Sisters and VJs Alishba and Syra Yousuf were recently spotted on the pink carpet of the Veet Celebration of Beauty 2013 event in completely opposite looks. While Alishba kept it chic and demure in a rather casual outfit, Syra was high on funk and experimentation. Here is a breakdown:.

Alishba Yousuf

Hair and Make-up

We love Alishba’s vintage-inspired hairdo. While the messy bun and curly locks are attractive, we feel a side-part would have looked much better. Smokey eyes are a fav! But compared to her subtle outfit, her eye make-up is way too overpowering.

Outfit 

Everything about Alishba’s outfit is bang on trend. The pastel pink lace top with diamante detailing on the neckline, paired with white linen pants is simply fab! Though, we are not sure if the outfit is suitable for a red carpet event — it looks more like a ‘girls’ night out outfit.

Accessories and Shoes

Once again, apart from her super hot earrings, everything else is a bit too casual for an awards night. The floral printed heels are adorable, but better suited for a day brunch we feel. And that silver baggy wallet/clutch could have been swapped for a statement Sidra Nasir handbag.

Syra Yousuf

Hair and Make-up

There is simply nothing that Syra has missed out — she looks truly refreshing with dead straight locks that enhance her bob cut and subtle, glowing make-up. We are in love with her pale orange lip shade.

Outfit

We appreciate celebrities taking risks on the red carpet but a lungi/lacha is taking it way too far! While her Sania Maskatiya outfit is bright, colourful and funky, the lower half would have been a more appropriate for a Lollywood Comic Con than one of the biggest fashion events in the industry. Maybe it’s the busy prints that are keeping us from falling in love with this outfit? The pieces would have worked great separately.

Accessories and Shoes

Syra’s chunky gold necklace is definitely the fashion statement of this year! And we are glad that she did not pair it up with a bunch of other accessories that would have taken all the attention away. Thankfully, Syra kept it simple with a pair of black, velvet heels.

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

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Just when we were sick of complaining that there is nothing interesting happening on the fashion front, Pernia Qureshi and Corto Moltedo decided to stop over in Karachi. That’s right. She’s Sonam Kapoor’s BFF and one of the hottest stylist and fashion entrepreneurs in India. He’s the Italian creative director and designer of luxury accessories brand Corto Moltedo and the son of Bottega Veneta founders.

The duo will be at retail store Labels on Tuesday for a trunk show showcasing an exquisite collection of handbags by Corto, who launched his brand back in 2004, and has been a hit among famous international celebrities. A native of both Venice and New York, Corto’s aesthetic stems from his hybrid existence in both the city and country, as well as his many travels around the world.

We are very excited to be the first to bring you an up close and personal conversation with the fashionistas. Watch this space for more on Pernia, Corto and the trunk show that takes place on Tuesday from 11am till 9pm at Labels, Karachi.

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

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NEW DELHI: Be it a cop, folk hero, journalist or a mentally challenged young man, Mel Gibson has probably done it all in his four-decade long acting career. But despite playing a myriad of roles, there’s one that specifically appeals to the Academy award winner — a villain! He admits that he has a soft corner when it comes to essaying negative roles.

“Bad guys are always more fun [to play]! And if you find the bad in the good guys, it’s more fun,” Gibson said. About his upcoming action film Machete Kills (sequel of 2010 film Machete), the 57-year-old says, “I play a villainous arms dealer who is an evil genius — it’s a pretty interesting character.”

The movie also stars Lady Gaga, Jessica Alba, Vanessa Hudgens, Charlie Sheen and Danny Trejo (in a lead role). “Working with Danny Trejo was a lot of fun and it was a great experience. He is so full of life and energised all the time,” said Gibson.

In Sylvester Stallone’s upcoming film The Expendables 3, Gibson is also quite likely to don the role of a baddie.

However, as much as the actor might enjoy the bad-guy act, he admits that he would love to play a superhero on the big screen too. “I would have loved to play a superhero. It would be exciting and something out of this world,” he added.

No matter what role Gibson plays, to the world he will always be remembered for his action sequences be it Lethal Weapon or Die Hard and he definitely takes pride in being called an action hero. “I have always loved doing action movies. It’s good to know that people call me an action hero,” he said.

