Model-actor Natasha Hussain attended Juggan Kazim’s pre-wedding dinner looking rather artificial. It seems Natty is extremely fascinated by Madame Tussauds wax museum which is why she chose to look just like one of the wax figures.

The charge sheet

Hair

While we love Natty’s long shiny hair, our suggestion is to add some volume to her crown.  A bit of teasing won’t hurt — it’ll take less time than the heavy make-up she has on. Sorry, no points for meaningless efforts.

Make-up

It seems like the model had a lot of time on her hands to put on so many layers of make-up. With dramatic smoky eyes, pale foundation and bright orange-red lipstick, Natasha failed to impress us. The worst part was that the lip shade was completely different from the red shade of her sari. Tsk, tsk, tsk!

Accessories

Thank you for not overdoing your accessories Natty! With the rest of her look being rather frightful, we wouldn’t have been able to handle an accessorising disaster. With a pair of earrings, she also put on a gold bracelet and a chunky ring.

Outfit

Somehow, Natasha made all the wrong choices that evening. The satin sari with the sleeveless blouse could have looked better, if the safety pin wasn’t showing on the pleated part. The actor’s “pallu” went over her shoulder carelessly, and she seemed least bothered to fix it. Sadly, her Bollywood-inspired look failed miserably!

Shoes

With an overall awful look, Natasha finally made us smile with her shoes. We’re happy she painted her toenails matching her outfit. We can also see that she is sporting a pair of open-toed silver and gold heels.

Coincidence?

Natasha was seen in this look at Juggan Kazim’s pre-wedding dinner on May 31. However, she was again seen in the same look on June 1 at the launch of Fatburger in Lahore. Natty must really like her look!

Bail out!

Raveena Tandon

Bollywood actor Raveena arrived at the 57th Idea Filmfare Awards on January 29, 2012, looking spectacular in her red sari. With her bright outfit colour, the actor knew just how much make-up to put on. We love her sense of style — we wish we could say the same for Natasha.

Katrina Kaif

Actor Katrina looked drop-dead gorgeous at the launch of Nakshatra Vivaah collection on April 9, 2010. With her teal jamawar blouse, bright red heavily embellished sari, Katrina kept her eyes simple and her lip colour dull. Natty, it’s time to learn from B-town beauties!

Rani Mukherjee

One of India’s favourite actors, Rani, arrived at the launch of Raga Crystals in a red hot sari. She shined in a sequined red lace-sari, with a sexy, strappy blouse. Again, this actor chose to wear light make-up with her bright ensemble. Two thumbs up for Rani’s grace!

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

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Available at the store are stitched, embroidered lawn kurtas priced under Rs5,000, silks within Rs10,000 and accessories starting from Rs1,250. PHOTO: PUBLICITY

From outfits to accessories, one can walk into this new retail heaven and walk out with a complete outfit in hand. With stitched, embroidered lawn kurtas priced under Rs5,000, silks within Rs10,000 and accessories starting from Rs1,250, SanaSafinaz high street is not only accessible but bang-on-trend.

“The SanaSafinaz brand has had a very busy year, from our participation in the country’s major fashion weeks to the launch of our flagship stores in Karachi and Lahore,” says Safinaz. “We are deeply humbled by the appreciation the brand has received and look forward to raising the bar for Pakistani fashion even higher. As with our Karachi store, our Lahore flagship outlet is a one-stop shopping destination and aims to provide our discerning customers an all-encompassing fashion experience.”

It seems like the brand is no longer selling clothes but is rather selling a lifestyle. Retail is not only where the growth of a brand lies, but it also legitimises the industry of fashion. As the responsibility increases, so does the level of accountability. “Between our formal couture line and unstitched lawn, there lies the biggest bracket in fashion that is still relatively untapped in Pakistan,” says Sana. “That is the bracket we are working on. Like any new venture, it’s a work in progress and SanaSafinaz high street will strive to cater to the needs of all its clients.”

Like any other retail outlet around the world, nothing in the store can be made to order. This still adds to the exclusivity of the product that even though it is available to the mass market, once a design finishes, that is the end of it. Speaking of lifestyle, Sana and Safinaz have personally decorated the store. The treasure chests overflowing with the brand’s products, not only add a luxurious touch to the store, but also add to its aesthetic appeal.

While the apparel is all made in house, the accessories are still being outsourced. “The next step would be to manufacture everything here but as of right now, we are placing orders for most of the accessories,” she adds. Located on the periphery of the Cavalry Bridge, the SanaSafinaz standalone is quite literally the newest sensation on the block.

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

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Juggan Kazim’s pre-wedding dinner, which was held last week at the X2 restaurant in Lahore for her close friends, was rather an uber-chic ramp show of the West with celebrities and socialites sporting vogue jumpsuits and ultra-swanky Western outfits.

There were a few hits and misses but regardless, our desi stylistas were all dressed to impress. Here we have six trendsetters who rocked the event and managed to score high on our style-o-metre.

Juggan Kazim

Popular TV show host, model and bride Juggan Kazim looked fresh and appealing in an ocean colour printed jumpsuit by Mango. Styled by the famous duo Maram and Aabroo, Juggan was gleaming with bridal glow. Although we love her youthful look, gorgeous curls and that million dollar smile, a little less print and slightly toned down make-up would have made her look bang-on!

