‘Tilism’: Woven Treasures of the Magical East

BLOGG BY : IRFAN-UL-HAQ
EVENTS BY : LOTUS PR

The coveted House ofSania Maskatiya is set to debut an exclusive bridal collection titled,‘Tilism - Woven Treasures of the Magical East’ at the prestigious PFDC L'Oréal Paris Bridal Week 2013, as the finale show of day 1.Showcasing a bridal and trousseau collection for the first time on the ramp, ‘Tilism’ by Sania Maskatiya draws inspiration from the ancient and enduring romance with the East, the home of the rising Sun, where an absolute beauty has long resided in the subtlest details and the grandest designs.Indeed ‘Tilism’has been crafted to evoke precisely this quality, drawing uponthe grandeur of times bygone.

Combining centuries old embroidery techniques with highly sophisticated fabrics for which the Sania Maskatiya label is renowned, ‘Tilism’ endeavours to remember and respect Indo-Pak craft traditions, many of which are now nearly extinct. Staying true to the brands’ signature aesthetic of contrasting materials and patterns, ‘Tilism’ presents a host of playful separates, engaging both traditional as well as contemporary embroideries, from the intricate threadwork of zardosi, marori, tilla, and aari, to the shimmering texture of gota and kamdani.. The collection features a range of silhouettes, from lehngas and cropped pants, to cholis, capes and jackets.

Hot off the ramp, Tilism will be available to view and order with designer Sania Maskatiya herself, on Friday 11^th October, from 11am - 6pm and on Saturday 12^th October from 11am - 4 pmat the Sania Maskatiya flagship store on MM Alam road in Lahore. Further, thebrands’ festive Eid collection will also be available in store in Lahore as of Friday 11^th October with the Sania Maskatiya design team present to help with styling advice and outfit choices.

Speaking about her brands’ bridal debut on the ramp,creative design head Sania Maskatiya said: ““Our entire team is excited to be showcasing a bridal collection for the first at the PFDC L'Oréal Paris Bridal Week platform. With Tilism, which means magic or enchantment, we have created a collection which works to revive dying craft techniques within the subcontinent and that celebrates the richness of the Eastern heritage in its embroideries, silhouettes and diversity of colours.”

The team at Sania Maskatiya is led by creative design head Sania Maskatiya and Umair Tabani,Business Partner andDirector. Since its inception in 2010, the Sania Maskatiya label has grown to encompass 3 stores; 2 of which are located in prime shopping locations in Karachi and 1 in Lahore. Most recently, the brand showcasedpret a porter collections‘Hanza-Autumn’ at the TDAP Expo,‘Ahgaaz’ at PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week and ‘Naqsh’ at Fashion Pakistan Week 5 as well as debutedtheir brand‘Sapphire Lawn by Sania Maskatiya’ in 2013.www.facebook.com/SaniaMaskatiya

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Fashion Central Multi-Brand Store launch

BLOGG : IRAFN -UL-HAQ
EVENTS BY : LOTUS PR

Fashion Central, Pakistan’s leading fashion portal, launched its first multi-brand store on 26^th September 2013 at Fortune Mall, Hussain Chowk,M.M. Alam Road, Lahore. The new store is a purpose-built facility spread over an area of 3,300 square feet andis initially stocking the creations of 31women’s wear designers, 4 men’s wear designers and 5 jewelry designers. In an effort to promote emerging talent, the new storealso features a dedicated space for the work of exemplary students from the Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design, a first for any multi-brand store.

The exclusive evening featured prominent cricketers, musicians, fashion designers, esteemed members of the press and media personalities. This was followed by a lucky draw where guests were given a chance to win outfits from designers stocking at the new outlet. The evening further featured a live mannequin display where models wore outfits from participating designers.

 The evening was well-attended and featured fashion industry stalwarts and media personalities including national team cricketers Ahmed Shehzad, Nasir Jamshed, Imran Nazir, Abdur Rehman; musicians Fariha Pervezand Noman Javed; models Alyzeh Gabol, Fia and Natasha; TV personality Huma Amir Shah; fashion entrepreneurs Zahra Raza & Sadaf Raza; fashion designers Ashraf Feerasta Daredia of Pink Chiffon, Waleed Zaman of Kayseria, Rana Noman, Sammy K, Uzma Sheraz, Shireen Lakdawala, Hajra Hayat, Huma Taj and Sara Salman.

In addition to the new outlet, Fashion Central will also belaunching an e-store from Tuesday, 1^st October to complement their on-ground services. The new online service will facilitate global orders and deliveries, providing clothing at the same prices locally available in Pakistan to international destinations.Fashion Central aspires to create a platform where patrons are provided a fully immersive shopping experience, from keeping fashion enthusiasts abreast of the latest designers and trends in the fashion industry through the brand’s popular online fashion portal www.fashioncentral.pk, to providing patrons the option to buy outfits from those same designers conveniently through their online e-store, the brand aims to provide a one-stop-shopfor all diverse fashion needs.