Apart from acting, the star has also tried his luck at direction with films such as The Man Without a Face, Braveheart (which was nominated for 10 Academy Awards), The Passion of the Christ and Apocalypto.

“Direction was something that was on my mind for quite some time. It was a new experience and I got to learn a lot from it,” he said.

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

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Open to “everyone”, the contest organisers are encouraging young people to submit five-minute videos talking about someone they consider a hero. Documentaries can be in any format, with raw and amateur footage also being accepted. Not only will the winner take home $1,000 as prize money, their documentary will air on TV in North America, and possibly around the world. The winner may also be able to sign a potential contract with SoundView Broadcasting.

“I am taking every hero that young people are inspired by and connecting them through a short film,” says Hashmi.  “Sadly, in Pakistan we have an unrealistic concept of heroes that we don’t connect to on a human level,” says Hashmi. He hopes to bring attention to unsung local heroes who have influenced and touched lives in some way.

Sharing a personal anecdote, Hashmi spoke about how his father was coached by a bureaucrat who inspired him, and how his father later inspired him.

Talking about the contest, Hashmi said each film will be judged by a jury panel on “technical soundness, relevance to society and strict adherence to guidelines”. After the contest period has ended, a jury will shortlist the 30 best entries which will then be posted online for a second round of voting by both a panel of film industry judges and the public.

While he wants to bring attention to everyday heroes that have inspired people, he also feels the project will beckon aspiring young film-makers to sharpen their skills. Eventually, he feels, they could gain confidence and go on to become profession film-makers.

“We plan to produce the next generation of Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoys, Mehreen Jabbars and Mo Naqvis,” he said. “This way, we are not only celebrating every day heroes, but also those who introduce us to them.”

He strongly urges amateur film-makers to get out of their comfort zones because he feels films go a long way and have a great social impact. “We also believe [this project] will generate a lot of traffic on the local and international front.”

Film-makers respond

“I would love to participate,” says film-maker Seher Palijo, who has made documentaries such as Reality of Karachi, which has been screened on the Samosa website, along with being broadcast at Emerald Channel, UK. Her documentary Paper Bus has been broadcast on An Idea, London Film Festival. “My hero is my dad,” she says, adding that she hopes to submit a film.

Another young film-maker Awais Ahmed says, “We have many heroes in our midst. Some call Zamurd Khan a hero. For others, Sikander Khan is one,” he joked. “But for me, my hero should be my hero, someone I can connect with.”

Requirements:

•  The video must be an original piece of work created for this contest or prior to it

•  A minimum of one minute and a maximum of five minutes in length

•  Primarily in English and/or Urdu languages (non-English language videos must be accompanied by a written English translation and/or contain English subtitles)

•  In high-definition format

•  Entries will be accepted starting September 1, 2013 until the deadline of October 31, 2013

•  Entrants must be residents of Pakistan

•  Hero must be of Pakistani origin.

•  Adherence to the theme: No Pain, No Gain

•  A good story that elicits an emotional response from the viewer

Visit: www.greencardcapital.com for contest details, which opens September 1, 2013.

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

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Pakistan can produce exceptional television. Most will look at Humsafar or the recently concluded Zindagi Gulzar Hai as an example. But there’s more to Pakistani television than a serial, which shows the female lead as a demure victim, and the liberal, modern girl as a maniacal sociopath? Humsafar may be the most popular television show to date — it established Mahira Khan as a solid actor and Fawad Khan as the national heartthrob — but it doesn’t reflect the progress of Pakistani television.

Too many plays tend to play on cliches but time and again, one comes across a compelling series that can easily put its Indian counterparts to shame. Yariyan, a play starring Faisal Qureshi, Aijaz Aslam and Samiya Mumtaz, didn’t have the same old plot of evil mother-in-law versus angelic housewife. It focused on the relationship between the three protagonists, and was as much about friendship between a man and woman as it was about love, loss, deceit and impulsiveness.

Mora Piya, starring Aaminah Sheikh and Adeel Hussain, dealt with the subject of sexual assault and its impact on the survivor as well as those who surround her. Aaminah was exquisite and played the part beautifully. Handled with sensitivity, Mora Piya is just one example of how good Pakistani television can be in holding a mirror to societal injustices.