Zara Peerzada

Model Zara Peerzada never fails to look stunning on the red carpet. However, we can’t help but notice a few flaws with this one. Casual blue jeans could have easily been avoided with a pair of classic black palazzos and we wouldn’t have minded a bit of extra volume on that flat hairdo. Nevertheless, we love the asymmetrical, scarf-inspired top and that beautiful shade of coral lipstick.

Iffat Rahim

Multi-talented former model Iffat Rahim looked super-classy in a very trendy white-on-white ensemble. With an elegant lace top matched with a pair of flowy white palazzos and classic pearl earrings, Iffat is simply too hot to handle.

Marium Saqib

Chic restaurateur Marium Saqib looked like a hot glam diva at the dinner wearing a bold and beautiful halter neck striped top and classic black cigarette pants. We just couldn’t take our eyes off her oh-so-sexy red hot heels. Marium, you have definitely got us drooling over your look!

Nooray Bhatti

Model Nooray dazzled in a chic colour block, black and white outfit. We love her two-toned top with a lace back and a touch of leather. Those pretty long locks, lovely make-up and smashing black strappy heels have put our style-o-metre on fire!

Sonia Humayun 

Socialite Sonia Humayun sizzled at the event wearing a pair of bright coral palazzos and a sophisticated off-white top. We love the coral detailing on the top and her choice of oh-so-voguish pearl accessories. Moreover, that side-swept bun is to die for. Two thumbs up to Sonia for pulling off such a stylish get-up!

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2013.

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Although summers are more about bright colours and fresh prints, celebrities and socialites are all determined to beat the heat with the hot and happening black!

While word has it that white is the new black, a monochrome black dress with daring fabrics, flowy silhouettes and oh-so-sexy designs is anything but safe. Be it our very own Safinaz Muneer in an East-cum-West black printed ensemble or Bollywod’s style icon Sonam Kapoor, in a structured black peplum top and pants, everybody seems to be flaunting the hottest hue of this season with pure elegance.

The upside of wearing black is that no matter how you wear it – sheer maxi, lace dress, tuxedo fit or an LBD – it is bound to make you look slim and totally cutting-edge. If you feel wearing black in such warm temperatures is a death call, pair it up with its new best friend – white. So, anybody who thinks that black is not fashion forward, is highly mistaken. If there is any specific time to make a strong statement by sporting a black outfit, it is now.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 7^th, 2013.                                                                                          

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KARACHI: Pakistan’s highly competitive fashion industry seems to be attracting more and more young and creative people without fear of failure. The most recent name added on to the designers list is Ayesha Hasan, who recently launched her spring/summer 2013 debut collection. Inspired by the Mogul era, Hasan exhibited her collection at her DHA residence, where celebrities and guests appreciated her aesthetic sense.

The neat display of Hasan’s formals and casuals seemed traditional and trendy — embellished with gota, zardozi, wasli, marrori and resham work. She infused block prints and screen prints in her collection, mostly in deep gold, and reiterated that they were inspired by Mogul designs.

While Hasan never refuses to make Western clothes, her real passion is to create Eastern wear. She takes immense pride in Eastern architecture, patterns and designs.

Being a recent graduate of American University of Sharjah with a business/marketing degree, Hasan has the tools to manage her position in the fashion world. She started her line over a year ago, offering prêt couture and bridal wear.

“Passion,” says Hasan, is what brought her confidently into the Pakistani fashion industry. While she talks about her love for creating intricate designs, she also comments on what drives her forward. “I love to paint and I love to colour designs.”

The designer shares that her inspirations have been Islamic arts, deep inlays of Mogul art and architecture. “My forte is Eastern clothes, though I make some Western wear too,” she continues. “Since my designs have a traditional touch, they get beautifully incorporated in Eastern wear.”

Her target market includes women of all ages — ranging from teenage girls and young brides to older women.

With two fashion weeks (FPW4 and FPW5) behind her, Hasan comments on her experience. “It [FPW] was lovely. I am thankful to the council [Fashion Pakistan Council] for making an effort and allowing young designers to participate,” says Hasan.

There were rumours in the air that her FPW5 collection was deeply inspired by Sania Maskatiya’s designs. She defends herself by saying, “My collections was based on a Moroccan theme, which has been greatly misunderstood by the press.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 7^th, 2013.                                                                                          

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JAKARTA: Protests from conservative Muslim groups in Indonesia led to Miss World organisers scrapping the bikini competition from this year’s pageant, CBS News reported.

Indonesia will host the 2013 Miss World competition in Bali and Jakarta in September.

Local organizer Adjie S Soeratmadjie said on Thursday that contestants will sport conservative beach sarongs instead of the skimpy bikinis that have been a fixture in the competition.

Soeratmadjie added that the Miss World Organization has agreed to comply with the request out of respect for Indonesian customs.

Oscar de la Renta Resort 2014

Oscar de la Renta characteristically showed off his finesse with lace and bead detailing but he put a spin on his usual delicate style with colourful florals imposed onto grey tartan pantsuits and peplum waists. The result was brilliantly becoming a marriage between office grey and blood red. The doily lace skirt suits, with flared out tops and bubble dresses, all denoted a positive vibe and the matching printed shoes were a tempting trend albeit hard to implement.