“We pride ourselves on being at the forefront of international and local fashion, constantly keeping our patrons up-to-date on what’s trending and what’s in vogue in the realm of designer wear and apparel. The world of fashion design, by its sheer glamour and grace, has always been exciting and fascinating, and as the scope of Pakistani fashion expands, Fashion Central aspires to grow along with it. Through the launch of our new multi-label store and our e-store services, we envision our unique platform becoming a hub that caters to the needs of every fashion consumer, no matter how unique or diverse in demands. We also aim to support new and upcoming talent with a dedicated space for them to showcase their creations. We have ambitious plans for the future and hope our loyal patrons will be with us every step of the way.” said Shoaeb Shams, CEO of the Fashion Central Group.

The new store is stocking a broad selection of clothing from a diverse range of brands including designer labels from Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and India. Afsheen Mehboob, Aisha Imran, Annoushay & Fatima, Ayesha Elahi, Ayesha-Somaya, Banni’ D, Blend, Buckle Up, Dhaagay by Madiha, Emran Rajput, Ethnic by Farhat, Fahad Hussayn, Hajra Hayat, Hira Omair, Huma Taj Couture, Imbias, Madiha Ibrar, Maria Khan, MBM, Mirat Ul Uroos, Monica Paracha, Munib Nawaz, Nabeel & Aqeel, Nayna, Pink Chiffon, Ruby Bhandari, Sammy K, Sana Barry, Sanam Agha, Sara Salman, Shibori, Shireen Lakdawala, Sughi’s & Uzma Sheraz, Yadou and Zainab Fawad. The store will also be stocking the latest creations from PIFD’s top graduates. In addition to this, latest shoe range from Chic and jewelry pieces by brands such as AIMS Couture, Ayesha Qadeer, Diamond Emitations, Iquera and Midas are also a huge attraction for jewelryenthusiasts. 

Femme by Lala with Exclusive Shawls

BLOGG BY : IRFAN UL HAQ
EVENTS BY : LOTUS PR

Renowned textile houseLala Textiles has launched its new winter collection titled La Femme by Lala. Inspired by the people, embroideries and graphical tribal prints of Pakistan’sNorthern Frontier, the collection includes exclusive digital printed shawls, introduced for the first time and outfits created from fabrics such as wool, slub, satin silk and organza. La Femme features 8 unique print designs which are each available in two distinct colour ways.In keeping with the brand’s previous collections, La Femme consists of various add-ons such as organza motifs, neck slubs, panels, patches, silk bunches, printed trousers, embroidered organza lace, embroidered slub sleeves, embroidered garas, printed border slubs, printed panels, digital and woolen shawls,providing every consumer a distinct outfit to match their individual style profile. La Femme by Lala will be available at all leading stockists from Friday, 4th October 2013 onwards.

COKE STUDIO SEASON 6

Blogg by : IRFAN-UL-HAQ
Events by : LOTUS PR & EVENT MANAGEMENT

General Manager, Rizwan U. Khan, Coca-Cola Pakistan and GM CCBPL, John Seward, recognizing the efforts of Dr.Tawaab and Mrs Tawaab Founders of Rising Sun Education and Welfare Society (recipients of Sitara-e-Imtiaz) to provide education and training facilities to special children at the Coke Studio Season 6 Launch

Coca-Cola Pakistan proudly announced the return of the nations’ most anticipated music platform, Coke Studio, at an acclaimed press conference where as sixth season of exciting talent, diverse musical influences and dynamic performances will be aired October 2013.

This years' Coke Studio voyage will witness a fusion of Eastern, Western and regionally inspired music for which the platform has come to be renowned. However, this  season goes deeper in its journey, exploring the international heritage of popular local music genres, tracing these global influences that have left an indelible impact on Pakistan's national and cultural musical identity. To that end, Coke Studio's cross-genre Pakistani musical talent will be joined by international musicians trained in both contemporary and traditional instrumentation.

TRUE LOVE BY :Zara Shahjahan

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EVENTS BY : LOTUS

This will be the first time that Zara Shahjahan will be participating in the prestigious bridal fashion platformas a solo designer.

The collection draws inspiration from the modern woman who remains close to her sub-continental ethnic roots. The outfits have been designed on a variety of fabrics, including pure silks and nets that have been interspersed with unique embellishments, such as sequins and crystals, to highlight the traditional and contemporary touch in the sought-after modern-day fashion. The showcase is set to be a performance of art that will commence with outfits featuring floral prints before moving onto the bridal creations that consist of gold infused with dark colours. The coveted Zara Shahjahan bridal ensembleswill demonstrate femininity, elegance, and beauty.

Speaking about her participation at PFDC L’Oréal Paris Bridal Week, Zara Shahjahan said, “Undoubtedly, one of the most stressful decisions anybride-to-be makes before her marriage is when choosing the perfect wedding dress. We at Zara Shahjahanendeavor to make the lives of future brides a whole lot easier through our new range of bridal ensembles titled ‘True Love’. The collection features a diverse range of bridaloutfits for the traditional eastern bride interpreted for the modern era. Our expert craftsmanship and meticulous detail ensure that the bride is always the centre of attention and lookstheir very best on their wedding day.We anticipate that the collection will be well-received and appreciated by our patrons and peers alike.”

