban innovations around the country. We realised the need for an online platform where people of Islamabad can exchange ideas,” he added.

Last year, the blog was launched in beta version with limited access and later, it was opened for the common reader where anyone can join the online community and share their story.

“We miss out on a lot of opportunities because we never get to hear the ideas and stories of people and what they are up to. This group blog tries to solve that problem,” Hamid explained.

With an active presence on social media, the blog is getting noticed on social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter. While referring to a post on the blog titled “The ancient and the unseen,” writer and development professional Raza Rumi tweeted recently, “Glad to see that a young Islamabad guy took the time to explore the city’s ancient heritage.”

An excerpt from the post reads: “Modern archaeologists believe that [Shah Allah Ditta] caves were once a focal point of pilgrimage during the Early Hindu Period and were occupied by Hindu Sadhus and yogis who performed ancient religious rites of meditation to achieve Nirvana.”

Other topics covered on the website include discoveries about the city, excursions and outdoor opportunities, a list of tourist attractions, civic interventions and initiatives and photo essays. Going beyond the civic scope, one post also illustrates the viability of “public-funded solar parks” to counter the lingering power crisis in the country.

Still in a nascent stage, the blog encourages posts on culture, architecture, weather, events and parties, politics, businesses and job opportunities.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2013.

“I won’t date anyone from the industry, honestly. Industry guys are amazing, but the good ones are taken,” said Sonam. “I have learnt that work and pleasure should be separate,” added the actor, who was present at the cover launch of Stardust magazine, featuring her and her I Hate Luv Storys co-star Imran Khan.

Sonam was all praise for Imran, who, according to her, is “the best looking guy in the industry”. Recalling an incident when she felt overshadowed by the actor’s good looks and glow, Sonam said: “We were shooting for I Hate Luv Storys, and I kept on telling him, ‘If you [Imran] look more beautiful than me, then I will get really upset with you’.”

“I was really upset at that time as his skin was really glowing and I was like, ‘Oh my god! I will look awkward next to him [in the film] now’,” she added.

While Sonam’s off screen love life is rather unknown to the world, her on screen love life has been quite exciting as depicted by the roles she played in Saawariya and the recently released film Raanjhanaa.

The actor will soon be seen in the re-make of the 1980 hit film Khoobsoorat.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2013.

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We all love to stalk this tall, toned model-turned-Btown-star through pictures when she’s out and about. Be it a photograph snapped as she hurriedly walks from her car into a party, or pictures of her at promotional events, this Bollywood beauty is a sight for sore eyes because she is uber-fashionable.

While Deepika has always been graceful and poised, the quirkiness in her style only really kicked in during Cocktail — when we saw her wild, fun side in the movie and a fashion-forward side during promo events. In her upcoming film Chennai Express, Deepika plays a South Indian girl Meena, the daughter of a don. The few shots and posters we have seen of the film show Deepika in typically traditional South Indian saris and jewelry.

At her recent promotional events, Bollywood’s in-house style diva has gone traditional, wearing anarkalis, saris and floor-skimming dresses. The hair has mostly been tied back and there has been lots of mustard and orange in her outfits.

In a recent interview, Deepika talked about her style mantra. “Orange is my favourite colour and that’s why I [wear] it. I don’t really know what colours are in, but I am someone who will always wear something that I’m comfortable with. I decide the colours that I would want to wear. The important thing is to keep it cool in summers and yet look stylish.” “I love putting my hair up at times, and am always open to experimenting with different styles. I just like to try out something new and different,” she added.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2013.

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When working out Eid make-up, we are looking for a few key components — durability, practicality and adaptability.

After all, this look has to last all day through the heat, needs to be something you can touch up easily and has to look as good for the dreaded early morning visit as well as for the big family dinner. But I would throw in one more component now — fun! Eid is, after all, a celebration and, with this in mind, I am recommending a clean but bold look.

Channeling Brigitte Bardot and this season’s love of corals, wow everyone this Eid with this playful look!

Foundation:

On a trawl through the shops at Dolmen Mall, I was surprised to see many new brands — some that I hadn’t heard of. I found Covo, a Malaysian brand that offers an HD foundation, to be a great option. Lightweight but strong; this is the case of a little goes a long way. Another foundation that I like is Revlon’s Colorstay. This, too, is strongly pigmented but very thin. Both the products delivered a non-oily finish; in fact, Colorstay offers a “combination/oily skin” formula. Lord & Berry’s cream foundation also has a smooth finish that I liked.

*Top tip: Cover your face lightly with liquid foundation and blend with a sponge, but before you begin, put a small dab or two on the back of your hand. By the time you are done blending your base, these few dabs on the back of your hand would have air-dried giving you a creamier textured foundation that is now the perfect consistency to conceal with. Conceal under the eyes and at the edges of your nostrils.

Powder:

Sticking with two of these brands, the powders are equally impressive. Both powders come in a compact with a sponge that allows for easy on the go application. However, Covo’s HD picturesque pressed powder has an SPF of 42, making it great for the day, but at night, for the camera, Colorstay’s pressed powder will be the way to go to avoid that ghostly look that comes from SPF.