Gucci Resort 2014

Gucci turned to disco glam, taking metallic and shiny fabrics to create baggy jumpsuits that was also a common thread between other collections showcased for Resort Wear. The focus has shifted to a somewhat sports luxe feel to the clothes. Everything was baggy including the print-on-print extreme high-waisted trousers. A sheer chiffon printed jumpsuit with a knotted tie in front, looked like it used to be a dress but had recently been given legs. It was a bit of quirky fun to break free of limitations.

Michael Kors Resort 2014

Michael Kors made a comeback to bold and logical colour blocking with basic black and earth tones. The blocks were severe and restricted to neutrals. We are fond of the striking nature of his design philosophy and the juxtaposition of solids that followed print in the same colour palette was an interesting feature of the theme-based collection.

Burberry Prorsum Resort 2014

Burberry continued to draw on lace but rather than using sheath dresses and trench coats shown at their RTW 2013 collection, the label tried to infuse a sporty element to the fabric by adding a stretch texture and pairing them as pencil skirts with a casual knit top and peep-toe booties. The designs in the spandex lace were an intricate feature and the statement bow tie backs of the dresses and tops, a cute touch.

Donna Karan Resort 2014

Donna Karan’s pieces flowed like poetry in motion and the common feature was a downward pointed yet soft natural silhouette that seemed to find its own path. A few of the pieces resembled the sari drape while the round gold sequins in others, gave the form a beautiful ethnic feel that floored us instantly. The basic polka and striped sarong skirt was another feature we loved and it reminded us of the ‘lacha’ traditional Punjabi silhouette used by Sania Maskatiya in her Ahghaaz Collection showcase at PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week (PSFW) 2013. From that, Donna Karan switched to an angular monochrome striped dress with net inserts which was cut like a dream.

Christian Dior Resort 2014

Dior ran with the simple concept of neon electric solids starkly contrasted with airy pastels and sheers and turned it into a work of art. There was something so distinctively pleasing to the eye about the ‘opposites attract’ version of colours playing into the separates; it proved that the best ideas are really under your nose the whole time. Rather than harmony, this was more of a chaotic effect as feminine lace was fought by sporty, loud, and rigid streaks that had pushed their way in but the finished product worked seamlessly.

BCBG Resort 2014, Tory Burch Resort 2014

Apart from ODLR, floral fury was epically romanticised by BCBG and Tory Burch. BCBG’s take involved pristine white silhouettes laced with composed flower prints. The biker jacket with a studded collar, was ingeniously softened with the floral pattern sleeves to displace the harshness with more feminine day time elements. Tory Burch went a little bit brighter and more in tune with the Boho feel that can be traced to her aesthetic. We especially love the chinoiserie-feel to the cropped trousers once again displaying print-on-print.

Chanel Resort 2014

Karl Lagerfeld opted for a mash-up of concepts for Chanel Resort wear, fitting punk hair and make-up with generous ladylike pearls instead of metal, and to top it off, cricket sweater vests. Heavy thick eye liner and spiked hair met ’50s wide-legged trousers and pencil skirts. It was a fun and liberating collective touching on a bit of everything as a woman on vacation would, and putting an interesting spin on it.

Do you think Pakistan is ready to add Resort Wear to our list of fashion weeks yet? Maybe not, but presenting to a select group of critics and buyers on a small scale, the way these Resort Collections were shown, might be an interesting idea to point the industry in the right direction.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2013.                                                                                          

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Bollywood actor Kalki Koechlin really needs to believe in the title of her movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara before she steps out with a hideous look again. The French descendant, who started her career with Dev D in 2009, was recently seen at the premiere of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani with an outfit unbearable to our eyes. Here’s what she got wrong:

The charge sheet

Hair

With so many fun hair-dos in season, who goes for flat and crimped hair? Kalki made the wrong decision. While we understand the need to flaunt the natural look, she should have styled her hair neatly.

Make-up

We love Kalki’s beautiful and flawless skin. With dull colours though, she should have opted for a brighter lip shade. We also wish Kalki brought out her eyes with a dark and thick liner.

Accessories

Kalki didn’t wear any jewelry. With an oversized outfit and hardly any make-up, Kalki could have added some jazz with fun and colourful accessories.

Outfit

Yawn! Who did she borrow this big and outdated short suit from? Being in a highly competitive, industry which relies heavily on beauty and style, we wonder why she hasn’t consulted a stylist yet. Sorry Kalki, this has to be one of the worst summer outfits we’ve seen in a while.

Shoes

Are those men’s shoes? Forget the outfit, Kalki’s oxford shoes take the trophy for ugly footwear. The worn-out brown men’s office shoes were the wrong choice. We can’t decide what we hate more — her outfit or those hideous shoes?

Bail out!

Amanda Seyfried

Actor-model Amanda Seyfried knew she looked hot at the UK premiere of her movie, In Time. The 25-year-old showed off on the red carpet in her H&M bright blue suit. We love the black formal heels matching her inner blouse.

Gwyneth Paltrow

The actor made her entrance at the world premiere of Iron Man 2 in 2010 in an elegant cream short suit. We love her black peep-toe boots with her self-embossed outfit. She gets full points for her charcoal eye-shades.

Eva Longoria

Longoria pulled off a sexy look while promoting her cookbook in 2011. She stepped out in her all blue short suit with peep-toe heels that matched perfectly. We love her hair slicked back and her dramatic eyes.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2013.                                                                                          

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Singer song-writer Gwen Stefani is known for her outrageous yet tasteful sense in fashion. The No Doubt diva is also the owner of a couture line L.A.M.B which features clothes that are inspired by both Japanese and Jamaican styles. The clothing line has been worn by the likes of Teri Hatcher, Nicole Kidman and Stefani herself.