A classic Zara Shahjahan look is simple, beautiful and always in vogue. Her design philosophy is to make clothes relating to a feeling – a feeling, which is an ode of individuality, femininity and sophistication. Zara Shahjahan is a graduate from the National College of Arts and has built a niche clientele that understands and has the ability to appreciate design and pattern making. With a background in miniature painting, she is Pakistan’s first designer who has the expertise to make her own motifs. Zara Shahjahan'sprêt-à-porterline is now available in all the major cities of Pakistan. The recent presence of the label in Dubai has established a new standard of understated elegance: easy fit garments, precisely cut and immaculately tailored. And now, with her expansion into the mass market with COCO, a high-street brand democratizing luxury, 

Saving Face” picks up Emmys for Best Documentary and Outstanding Editing

Blogg by : IRFAN-UL-HAQ

Academy Award winning Pakistani film “Saving Face” has been awarded 2 prestigious Emmy Awards for Best Documentary and Outstanding Editing: Documentary and Long Form at the 34^th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards. This marks the second Emmy win for the film’s director Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, who previously received the accolade in the Current Affairs category for the documentary “Children of the Taliban”.

The award distribution ceremony of the 34^th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards was held on Tuesday, 1^st October at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, located in the Time Warner Center in New York City. The film’s Oscar winning directors Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy and Daniel Junge along with cameraman Asad Faruqi represented the Saving Face team at the event. Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy chose to wear an ensemble by Sania Maskatiya and a popinjay handbag by Saba Gill at the auspicious occasion. The event was attended by more than 1,000 television and news media industry executives, news and documentary producers and journalists.

Speaking about the Emmy win, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy said, “I would like to dedicate this Award to my late father, the man who served as my mentor and taught me to never take no for an answer, a motto that continues to guide my career today. I would also like to thank the team behind Saving Face for their hard work and continued efforts in raising awareness; I hope the film continues to help bring this issue to the forefront and serves to start dialogue and action.”

 “The award recognition is an honor for us filmmakers, we hope that the film continues to reach as many people as possible because spreading awareness and starting the right sorts of conversations has always been the core goal behind the film” said Daniel Junge.

Saving Face had been nominated for five Emmy Awards in total including, Best Documentary, Outstanding Arts and Culture Programming, Outstanding Research, Outstanding Cinematography: Documentary and Long Form and Outstanding Editing: Documentary and Long Form.

The Emmy win is further recognition for Saving Face, a documentary which has already achieved significant acclaim from the international film and arts community through several awards including the eminent Academy Award (Oscar), IDA Documentary Award, Juliane-Bartel Award, Germany, Abu Dhabi Film Festival Audience Choice Award, New York Indian Film Festival “Best Documentary Film” and the SAARC Film Award for “Best Documentary”.

Saving Face chronicles the work of acclaimed British Pakistani plastic surgeon, Dr Mohammad Jawad as he travelled to Pakistan and performed reconstructive surgery on survivors of acid violence. Acid violence, an extreme form of physical abuse, is systemically underreported in Pakistan; official figures state that 150 cases of acid violence are filed every year, though it is estimated that the actual figure is far greater. Saving Face is an account of such violence told by survivors through their personal journeys of endurance, recovery and reconciliation. The observational documentary was filmed entirely in Pakistan, primarily in the Seraiki belt in addition to Rawalpindi, Karachi and Islamabad.

For more information, visit: http://www.facebook.com/socfilms

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Credits:

HBO Documentary Films                                                                   
Saving Face
Executive Producer
     Sheila Nevins
Supervising Producer
     Lisa Heller
Producers
     Davis Coombe, Alison Greenberg, Sabiha Sumar
Director / Producers
     Daniel Junge, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy

Researchers
     Daniel Junge, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy

Camera

     Asad Faruqi, Aaron Kopp, Daniel Junge, Martina Radwan

Editors
     Davis Coombe, Hemal Trivedi

Fiore Forma’s latest collection launch

Blogg by : IRFAN-UL-HAQ
EVENTS : CATALYST

, Fiore Forma presents its latest collection “The Holiday” on September 29, 2013 at the Commune Artist Colony, Karachi.

Fiore Forma was conceptualized in 2012 by Zunaira Khalid who studied fashion design in Toronto, Canada and worked in the North American fashion industry for +6 years with high-end designer labels such as Pink Tartan and Tevrow+Chase. Having their collections housed at premium retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s, celebrity clientele included Natalie Portman, Oprah Winfrey, Gwen Stefani and Kate Hudson amongst others. - Fiore Forma stands as a testament to an eclectic fusion of Eastern and Western wear.

Fiore Forma’s latest collection is one of its kind, the Hamptons meets the Angarkha for a rendezvous. Tan jodhpurs and streamlined slacks team pleated dresses adorned with organic appliqués all basking under “The Holiday” sun. Pearl embellished silhouettes, crochet trimmed cottons’ and fringe lined hems mark some of the many airy contours constituting Fiore Forma’s “The Holiday” collection. Kimono and raglan cuts with tailored overlays highlight the essence of pure comfort and elegance. Relaxed, versatile, sharp - a minimalistic approach to day-to-dinner dressing.