In Meray Paas Paas, Nadia Jamil starred as a modern, working woman whose ambitious husband (Deepak Perwani) walked out on her when she accidentally got pregnant. Her next-door neighbour, played superbly by Moammar Rana, is her only friend as she tries desperately to save her marriage. But instead of showing her as a victim who returns to her cheating husband due to societal pressure, we see the opposite in Meray Paas Paas. The series ended with Nadia and Moammar falling in love and getting together as a couple while the husband and wife share an amicable divorce.

This is good news because for a while there, Pakistani television was lost chasing its Indian counterpart unabashedly. The repetitive facial-shots with music blaring again and again, popularised by shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, found its way to local television. In fact, Indian soaps often find space on many local mainstream entertainment channels.

However, the last couple of years have seen a resurgence as new crop of actors such as Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, Naveen Waqar, Sanam Saeed and Junaid Khan pave the way for the future.

The ‘India’ factor

Like Pakistan, India has its share of soaps dedicated to social issues, but they drag on and on and on. If its not soaps, its bad reality television like Bigg Boss. Salman Khan is hosting the upcoming new season and while it maybe the most popular reality show on either side of the border, the show never fails to leave a sour aftertaste.

Contestants are thrown together in a house with no contact to the outside world. If contestants get along and do what is asked of them, Bigg Boss manipulates them to create ruckus. It really is vile television, which erodes the concept of privacy and encourages bitchiness, sensationalises fights and controversy in the name of ratings.

If Pakistan has to draw inspiration from India, one should move away from the soaps and the countless reality shows and move in the direction of event television.

Case in point: Indian version of American telly series, 24

Veteran film star Anil Kapoor made a splashy debut on American television in 2010 when he was cast as President Hassan in the hugely popular television show, 24. Set in Los Angeles, the drama followed the story of Jack Baeur as a counter-terrorism agent, who risks his life all the time to protect the United States of America from terrorists, domestic and foreign, at heavy personal losses.

At its peak, 24 picked up Emmy and Golden Globe awards and even won an interview with Larry King. After eight seasons, the show finally went off air. There are plans to revive the show as a limited series to gauge public reaction before ordering a full season for next year.

This brings us to Anil Kapoor, who starred in the final season, and bought the rights to the show so he could remake the series in India. Touted as one of the most expensive television series in Indian television history, the first trailer of the show is out and it must be said that it looks far more appealing than anything else including a plethora of bad reality shows and miserable soaps.

With Delhi Belly director Abhinay Deo at the helm of the show, 24 is bringing together a combination of intelligent actors from the big screen and the small screen.

Anil Kapoor will star as Jai Singh Rathod, the chief of anti-terrorist unit of India in 24 with a stellar cast backing him including the likes of Anupam Kher, Shabana Azmi, Rahul Khanna, Mandira Bedi, Ajinkya Deo and Rahul Singh.

Unlike soaps, 24 will follow the seasonal route and will include exactly 24 episodes with each episode telling the story of one hour in real time. Depending on the success of the first season, it will be determined if a second season is on the cards.

At 56, Anil Kapoor is reinventing himself on the small screen. And if Pakistan can draw inspiration from miserable Indian soaps or Big Boss, surely, we can get behind television that dares to be different.

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

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PESHAWAR: Pakistani film actor Meera is to feature in an upcoming Pashto film, “Worbal” which will be shot in Murree and Islamabad.

Producer of the film, Shahid Khan while talking to The Express Tribune said that the venture has a national focus, unlike most Pashto films which usually restrict themselves to audiences from the province.

“The film will prove to be a milestone for the Pakistani film industry,” he said, adding that it was great that mainstream actors were now expressing an interest to act in Pashto films.

“Meera agreed to work on the project, despite having other offers of regional films,” said Khan.

Muhammad Kamal Pasha wrote the narrative of the film, while Saeed Tehkali worked on the dialogues. Tahseen Khan has been tasked the camera work.

Khan said the fact that so many actors were now acting in Pashto films was a testament to their increasing standards.

Other famous actors who have appeared in Pashto films include Veena and Khushbu.

Last month, the Home and tribal affairs department Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) banned five Pashto films from being screened in cinemas on the grounds that they had been released without obtaining approval from the censor board.