Stefani is one of the leading ladies in the world of fashion in Hollywood, and we understand that fashionistas like to experiment. However, not to this extent! She was seen in this horrendous pair of pants made out of trash bags!

Stefani was spotted wearing what appeared to be garbage bags for pants, which looked like they still had waste in them, at The Bling Ring LA Premiere, reports eonline.com.

Stefani deserves points for pairing her ugly pants with a cute white halter top and a pair of strappy sandals. As for the pants, they need to GO!

Published in The Express Tribune, June 9^th, 2013.

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Thanks to the brutal invasiveness of the internet, we are able to know every celebrity secret that is out there. Though I feel that poking our noses into a singer or actor’s personal life is vile, I do however, enjoy having an all-access pass to people’s style evolutions.

This week, I thought I would use one such journey to demonstrate the mistakes we have all made on our path to stylish enlightenment. I have selected Jennifer Lopez because a) she looks a little desi, b) she has always had a brilliant set of bones and c) she doesn’t appear to have had any plastic surgery. It looks to me like her transformation has been brought about by good make-up and proper styling. Here is what we can learn from her early mistakes and later triumphs. Does anything look familiar? 

Finding your look

1. A very sweet looking, young Jennifer ­— she looks beautiful with all her glorious assets clearly visible. But an overly-defined, dark and lip-linered pout is taking the emphasis away from an alluringly angled eye shape and cheekbone. The lip colour ages her and brings out the darker hues in her skin, pigmenting the skin around the mouth and under the inexplicably ignored eyes.

2. A classic lesson in everything that was wrong with the late ‘90s. Overly-plucked brows, muddy-coloured, one tone make-up and a ghastly dark lip liner and gloss combination leave a very young Jennifer looking ancient and washed-out. And a little like she has been eating paan!

3. Here, we start to see the beginnings of the successful hallmarks of the Jlo look, though she looks far from what we are used to. While the contouring and highlighting of her mouth, nose and lip areas are decidedly much more successful, the decision to under play her glorious cheekbones and the fantastic angle of the underneath of her eyes leaves her still largely unrecognisable.

4. By this point, we can at last recognise the face that we have come to know, largely because the cheekbones have at long last been emphasised, as have her eyes, from both above and below. The lack of contouring on her nose, the lack of false lashes or mascara, the overly plucked brows (not to mention the comically bad tonging of her hair) leave her a few key steps away from the look that is just within reach.

5. And here, we are at long last — the glowy, girl next door, clean Jlo look.  The softer brows, softer hair, all over glow and strong contouring bring the look home. But she didn’t stop there. Once she was done with the movie roles that cast her as the girl next door, or the maid, Ms Lopez decided to open the door to glamour.

6. All of the hallmarks of the Lopez look are maintained and then amped up even further. The contouring of the face is a lesson in the art; the very sharp, luminous highlights of the cheekbone and inner V of her eye, make her skin look younger than it did in her earlier pictures. The false lashes and eye make-up (both above and below) show off to perfection the divine angle and shape of the eyes, perfectly framed by the softer brows. A splash of peach on the lips and on the apples of the cheek, balance the beige and grey of the eye creating a look that brings out the best in her face.

7. Demonstrating just how important the underneath of the eye is to a shape like Ms Lopez’s, this look manages to make her look positively doe-eyed. To modernise this smokey look, strong luminous white inner V highlights on the eyes have been added. The contouring is, as always, key (as is the nude lip and strong, but soft brow).

8. Following the adage that one feature must be worked on at a time and not both, here we see Jennifer with a bold and beautiful red lip and a neutral eye. However, some epic individual lashes have been added, above and below, to give the eyes some serious oomph. A strong but soft brow, clean, glowing highlights and some truly heavenly, warm, sun kissed contouring completes this fabulous look.

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, June 9^th, 2013.

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KARACHI: Major changes are afoot at Labels, the pioneer of fashion retailing in Pakistan. Along with Ensemble and Pakistan Fashion Design Council (PFDC), Labels is still one of the premier multi-brand retailers in the country.

However, the fashion retail landscape in Pakistan is changing fast. Increasingly, top designers are choosing to open their own outlets. Meanwhile, any shop that can cobble together a handful of half-baked designers is calling itself a multi-brand store these days. Labels needed to differentiate itself from those run-of-the-mill stores with their cramped racks and poorly edited content. Ever the innovator, CEO Zahir Rahimtoola is masterminding nothing less than a revolution at Labels.

Labels is moving away from the traditional multi-brand store concept towards more exclusive territory. It is shifting mainly to the boutique-within-a-boutique concept of luxury retail along the lines of Selfridges or Harvey Nichols, though of course on a smaller scale. Top tier designers including, Sania Maskatiya, Nida Azwer, Elan by Khadija Shah and Zara Shahjahan, are already on board. Other reputed upcoming designers such as Tena Durrani and Shamsha Hashwani will also have a store within the store at the revamped Labels. Rahimtoola is in talks with other senior designers along the same lines. Each label will have large areas laid out for them and will stock between 75 and 100 outfits on average.