*Top tip: We are going for a satin finish to our base, but do make sure that you don’t look too powdery after your touch-ups. Use one side of the sponge to pick up and apply powder and keep the other free of powder to blend. Once you are done delivering powder to your face from the other side of the sponge, use the clean side to buff off any extra.

Blush:

Don’t be shy! This is a simple look and blush is certainly an important component. Swish blush along your cheek bone fading in intensity from ear to the apple of the cheek.

Eyes:

Sweep a neutral eye shadow over your eye lid, but stop at the socket line. Or you can rub your finger in to your face powder and use it to highlight your brow bone, and swish it over your lid as well. The real hero of this look is of course your eye liner. It would be best to refer to my previous post on getting the perfect liner and practice before Eid. This being said, there are two hero products in the market. One is more lasting than the other, but what it loses out in durability, it makes up in ease when it comes to touch-ups. I am referring to L’oreal’s new Super Liner, which can become weak over time, but two seconds in the loo will allow you to whip out that easy-to-carry pen like applicator and touch up to perfection!

The second liner is a little harder to manipulate (you will require a brush to apply it) but it is the ever ready battery of liners…it just keeps going. I am referring to Maybelline’s Colour Tattoo in “Timeless Black”.  It is unlikely that you will need to touch this up for most of the day, perhaps just a dab before dinner. A strong mascara will complete your look.

*Top tip: Always take a few Qtips with you on your travels when you are wearing an eye liner heavy look. A damp cotton bud will cure all eye liner related ills.

Lips:

You’re actually freer to play here, since your lips are so neutral. However, a fun coral, peach or pink, is the way to go. A dash of gloss is fun as well, considering the eyes are so dense. Art Decos Perfect Color lipstick in 99, Revlon Colorstay’s glosses in “022” and “008”, and Kate Moss Rimmel collection in either #19 or #08, are all fun options.

*Top tip: the car is a great place for general touch-ups, so put your lipstick, powder compact, blush and liner in your purse. Only your liner requires that the car is stationary!

Bina Khan is a make-up artist, photographer, skin technician and writer who owns a salon and photography studio in Karachi.

All images and content are the property of Bina Khan. Any unauthorised use of the same is illegal and liable for prosecution.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2013.

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Rizwan Beyg has a tendency to surface into the limelight with flashes of brilliance and then to slink back into the shadows once again. For instance, his showcase in this May’s PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week (PSFW) was an ingenious ode to truck-art.

Coquettish peacocks and flowers painted by actual truck artists and ornamented with the traditional ‘chamak-patti’ on fitted jackets, high boots, jeans and those gorgeous, delectable bags  — they had the Telegraph’s Hilary Alexander declaring it to be the best collection at the event. Rizwan had professed that it would soon be available for purchase.

Only, three months later, come Eid, Rizwan’s ‘Rangg’ is yet to be seen in stores. A pity — what a statement those thigh-high boots or pants would have made amidst the mundane Eid ‘designer’ chikankari, machine embroidery and digital prints infiltrating the market! Apparently, Rizwan’s collection is still in production.

“People associate a certain quality with my brand and I need to uphold it,” he tells me. “When I began replicating the truck-art collection I realised that the paint was peeling off the soft fabric. I am trying now to devise a way to digitally print and embellish the designs so that they look similar to the original collection. I am not just focusing on the local market but also at international stores. I have had queries from all over the world.”

This is, of course, thanks to the coverage provided by PSFW. Over the last few years, Rizwan’s flitted from one council to the other, one fashion week to the next. He was a founding member of the Karachi-based Fashion Pakistan Council only to resign due to internal differences. Instead, last year, he orchestrated the one show wonder ‘Showcase’ — an event that ended up being sandwiched between two other mainstream fashion weeks and had insiders quipping about “yet another fashion week”.  Showcase fizzled out due to supposed organisational difficulties and Rizwan participated in the PSFW this year. The experience, apparently, has worked out well.

“It’s a very effective, efficient platform for fashion,” he says. “My collection got reviewed in Vogue and the Telegraph and I had talks with Carol Hanlon, a liaison from Australia who was attending the event. A Japanese buyer has also contacted me. But I need to be able to make the collection perfect before I make it available internationally.”

He also needs to first at least make it available locally, I point out. At a time when designers are getting business-savvy, making a beeline for mass-retail through flagship stores, Rizwan continues to function through limited capsule collections at multi-labels and through his studio, stowed away in a corner of Karachi’s Boat Basin.

“People who want to see my collections in their entirety can always stop by my studio. Mass-retail and flagship stores, though, just don’t appeal to me — I’d lose out on originality and detailing,” he says. “I might try to bring down prices by mixing machine embroideries with hand embellishments but I wouldn’t ever want to resort to the machine completely —  designs churned out through computers  —  when I can create clothes that are more distinctive, more ethical.”