If rumours are to be believed, socialite Pippa Middleton, sister of Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, is secretly engaged to her stockbroker boyfriend Nico Jackson. “Pippa loved seeing Kate go down the aisle and now it is her turn for a fairytale wedding,” her friend told the Huffington Post. “She couldn’t be more sure that Nico is the right man for her.”

The engagement has been reportedly kept hidden since June. According to Sunday People, the engagement will not be officially announced till Friday, Pippa’s 30th birthday, in order to not steal the attention away from Kate and her new-born baby. “They didn’t want to take the shine off Kate Middleton and her baby,” said a source close to the couple.

Pippa and Nico have been dating each other for six months now but the couple has been spending a lot of time on family vacations. Jackson’s mother previously told Daily Mail, “They are happy, and that is all that matters. As long as my children are happy, I am happy.”

If the grapevine is to be believed, Pippa will walk down the aisle next spring. She is “designing a ring” and also busy preparing for her wedding day. There is also buzz that the springtime nuptials are likely to take place at her parents’ Bucklebury home, while the ceremony will be held at a church close to the estate, reports IANS.

While the rumours of the engagement are all over the place, the couple and their families have completely refrained from commenting on it. But then again, isn’t that always the case with celebrity weddings!?

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

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Mr Perfectionist Aamir Khan is known for delving into his roles completely. From the acting to the get-up, everything has to be in perfect order and Dhoom 3 will be no different. According to the Hindustan Times, the previously unknown reason behind Aamir’s trip to Australia is to learn a “special, peculiar kind of dance form”. 

“No one is aware of this but it’s true that Aamir is learning a dance form in which you can see traces of tap dancing and ballet. Since he plays a circus gymnast in Dhoom 3, he’ll be seen doing a trademark movement in various songs and action scenes. And since it requires a lot of precision, he is getting trained extensively,” said an insider.

Aamir has apparently gone to Australia for a month’s trip and should be back in the next 15 days to shoot for the dance sequence. “Once he comes back, he is supposed to shoot for a dance number which will see him doing the movement that he’s training for.”

Dhoom 3 also features Katrina Kaif, Abhishek Bachchan and Jackie Shroff and is expected to release some time around Christmas this year.

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

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Guest Sharina Shah looks simple yet classy at the launch of The Designers store in Dubai. Here’s a breakdown of what she’s wearing, and how you can emulate her look!

Hair

Sharina keeps it straightforward with her hair down. It doesn’t look as if she has done much to it, but if your hair is on the wavier or curlier side, simply straighten it for a similar effect.

Make-up

Sharina’s kohl-rimmed eyes and thick lashes really make her big eyes look even bigger. She’s gone for bronzed cheeks and a nude lip, which dull down her outfit a little. We would’ve preferred a bold red lip. Try MAC’s False Lashes Waterproof mascara (Rs2,000)  to get long, voluminous lashes, and MAC’s Ravishing lipstick to get a nice nude lip. Apply Bourjois’ Maxi Delight bronzer (Rs1,500) to give your cheeks a sun kissed glow.

Outfit

Her simple white dress looks effortless, though we feel a belt would’ve done wonders for her figure! You can find a similar dress at Monsoon (Rs5,000).

Accessories and Shoes

Shah’s accessories complement her dress well. The necklace and earrings add some nice finishing touches to her outfit, along with her shoes. Her clutch really stands out though, as it’s the only pop of colour in her outfit. You can find similar shoes at Charles and Keith (Rs3,000) and the accessories can be bought from Accessorize or even your local market!

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

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Some stars are comfortable having their kids in front of a camera.  David Beckham and Tom Cruise, for instance, don’t mind sharing the limelight with their kids and neither does Sridevi, who is always seen with her daughters Jhanvi and Khushi at work-related and personal events. Aamir Khan, too, often takes his son Azad to the sets. “Aamir knows that if he resists, no one is going to listen to him. So it’s better to pose and make everyone happy,” veteran Indian photographer Pradeep Bandekar tells the Times of India.

A recent example of the world’s obsession with celebrity babies is the birth of Prince George Alexander Louis, the son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. There is a similar curiosity to see a glimpse of Shahrukh’s new born son AbRam.

But there are also those who go to extremes to protect their young ones. Michaela Jackson’s case was probably the most intense, as he literally covered the face of his newly born with a scarf so no one could catch so much of a look.

