The most exciting thing about cosmetic brand Veet’s ceremony this year is that the platform also hosted an awards segment, while it was previously limited to a modeling contest and fashion show.
With an event held at the Expo Center on Saturday night, Veet paid homage to beauty and femininity with a pink carpet replete with candles and flowers. Unlike many big events, the pink carpet was well-managed in terms of celeb-spotting, crowd management and refreshments. Trays laden with sumptuous cupcakes, tarts, open sandwiches and soda were passed around for guests to feast on while they mingled with bloggers, models and celebs. The downside, however, was time management. When will event organsisers realise that punctuality needs to be respected? The pink carpet, which was scheduled to start at 6:30, opened at around 8:00pm. Furthermore, the show started at about 10:40pm and went on past midnight.
Hosting and performances
With a number of outfit changes, the lovely Aamina Sheikh hosted the show with Azfar Rehman. It is interesting to see how Aamina has become the poster girl for various brands and projects. With film ventures such as Seedlings, Josh and My Punjabi Love for You already under her belt, she was also the face of Lux this year. We are not complaining – this beauty is unrivalled in her killer combo of talent, sophistication and charm. During the event, the hosts kept the audience entertained with constant comedy. Jokes ran along the theme of beauty, with mentions of men using these products. In some light-hearted moments, the presenters didn’t spare their event sponsor, as puns centered on hair removal.
The LED light performance was enthralling and different. A tribute was then paid to legendary actor and singer Madam Noor Jehan by Mehwish Hayat, who performed the song Mehki Hawain dressed as a peacock, which would be best described as different. As the night wore on, Zoe Viccaji performed two Nazia Hassan numbers, App Jaisa Koi and Disco Deewane. But the two acts that had the audience raving were Ali Azmat’s performance of Neeli Neeli Aankhon and Dil Mera Bolay and Sara Loren’s closing performance Teri Jhokhi Nazr and Kajra, Kajra was enchanting.
Fashion showcase
The capsule collections of designers Elan, Sadaf Malaterre, Ali Xeeshan and Sana Safinaz were a mix of prêt, luxury prêt and bridal wear.
With some pieces from last year’s bridal week, the Vintage Era by Elan showcased an Eastern bridal wear collection. Playing with an array of colours such as grey and copper, there was also excessive use of gold and silver wire work, along with jamawaar. The collection consisted of everything from dhaka pajamas to jamawaars, with the beautiful Zeba Bakhtiar as showstopper.
Paying homage to the flamboyance of the 1970s, Retro was presented by Sadaf Malaterre, with Sana as the showstopper. Inspired by Western cuts, the collection toyed excessively with black and white. From striped black and white tops and black shimmery bottoms, to black and white polka dot shirts, the collection was loud. The sequined black and white tops were standouts, but the jumpsuit-inspired cuts with frilly collars were unappealing.
Ali Xeeshan Theater Studio presented Pop, experimenting heavily with black and gold for Western cuts. With a Balmain 2012 feel (much like Aamna Aqeel’s FPW5 collection), the over-the-top collection tried hard to make a style statement. Gold skirts, tops with lace and gold details and skirts with black and white digital prints were dominant features, and Nadia Hussain was show stopper.
Sana Safinaz’s Eclectic collection was again inspired by Western cuts. In black and white, giant floral prints ruled the ramp. The collection experimented with high-low hemlines, peek-a-boo sleeves and belted dresses in monochrome. Award-winner Humaima Malick was also showstopper.
Beauty Awards
A total of eight beauty awards were presented, and the winners are:-
Most Beautiful Smile Award: Syra Yousuf
Most Promising Model of the Year: Saima Azhar
Best Posture Award: Nadia Ali
Miss Catwalk: Amna Ilyas
Most Beautiful Skin: Ayyan
Miss Photogenic: Aamina Sheikh
Miss Elegance: Mahnoor Baloch
Beauty of the Year: Humaima Malick
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2013.
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