Rather than stocking a large number of designers of various calibres, Labels is choosing to focus on quality. In the near future, Labels will be a destination where customers will be able to browse extensive collections from some of the country’s best designers. So does this mean that there will be no space at the store for smaller labels? Nothing of the sort according to Rahimtoola, as he says, “We are fortunate to have large retail spaces. Hence, we are working on a multi-concept model whereby we will have a ‘store within store’ and independent racking options as well as an area for new talent.”

“As we evolve, we will continue to remain a one-stop store providing casual clothing, luxury-wear and bridal options,” he adds.

Rahimtoola confirms that though they are editing their designer base, they will continue to support designers who have performed consistently at Labels in terms of sales and inventory. They are also taking their own brand to the next level. They will presently launch new collections by in-house designer Mahrukh Jamote for the forthcoming season.

Not content with innovation on the ground, Labels is also taking ebusiness to a new level. The Labels estore was ground-breaking, in that, it was the first to officially offer luxury brands like Sania Maskatiya online. Their professional layout and obvious retail expertise immediately attracted customers. From day one, Labels aggressively promoted the e-business model and worked with bloggers to promote fashion blogging and the online presence of Pakistani fashion in general. Their subsequent collaboration with Style360 has propelled them to even greater heights. Mashables and TechInAsia recently rated the Style360 Labels estore as one of the best ecommerce businesses in Pakistan.

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing though. Labels accepts Paypal and all major credit cards, but Pakistan’s lack of systems for processing payments is an issue they had to work around. There are also other challenges. “One of the biggest problems faced by online businesses in Pakistan is that there is hardly any standardisation of sizes and specs and most designers work on an ad-hoc basis, as opposed to creating seasonal collections,” Rahimtoola continues. “Therefore, there’s a continuous need to upload inventory which is very labour-intensive”

Nevertheless, the Style360 Labels estore is a huge success. They currently offer a wider range of top designers than any other estore. Furthermore, Rahimtoola scored a coup when he made the Fashion Pakistan Week Collections available online, straight off the ramp.

Contrary to popular belief, they have a significant clientele in Pakistan, as well as abroad. The Style360 Labels estore is the only place to buy designers like Shehla Chatoor who are otherwise only available by appointment at their exclusive showrooms. Moreover, customers from all over Pakistan can shop online with the convenience of paying cash on delivery. Add to that, the customisation and alteration service that the estore offers and it’s easy to understand why it has become so popular both locally and overseas.

Labels was the first fashion retailer in Pakistan and it’s plain to see that it is adapting very well to the changing retail climate in Pakistan. The Style360 Labels estore continues to break new ground on the ecommerce front. Meanwhile, reinvention of Labels on the store-within-a-store concept will help ensure that Labels remains one of the leading designer fashion retailers in Pakistan.

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

Published in The Express Tribune, June 9^th, 2013.

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If Sarah Jessica Parker can do it, so can we. That is what women tell themselves when it comes to high heels. But Parker quietly shelved her Jimmy Choos and Manolo Blahniks after she developed an extra bone in her foot from constantly wearing heels. She now says they mangled her feet.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr Abdul Haseeb Qureshi explains that the trouble starts when you mess with the natural distribution of weight on your feet by wearing high heels. “Your forefoot and the heel are [then] not on an equal level which is important to transfer equal pressure from both legs onto the spine” he says.

As a result, too much pressure is put on the front of the foot, possibly leading to severe ankle, knee and spine sprains, as high heels throw off kilter the alignment of your hips, shoulders, back and spine.

Prolonged wear also leads to the formation of a painful bump at the back of the heel bone. “This is called a calcaneal spur, or heel spur,” says Qureshi. “It is common in European countries where women often wear high heels.”

Experts also warn that wearing high heels with narrow toes can thicken the nerves, as a result of which you can develop a lump on the underside of your foot.

In the long term, women who wear high heels will find their calf muscles become more rigid. “Since the calf muscles in your legs aren’t strong enough, they naturally contract when you wear high heels,” says Qureshi. They actually become shorter over time so when you do wear flats it is painful.

And while you may think that high heels flatter your silhouette, be prepared to suffer from calluses, corns and blisters when the heels throw your weight on to the ball of your foot.

Ironically, the kolhapuri chappal and khussa are not much better for your foot.

“Flat shoes don’t give you enough support,” says physical therapist Dr Usman Ghani, who has worked with the Pakistan cricket team. “Khussas have no arch support; they’re merely ‘cosmetic’ chappals that should not be worn when you’re on your feet for a long period of time.”

The lack of arch support and an inappropriately hard sole are the main causes of foot pain in the metatarsal area, the area just before the toes, explains Dr Ghani. “When you raise your heels, the toes go into extension mode and so the sole of the shoe needs to be flexible to allow this extension.”

Along with high heels, perfectly flat shoes also cause heel pain and tighten calf muscles. “This is commonly known as plantar fasciitis. It is essentially an irritation of the plantar fascia tissue, which runs along the bottom of the foot, connecting the heel to the arch,” says Dr Ghani. Thus doctors recommend that in many cases, two-inch heels can be healthier for your feet than flats.

Pregnant women are advised not to wear flats during their first trimester. Ballet pumps and flip flops are unsuitable for daily wear in pregnancy as they don’t provide your feet the necessary support. “During pregnancy it is preferable [for women] to wear low-heeled, comfortable shoes to tone up your back muscles,” explains Qureshi. They are ideal to wear till the time your baby bump starts exerting pressure on your back.

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, June 9^th, 2013.