Akshay Kumar aka Khiladi Kumar, also seems to be quite protective of his children. He tries to keep his little ones – son Aarav and daughter Nitara – away from the camera as much as possible. Renowned film-maker Mahesh Bhatt’s daughter Alia Bhatt, who rose to stardom with her debut film Student of the Year, also admits that she was always kept away from the media. “Growing up, I was in my own world, away from everything. I guess my parents kept me away consciously knowing that one day, this is what my life would be,” she says.

Suniel Shetty, on the other hand, admits that he didn’t intend on keeping his children away from the limelight but it just happened. “I have brought up Athiya and Aahan as normally as possible, focusing more on their education which is most important. No special treatment was given to them,” Shetty told the Times of India. “But I am happy my daughter has chosen to act. And a fan following should be based purely on quality of work – it should not be a shortcut to success.”

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

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Paul McCartney was born a rocker. When the Beatles era came to an end, it seemed like the world of rock had faced a major downturn. But McCartney decided to go solo and has kept the legacy alive. He’s 71-years-old but has no intention of retiring.

“For me, the main thing is that I love making music so much,” McCartney said on a radio show, according to the Huffington Post. “If I retired, I would still do exactly what I [am] doing right now. So I might as well not retire. And retire from what?” The singer-songwriter admits that he’d do this even if he was getting nothing in return.

McCartney is living up to his sentiment as he released a number called New, earlier this week, in collaboration with Mark Ronson. He also tweeted, “Fans, check out the new teaser video,” two days ago, making sure his fans are well-informed about all his projects. An accompanying album of the same name is set to release on October 15. In addition to Ronson, other high-profile collaborators on the album include writer-producer Paul Epworth, who has worked with Adele and Foster the People, and Kings of Leon colleague Ethan Johns.

Guinness World Records described McCartney as the “most successful composer and recording artist of all time,”with 60 gold discs and sales of over 100 million albums and 100 million singles, and as the “most successful songwriter” in United Kingdom chart history.

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

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While Rang De Basanti, Raajneeti and Madras Café deal with bolder subjects, Satyagraha touches upon corruption in the collections department. A son – who is the sole bread earner of the family – is run over by a truck which is reported to be a mere accident. The government offers a generous compensation that is lost amidst a system driven by greed, carelessness and bribery. This triggers the rage of a father, a retired Gandhian school teacher Dwarka Anand, who is forced to go against his non-violent moralistic values, and ends up slapping the collector. What starts off as an old man’s confrontation, ends up becoming a national anti-corruption movement through Dwarka’s son’s ambitious, capitalist friend, Manav Raghvendra (Ajay Devgn), his journalist side-kick Yasmin Ahmed (Kareena Kapoor) and local youth leader Arjun (Arjun Rampal) with its roots in a small town called Ambikapur.

The intentions behind the storyline are sincere, but the director fails to execute them on screen and isn’t able to captivate the audience as a result. In an attempt to send across a bunch of self-righteous messages, the movie falls flat, saying very little to its audience. The characters appear scattered and confused, while the plot is essentially half-baked.

A socio-political movie like this should preferably be made without songs and particularly so in Satyagraha’s case, as the music is pointless. Apart from the catchy Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, everything else appears forced and unintentionally hilarious (read: Janta Rocks, Janta Talks). The movie’s only saving grace are the performances. Manoj Bajpayee stands out as the sleazy politician Balram Singh, who impresses you with his heinous cunningness and makes you laugh with his evil quirkiness. Megastar Bachchan as the virtuous, preachy teacher pulls off this role way better in Aarakshan. Devgn takes the third slot though his transitional role and doesn’t leave much of an impact.

Though borrowed heavily from real-life events, Satyagraha would have fared better if it had an element of fictional surprise instead of just being a ‘too good to be true’ tale of a nation against the government. Having said that, Satyagraha is yet another political film that is, nevertheless different from regular Bollywood rom-coms and aims to send a positive message.

VERDICT: The movie is based on positive intentions but that’s about it. If you enjoy socio-political movies and haven’t seen one in a while, this might be worth a watch. However, if you are looking for some thrills and chills, save your allowance for something better.

 Score: 2/5

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

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What makes a lawn ad effective? How important is model selection for lawn brands? Is complexion a factor?