It is the ethical side to fashion that is closer to his heart, he professes. Rizwan’s design-house currently employs about 800 women living in Pakistan’s rural areas and while he may usually evade local events, he is a regular participant in the ethical fashion contingent at Colombo Fashion Week. “All my embellishments are painstakingly created by local artisans, sometimes taking weeks or even months to complete. Women that care about empowering their gender and giving back to society will buy my clothes regardless of the higher price-points.”

The rest, if they feel the inclination, may make do with three-piece lawn. Rizwan was one of the first designers to venture into lawn decades ago and he continues to sporadically bring out collections. Does his lawn still sell well, amidst the myriad of other brands shouldering into the market? “It always does,” he shrugs. “We make sure that we only print a limited number of suits so that there are no losses.”

He only recently released his Eid collection in the market and is now planning on temporarily shifting base to the UAE. “I have been invited by Sheikha Jawahir of Sharjah to work with the local Bedouin women of her country,” he says. “I will be acting as a consultant for setting up a centre that will focus on the revival of Bedouin crafts. It is more important to me to revive these indigenous crafts and to spread awareness about ethical fashion rather than profits or sales.”

An altruistic declaration — and he may just do wonders in Sharjah — but still, what’s the point in putting up a breathtakingly beautiful fashion week showcase only to not make it available for purchase? Even the older clothes stocked in his studio have greater finesse than so many designer collections currently infiltrating the market. There are racks upon racks lined with couture pieces sparkling with golden gota and intricate marori-work, detailed chikankari that he delved into many years ago, as well as, Swati phulkari motifs, gypsy-style tunics and shrugs with cross-stitched flowers along their lengths and wedding-wear replete with sequins and hand-embroideries. A maroon sari currently being created for Indian actor Sonakshi Sinha glitters with tiny embroidered flowers and Rajisthani gota-patti and the truck-art bags lie stacked on a chair, brought out so that I could marvel over them up-close. “They will be ready for retail in a few more months,” says Rizwan.

This is the litmus test that Rizwan now needs to pass — to find a balance between his love for craftsmanship and the need to retail. He may still be the King of Couture but fashion has now become a fast-changing game. Designers need to put out regular collections and make their clothes easily available in order to stay in business. Besides, why should someone like Rizwan be restricted to bridal orders and the uber-rich who can afford his embellished creations? He’s one of the finest designers Pakistan has — it’s about time all of Pakistan begins wearing him!

Maliha Rehman

is a fashion and lifestyle journalist with an obsessive, compulsive need to write. Log on for more fashion updates on Twitter
@maliharehman.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2013.

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While it is unfortunate that despite producing many feature films which could have earned at least a nomination, Pakistan has failed to submit films for this category for 50 years. In 1959, Jago Hua Savera was submitted by film-maker AJ Kardar, while in 1963, feature film Ghungat (The Veil) was submitted to the Academy Award for consideration as Best Foreign Language Film. In an interview with Variety, British-Pakistani film-maker Hammad Khan of Slackistan fame, explains the 50-year absence as a result of Pakistan’s attitude towards cinema as well as political turmoil. “Pakistan has been so preoccupied with coups, wars and religion that cinema has only been reduced to low entertainment by the powers-that-be. It is, of course, monumentally idiotic to ignore the power of cinema in the development of any nation’s narrative,” he says.

Director Iram Parveen Bilal, who has confirmed to The Express Tribune that she will be submitting her film Josh to the Academy, welcomes the formation of the committee. “Having an Oscar nomination committee for Pakistan has been one of my missions for a while – [I am] glad Sharmeen was willing to take the torch to help us form it,” she says. “As film-makers, we make films and should at least have the opportunity to be considered. On an international level it is important for Pakistan to have a voice at the table and be able to represent itself.”

Member Samina Peerzada also sees the committee as a positive sign for Pakistani cinema. “Finally! Young film-makers will have a platform to showcase their talent and, above all, a clear pathway as to how to reach the Oscars. I am delighted to be a part of this venture and am excited about seeing and discussing films. Hopefully there will come a day when one of our feature films will make us proud.”

The Academy Awards, now officially known as The Oscars, are given annually for excellence in cinematic achievements. Journalist and documentarian Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy won an Oscar for her film Saving Face in 2012 under the category Best Documentary, Short Subject, in which she highlighted the issue of acid attacks on Pakistani women.

Criteria for eligibility:

1. The motion picture must first be released in the country of submission no earlier than October 1, 2012 and no later than September 30, 2013.

2. The film must be publicly exhibited for seven consecutive days in a commercial motion picture theatre for the profit of the producer and exhibitor.

3. The picture must be advertised and exploited during its eligibility run in a manner considered normal and customary to the industry. The picture need not have been released in the United States.

4. No type of television or Internet transmission may occur at any time prior to the motion picture’s theatrical release.

5. The recording of the original dialogue track as well as the completed picture must be predominantly in a language or languages other than English. Accurate English-language subtitles are required.

6. The film must be feature-length, defined as a minimum of 40 minutes, except for short subject awards, and it must exist either on a 35 mm or 70 mm film print or in 24 frame/s or 48 frame/s progressive scan digital cinema format with native resolution no less than 1280×720.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2013.

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