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Designer Amna Kardar was spotted at the opening of Fatburger in Lahore looking stylish and stunning as ever. Here is a breakdown of what she wore at the event:

Hair

We love her neat, sleek blow-dried hair that she has swept on one shoulder. To achieve this look, use an untangling serum before blow dry.

Make-up

Amna’s kohl-rimmed eyes look uber chic with that smoky make-up done on the eyelid. Line your eyes with Color Studio’s Knock Out Marker Precision eyeliner (Rs550) and then add Rimmel’s Glam Eyes quad 04 eyeshades to get these hot smoky eyes. Accentuate your cheekbone with The Body Shop’s All-in-One blusher ginger (Rs1,800) and wear Mac’s Laugh A Lot (Rs1,700) for a pink pout like hers.

Outfit

Amna is wearing a structured black and white gown by KARMA PINK’s Gatsby collection showcased at the PSFW’13.

Accessories

We love how she chose the right accessories to pair her outfit with. Those pearl studs and silver big dial watch look sizzling. For accessories, check out racks at Sentiments (under Rs1,000).

Shoes

Although we can’t see her shoes, but pairing a pair of black pointed heels will surely get you the attention you deserve!

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2013.                                                                                        

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ISLAMABAD: Karma has arrived in the capital with the launch of its first standalone concept store, housing all its sub-brands under one roof.

One of the brands, Karma Pink, had an outlet in Blue Area, but closed in 2010. Karma’s design director Maheen Kardar Ali said the business, over a span of time, had expanded and new names had come under its umbrella. Ali said the 14 year old store now caters to different consumer needs from women to girls of all age brackets. “We have clothes for children, bridals, casuals and formals, so for us it is a necessity to have our own store and stock all our things under one roof, rather than stocking them independently,” she added.

Ali said the store has a special bridal studio established for clients who previously had to come to Lahore to place wedding orders. Moreover, she said she will be travelling more often to the capital now for consultations and appointments.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Ali said they were proud to return to the capital and were well aware of the market’s needs. About the taste of the capital, she said “We have to play with the hues keeping in mind the cities and understanding the market is essential for any business to flourish”. In a comparison, she said that Islamabad had a more refined taste than Lahore and Karachi. “Lahore can overdo the colours, Karachi is more monochromatic, whereas Islooites are not as afraid of color but at the same time they are more into their subtle shades,” highlighted Ali, adding that “I see a lot of black and white in Islamabad”.

Ali said she will be targeting the capital’s diplomatic community, whose needs were not well-addressed earlier. Moreover, she was of the view that the capital also feeds Rawalpindi and Peshawar, both of which are significant markets for any designer.

Rezz Aly Shah, a public relations manager, said established designers from Lahore and Karachi were making their mark in the capital now, because they see it as an emerging market.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2013.

LOS ANGELES: German supermodel Heidi Klum, who has strutted from the runway to entrepreneur and reality TV host, will now try her hand as a judge on television competition show, America’s Got Talent.

Klum, 40, nicknamed “The Body” for her statuesque figure, has carved a career beyond modeling, as the host of Lifetime’s fashion series Project Runway and Germany’s Next Top Model.

For America’s Got Talent, the model stepped out of her role as fashion expert for the first time, to sit alongside former Spice Girl Mel B, comedian Howie Mandel and radio host Howard Stern on the judging panel for the show’s eighth season.

Klum, who has her own fashion empire with jewellery, clothing and fragrances, spoke about her transition from a model to entrepreneur and major television player in the United States and Germany.

What is it like to be in your first non-fashion role?

I think [producers] look at me as a judge that has traveled a lot for 20 years. I have climbed from the bottom up through many different maneuvers … and I think that’s why they wanted me there. I don’t think they want me there for fashion. I look at contestants for their talent and not the way they’re dressed. That’s what I do on Project Runway.

In what kind of role do you see yourself as a judge?

I look at it as a woman, as a mom, someone who has seen a lot of shows. I think about, “Hey, is this an act that is interesting? Is this something that I want to see again? Did that excite me? Would my children love to watch this?”

Do you have any specific criteria you are looking for?

I love people that surprise me, that show me things I haven’t seen before.

What made you interested in doing a show like this?

I never saw myself as a judge on the show because I was judging on my couch at home and that was it. And when they called me I was like, “Oh my gosh, what a fun gig that would be.”

Does it remind you of auditions starting out as a model?

No, not really. When you model, people don’t really care so much of what you have to say. It’s about your look and they look at your face and your body.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2013.                                                                                        

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KARACHI: Has the mirror made you regret the coarse white strands of hair falling down your shoulders? Have you found yourself glaring at a rack of beautiful boxes of mesmerising shades of hair dye as a result? This is probably the case with most women as the appearance of grey hair means you are one step closer to being an old lady and possibly nearing “the end of your life”.

This notion can be traced down to our culture in which age is considered unacceptable. This is the prime reason why women of all age groups have been lured into the practice of hair-dying.

“It is unfortunate that grey hair is deemed socially unacceptable in our culture, even for the slightly older women. And what is worse is that it may remain so forever,” says Dr Nosheeba Salman, a dermatologist, about the hegemonic societal pressures prevalent in our society. What’s important to note here is that everything comes with a price and so does beauty. But in this case, you might just end up giving your life away.

There have been numerous cases in the past where women have fallen prey to the deadly toxins present in hair dyes. P-Phenylenediamine, more popularly known as PPD, is one of the elements found in these boxes of colour, which have proven to be fatal.