The Express Tribune aims to explore the issue in an upcoming article. Please take the survey below to add to our findings.

Zeb’s first single in the movie, Mile Ajnabee, is composed by Shantanu Moitra, and the lyrics have been written by Bilal Sami. The next ‘big thing’, as some have referred to her, she, along with the band, is making her own identity. The Express Tribune spoke to Zeb about her newest venture.

“I am very happy that I got to record my first playback single with Shantanu Moitra, with whom I worked on the Dewarists,” she says. “You will hopefully see that I will have more Bollywood-related work in the coming months.”

She describes the shift to B-town as an exciting experience. “I was a bit apprehensive because it is such a big industry. However, I have so much respect for it as I grew up listening to this type of music,” she adds.

Zeb expresses an interest in doing music for Pakistani films, as she had been tabbed in the past to feature on the soundtrack of Shaan’s film Chup. “I would feel a lot of pride in doing work for a Pakistani film,” she says. “My dream would be to incorporate my music in Pakistani cinema, because the satisfaction you get working in your own industry, you don’t get working abroad,” she asserts, adding that  since the Pakistani film industry isn’t big, there is “honesty” in its work.

“There are a number of very good Pakistani films being produced, and Indian people are looking towards them as well due to this reason,” she adds.

Break-up – what break-up?

Since her cousin and other half of the band, Haniya Aslam decided to take a year off to study music production in Canada, the sight of Zeb treading alone is a surprise. Rumours began to surface that Zeb and Haniya had broken up. To clarify the band’s status and assure fans that they were still together, Zeb held a press meeting at the art café Nairang, in Lahore last weekend.

“You’ve probably never seen me alone, as my cousin Haniya is always with me,” she clarifies. “The last few weeks, there have been rumours that the band has broken up,” says Zeb, adding that they will continue to work together once Haniya returns.

She also said she looks forward to what Haniya will bring back. “Even though we have worked with some very good producers, we figured if one of us puts some effort towards learning production, our work could greatly improve, so we can create and bring out our own sound,” Zeb says.

“It’s important that everybody wishes her luck, because she may become the first female Pakistani producer in the country!”

Before Haniya left, the band completed several projects, including the collaborative album with Shantanu Moitra and Swanand Kirkire, which will be released next. The band has also composed and completed a number of Bollywood tracks, which have yet to be released. Their personal album is ready, but until a record company comes along, the band will not release it.

Zeb has left for the US, where she will spend the better part of the month collaborating with an American band. Also, for the next year, she will be touring, recording, collaborating and keeping the ethos of the band alive.

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

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Author of the highly popular book 50 Shades of Grey, EL James revealed the leads in the upcoming movie adaptation of her book via Twitter. Relatively low profile actors Dakota Johnson and Charlie Hunnam are set to play the roles of Anastasia Steele and Chrisitan Grey, respectively, according to Time magazine.

Neither actor has been seen in a lead role to date. Johnson has had minor acting experience in the Oscar-winner The Social Network, along with Channing Tatum’s 21 Jump Street. Hunnam currently plays Jax Teller on the FX series Sons of Anarchy.

There has been wide speculation over who would play the two most coveted roles in Hollywood. Actors Emma Watson, Shailene Woodley and Analeigh Tipton were all rumoured to play the female lead of Anastasia, an innocent college student who enters into a relationship with powerful businessman Christian Grey. Alleged actors for the role of Grey included Robert Pattinson, Armie Hammer and True Blood’s Alexander Skarsgard.

Johnson and Hunnam are most likely to sign on for all the films based on the three books in EL James’ series.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2013.

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It seems that the fashion world has taken a 360 degree turn and returned to humble beginnings – a hot graphic tee and a pair of jeans!

Socialites and celebrities have been spotted, time and again, wearing a variety of inspiring and funky graphic tees with coloured jeans and even leather pants.

Considering summer is a never-ending season in this part of the world, we totally understand the sudden inclination towards these light, airy and super comfy t-shirts.

Either wear them with spiked cuffs, skinny jeans and skull-topped clutches to look edgy and rocker chic, or pair them up with floral pumps and accessories to keep it simple and sweet.