What is PPD?

PPD is an organic compound found in practically all hair dyes. It fixes onto the hair permanently in order to give a more natural look. But what many people are unaware of is that PPD is also known as coal tar dye (petroleum), and is widely used in rubber chemicals, printing, photocopying, textile dyes and even gasoline. Scary thought? Because PPD is used in several harmful techniques, it comes as a surprise that the chemical is being overtly applied on humans, through hair dyes as well as dark-coloured make-up.

Skin specialist Najjia Ashraf reveals that there are barely any dyes that don’t contain this toxin; even the ones who claim they don’t, are not being honest. “Big brands often escape the blame by suggesting they are ammonia-free. However, ammonia and PPD are two very different things and PPD is present in nearly every dye because it is what gives off the colour,” she explains.

With an urge to win the race of innovation and differentiation, companies are increasingly using a variety of chemicals in their products — some without even testing. Dr Ashraf says the human body fights on numerous battlegrounds at once and is bound to lose the war on at least one — lack of immunity and allergic reactions, specifically.

What are the alternatives?

As fate might have it, the devil stands unbeatable. Despite continuous research, alternatives to PPD have not been discovered. But fortunately, there are a few ways to prevent allergic reactions and possibly death.

Redah Misbah, beauty expert at Depilex, stresses that the age-old technique of a patch test is the simplest way of preventing an allergic reaction, but even popular salons tend to ignore it. “You basically mix a drop of hydrogen peroxide and a very small amount of dye and apply it on a small patch at the back of the client’s ear,” she says, adding that the patch is then monitored for redness, inflammation and itchiness for 24 to 48 hours.

Another alternative is the use of henna. But the drawback is that henna does not offer a variety of colours. Instead, it gives a very deep orange colour which is deemed rather un-cool and tacky.

It is understandable how young women don’t want white or grey hair but the elderly should let nature takes its course. Marina Khan, Maheen Khan and Meryl Streep are perfect representations of how salt-and-pepper hair looks just as elegant as coloured hair. So next time you stop by the nearest store to pick up a box of hair dye, know that it might just be a little more than you bargained for.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2013.                                                                                        

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Bollywood actors Ileana D’Cruz and Dia Mirza were spotted at the launch of a new range of an anti-dandruff shampoo brand and Lonely Planet Travel Awards, respectively. Both the actors looked classy and ladylike.

Here is the breakdown of their looks:

Dia Mirza

Hair & Make-up

Former Miss Asia-Pacific was literally shining on the red carpet. We loved her dewy, fresh skin. She rouged her cheeks with baby pink blusher and wore a glossy pink lip colour. Dia’s dark eyeliner complemented her shiny eyes well. Her hair, though a bit messy, looked really cool and summery. Dia scores brownie points for her perfectly manicured nails with that coral shade — so bang-on-trend!

Clothes

Dia wore a beige lace short dress which accentuated her sleek figure. We love how the dress made this 31-year-old look 10 years younger than her age.

Accessories & Shoes

A beige box clutch and matching patent pumps provided finishing touches to her ensemble. It was a clever decision of keeping it simple and elegant! The only accessory she sported was a silver bracelet clasped around that beautiful wrist.

Ileana D’Cruz

Hair & Make-up

We love the blow dry which works amazingly for her beautiful, shiny hair. Her centre-parted hair, with loose curls at the end, does wonders for her endorsement of a shampoo brand. Her bronze make-up complements her look well — carefully lined eyes, a golden tan and a glossy lip. However, a bright red pout would have added oomph to her look.

Clothes

The Barfi! diva looked smoking hot in that black evening gown with a long slit baring her toned leg

Accessories & Shoes

Ileana went for the classic black-and-gold look, pairing all gold accessories with her stark black outfit. A chunky gold necklace, couple of bracelets and a ring looked fabulous. Her matching golden shoes looked uber chic. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11^th, 2013.

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KARACHI: “Be elegant and classy, but conservative [at the same time],” says designer Deepak Perwani. This is what we’ve learnt from our favourite lawyer Harvey Spector from Suits and White Collar’s con-man Neal Caffrey — the better you look, the more confident you are.

When you’re at work, all eyes are on you, especially when your job requires regular one-on-ones with clients. The first impression you make, may just be the last. So next time you are getting dressed for work on a lazy morning, make sure you dress to impress!

Men are no longer oblivious to styles and trends — they know what a fashion faux pas is and what is en vogue. How you dress at work is important. It shows who you are; it leaves an imprint on your co-workers’ minds as well as your clients’. It boosts your self-esteem. Try wearing a pair of pyjamas to work one day and a crisp suit the next, feel the difference in your attitude and confidence yourself.

If you look good (and clean), your chances of sealing the deal with a client or nailing an important interview, will be drastically amplified.

Formal versus informal 

The environment of the workplace and what is part of the dress code is an important variable when getting dressed for work. Some places prefer suits and ties, while others aren’t so restrictive. Note: being informal doesn’t mean we don’t brush our hair or iron our clothes and being formal doesn’t mean wearing a tuxedo and being over-the-top. “You don’t want to intimidate your client by looking [much] better than them,” says Perwani. Finding a middle ground is key.