Although graphic tees are mostly casual, informal fashion staples, if you match them up with a pair of dress pants and a blazer or even a waist coat, you are good to go! Graphic tees are definitely a must-have this season – they let you express your true personality and have fun with your fashion sensibilities.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2013.

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Booing followed the customary applause after a press screening of Under The Skin, a comeback for British director Jonathan Glazer, starring the Lost in Translation actor.

Described as “an undeniably ambitious but ultimately torpid and silly tale of an alien on the prowl” by trade magazine Variety, Under the Skin is one of the 20 new films that are in competition for a prestigious Golden Lion at the 70th annual festival.

Korean director Kim Ki-Duk screened Moebius outside the competition, which he won last year with Pieta, an absorbing thriller about a pitiless loan shark.

Under the Skin, which features Johansson as the alien Laura, was filmed in real-life settings, including a shopping centre and a street in a drizzly Scottish town surrounded by members of the public.

“People would take pictures of you with their camera-phone and not help you – all kinds of strange things,” Johansson said at a press conference.

Kim has made a redacted version of the film to be shown in Korea, where authorities wanted to protect people who have not reached psychological maturity, says a critic. PHOTO: FILE

This technique was an “important ingredient” in the film, said Glazer, known for the 2004 picture Birth.

Laura drives around in a white van, stopping to chat coyly with young men in a cut-glass English accent.

Her mysterious beauty prompts one of the men she meets to comment, in a strong Scottish accent, that she reverses the trope of the creepy male motorist picking up female hitchhikers.

“It didn’t bother me that the dialogue was indecipherable at times” as long as the characters’ intentions and behaviour were clear, Glazer said.

Few words

Kim’s tale of sex and pain, which starts with a woman cutting off her teenage son’s genitals, is punctuated with cries of agony, rage and arousal, but barely any dialogue.

The mutilated young man and his father experiment with masochism, and the son ends up developing a relationship with the father’s ex-mistress.

“While purporting to explore morality and mortality by tracking its male protagonists’ pursuit of sexual gratification, Moebius offers bizarrely cartoonish characters whose erratic behaviour brims on the hilarious,” said critic Clarence Tsui in trade magazine The Hollywood Reporter.

Kim has made a redacted version of the film to be shown in Korea, where authorities wanted to protect people who have not reached “psychological maturity”, he said at a news conference.

“The problem of censorship will have to be tackled in the future,” said Kim, whose film The Isle made two people faint when it was presented in Venice in 2000.

Kim said he is reproached for making violent films that seem to attack Korea.

“I criticise my country because I love my country. Loving my country doesn’t mean that I should stop raising questions or that I should close my eyes,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2013.

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Even amidst the anxiety and excitement of his latest movie Phata Poster Nihkla Hero (PPNH), Santoshi feels confident to set the fire to the sequel. Instead of waiting for the superstar Khans to get together, he is adamant on replacing them with a younger cast to work on the new contemporary storyline.

He discussed his plans with Shahid Kapoor, who in turn, was thrilled to carry on the legacy of his seniors, reports the Times of India. Santoshi feels confident about Shahid after seeing his comic turn in PPNH. For the parallel lead, he has made a careful selection, and is keen on roping in Ranbir Kapoor (they worked together earlier in Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani). Ranbir has been working on consecutive hits like Rock Star, Barfi and Yeh Jawaani Hai Dewaani. Santoshi hopes he proves to be as good in the sequel as well.

However, no official announcement has been made yet. When contacted, Santoshi said, “It’s very early for me to take the call on the actors. I am still in the process of putting together the script, so I wouldn’t like to comment on the casting of Andaz Apna Apna 2.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2013.

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The majority of Americans questioned in the 60 Minutes/Vanity Fair poll said they would die for their children, but fewer were prepared to give up their life for their country or religion.

35% of people said Princess Diana, who died in a car accident in Paris 16 years ago, is the celebrity they would pick to bring back to life, compared to 14% for Apple Inc co-founder Steve Jobs and 11% for pop stars Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston.

70% of men in the poll conducted among 1,005 adults said they would prefer their wives to outlive them, while 46% of women said they would want to die first.

When asked what they would be most willing to die for, 55%of people said their children, followed by 12% for their spouse, 10% for their parents or religion and 5% for their country.

Only 24% of people said they would opt for cryonic preservation, even if it were free, but the number rose to 39% among 18 to 34-year-olds. With cryonics, a body is preserved at low temperatures in the hope it can be revived and healed later.

A bar or a shopping mall was deemed the worst place to have one’s ashes spread and 84% of people said they would prefer their passing to be marked “with laughter, food and drink” rather than something more solemn.

The nationwide telephone poll, which will appear in the October issue of Vanity Fair, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. It was conducted from July 17 to 21. 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2013.

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The stylish and charming Corto may not be a household name but designing is in his blood. He is the son of Bottega Veneta founders, Laura and Vittorio Moltedo, and learnt the fundamentals of the craft from a young age during summers at the factory. Bottega Veneta was sold to the Gucci group in 2001 but Corto founded his own label in 2004, a label that reflects his own flamboyant and quirky personality.

Corto is a favourite of fashion savvy celebrities including Sonam Kapoor, Sienna Miller, Jade Jagger and Paris Hilton. A heady mix of bling, quality and style, Corto’s clutches are crafted in luxurious crocodile leather, goatskin, nappa (lambskin), suede or ostrich leather. For this trunk collection Corto chose to display mainly evening bags, keeping in mind the upcoming party and wedding seasons.

The trunk collection consisted of a selection of his Susan clutches, a staple of Corto’s brand – the canvas for huge variety of designs. At his boutiques in Paris and Milan, it is not unusual to see up to a hundred versions of the Susan on display.

There were two distinct classes of clutch in the collection. The Susan Shock is relatively minimalistic with four signature gold squares and was available in various interesting textures. The rest of the collection was gloriously blingy, perfect for pairing with either Eastern wedding wear or Western evening dresses. Inspired by everything from cityscapes to peacocks, the clutches make a bold style statement.

PHOTO: AYESHA MIR/EXPRESS

Corto describes his personality as southern rather than northern, warm rather than cool, sun rather than mountain. This very Italian description perfectly fits his vibrant expressive persona and explains why his designs are so different from the minimalist approach of his parents’ label, Bottega.

Corto is definitely a niche luxury label. Only the best materials are used and the quality is superb. A mere eight to 12 pieces are made of each design. The stock never goes on sale and isn’t stocked by any wholesalers or multi-brand stores. Only sold through private viewings and through Corto’s own website and boutiques, the brand is clearly aiming for exclusivity.

He has a clear idea of the type of woman he is designing for. “She is cosmopolitan and independent-minded. She’s a connoisseur and expects the highest quality. Vivacious and fashion-conscious, she prefers to set trends rather than following them,” he says.

Corto has taken his private viewings all over the world. He’s had trunk shows in Geneva, Dubai, Delhi, Jakarta, Singapore, China and all over the Middle East. It’s an interesting marketing technique and probably a smart one for a relatively young brand making its mark on luxury scene.

Pernia Qureshi who introduced Corto in India agrees, saying, “Corto makes some of my favourite clutches and his niche brand has developed quite a following in India. It takes time to introduce a new luxury label to a market, for customers to get used to the brand. It’s not a brand for everyone and so you cannot market it in the way you would market Louis Vuitton, for example.”

Pernia is stylist to stars such as Sonam Kapoor and has styled her in films like Aisha. She first met Corto through mutual friends, when Vogue asked her to host a dinner and a trunk show for him in Delhi. They’ve been friends ever since. Knowledgeable and chic, Pernia has a fantastic eye for fashion and her endorsement is highly prized.

At the viewing, she paired a purple Susan Shock with stunning Anamika Khanna Couture cape. Her mother Nasreen Qureshi chose an embellished clutch to complement her Dior Couture outfit.

Labels was a smart choice for the trunk show. Zahir Rahimtoola brought together a great selection of Karachi’s high society movers and shakers. This is the crowd that routinely carries Bottega, Alexander McQueen and the highly covetable Marchesa clutches. Corto’s eclectic clutches found some definite fans while others preferred the style of more renowned brands. Corto may not be for everyone, but he’s a designer who’s going places. Karachi’s luxury fashion elite enjoyed the chance to see him in their hometown – for a few short hours, Karachi seemed less of an international fashion backwater.

Oxford-grad Salima Feerasta is a social commentator and lover of style in any form or fashion. She blogs at karachista.com and tweets @karachista

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2013.

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