If formal attire is required at the workplace, then a custom-tailored suit is probably the best option; experiment with the colour and style as you please. Black and blue suits are the most common. Take bold risks and try out different coloured button-down shirts to wear inside — white, blue and black aren’t the only colours out there! Pick out slim ties — if you can pull them off — or plaid ones and add that extra oomph to your look. “Contrast your choice by mixing in some black with white, red and blue,” says Perwani. If you are slightly chubby, then slim ties aren’t for you — pastel or plaid ties look great with solid-coloured shirts.

Shoes are an important aspect of your overall look. “Wear a pair of closed leather shoes — without laces are preferable with a pair of funky [don’t go overboard with the funk] socks,” adds designer Munib Nawaz. “I don’t know why people still prefer shoes with laces — they’re so inconvenient!” For some accessories, mix your ensemble up with a tie pin or a solid big dial watch.

If it’s an informal look that  you plan to achieve, then we’re looking at a whole bunch of whacky options. “You can still look good when you’re dressed casually,” adds Nawaz. “Flip flops are good for casual Fridays as long as you pair them up with a good pair of chinos and a polo.” Let’s avoid pyjamas, baggy cargo pants and a shirt you’ve slept in last night — looking dirty is not casual and it certainly isn’t professional.

If your job requires that you run around a lot, then jeans are always the best choice — skinnies or slim-cut. A safer shoe option would be a pair of loafers or even a pair of trendy sneakers.

The colour of your shirt matters. “For summer, focus on wearing light shades — not too neutral, though,” says Nawaz. “Bring your attention towards pastel shades. Light shades of green are also back in form, even purple.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11^th, 2013.

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We love Suzanne Roshan. We felt that she was one of the prettiest and most sophisticated star wives, until … we saw this picture! Mrs Hrithik Roshan was spotted wearing what appears to be a summer gown of sorts at the launch of Home Proud on June 19.

The charge sheet

Hair

That hairdo just depresses us. Suzanne has long and shiny hair, we’d give her that. But it looks so flat here! A little bit of volume or a funky hairdo would have gained her some points in this category.

Make-up

We will give her brownie points for her make-up. It’s subtle and simple. Her make-up is the only thing that goes well with the rest of her ensemble; the shade of lipstick and eyeliner go perfectly with her skin tone, hence making it her only saving grace.

Accessories

We get it. Feather earrings are in these days. However, that does not mean you pair them up with every piece of your clothing! Suzanne’s big white feather earrings look very out of place along with that big dial golden watch [which we love by the way], but just not with this outfit. Unfortunately, the diva has no sense of pairing the right accessories with the right kind of outfit.

Outfit

OK. What is that? Did Suzanne just walk out of a Holi celebration? Or a paintball fight? We fail to understand! This silk semi-coloured summer gown is just not working for us. Also, that hideous scarf-like belt around her waist feels really out of place!

Shoes

Did Suzanne just walk out of a middle school or off the tennis court? Though her outfit is a fashion suicide on every level, if she would’ve paired it up with a decent pair of flats, she would be safer on the fashion disaster scale. However, these school sneakers are just plain weird.

Bail out!

Kate Middleton

The Duchess of Cambridge sizzles in this ash white evening gown. The beauty pairs the gown up perfectly with that diamanté-studded belt and golden clutch. Her hair and make-up looks flawless and her minimal accessories make her stand out.

Kirsten Stewart

The Twilight star looks hip in this rocker chic look. Her white top and patterned yellow skirt is the perfect look for the summer. Her messy hair is the best accessory paired with a simple gold necklace. And how can we forget those sneakers? Stewart manages to pull those black high top sneakers perfectly with swagger and confidence.

Natalie Portman

The Black Swan diva sparkles in this baby pink lace evening dress. Her hair has the right amount of volume and her outfit is paired perfectly with a black clutch and beige heels.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12^th, 2013.                                                                                        

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LAHORE: Nine West is a brand that needs no introduction. Since its inception 34 years ago, the high street shoe store has become a household name. Its first outlet opened in Pakistan last year in Karachi and now, its second outlet is open for business. June 10 witnessed Nine West open its doors to Lahore’s illustrious market in Gulberg at Mall 94.

“We are very happy and overwhelmed with the response we are getting from our Karachi outlet. This has encouraged us to expand Nine West outlets and cater to the demanding market of Lahore,” says Aysha Ahmed, CEO Burj Capital. “The appreciation and applause we received during FPW [Fashion Pakistan Week] was astounding and I am pleased to announce that Lahore will soon be followed by some other major cities of the country.”

Models showcased the brand’s latest collection at the store launch. PHOTO: SHAFIQ MALIK/EXPRESS

Along with their entire range of shoes in the Middle East market, the new outlet also houses handbags, clutches and small leather goods. “This is a sub-franchise from Nine West Dubai,” says Asif Karim, Partner Nine West. “The styles and tastes differ in the Middle East from that in the US and hence, we are staying attuned to our market.” The price range is between Rs6,000 and Rs10,000, the same as they are priced in Dubai.

“This is the best market in Lahore,” continues Karim. “Women enjoy spending money on themselves and shoes are a commodity utilised by everyone. A woman wearing a burqa will also indulge in shoes.”

The launch also featured a special fashion presentation which showcased the latest collection from Nine West stores. The model line-up included Faiza Ansari, Sonia Nazir, Zillay, Dania, Anam, Kiran Butt, Sanam, Samoa Shah, Kiran Khan and Faiza Chaudhry.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12^th, 2013.                                                                                        

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