The House of Kamiar Rokni

blogg by : IRFAN UL HAQ
Events by : Lotus Client Management & Public Relations

The House of Kamiar Rokni has collaborated with renowned jeweler Reama Malik of GOLD who has created exclusive jewelry for the collection. The Orientalist will be available for custom order at The House of Kamiar Rokni studio, immediately following its runway debut.

Each Orientalist creation draws from traditional, regional and global embellishments and silhouettes bringing them together to form a bridal signature from The House of Kamiar Rokni.  Expect cuts that vary in length, volume and diversity, fabrics that are sheer with diaphanous textures that compliment otherwise bold forms, silhouettes that integrate layering with variations in the sleeve and structured jackets, all of which work together to reinvent the classic bride for the modern era. The collection celebrates fabrics created from regionally indigenous textiles and to that end is based in a selection of hand-woven silks, organzas, jamavars, chiffons and nets, in an eclectic mix of vibrant colours for which The House of Kamiar Rokni has come to be renown.  Complementing the collection is a range of bespoke jewellery pieces created by Reama Malik and her brand GOLD based in the traditional craft of ‘Polki” and “Meenakari” including necklaces, jhoomars and tikkas Indeed GOLD is renowned for their one of a kind bespoke jewelry where each piece is meticulously hand crafted in Reama Malik’s workshops.

Speaking about their collection from PFDC L’Oreal Paris designer Kamiar Rokni, Tia Noon and Rehan Bashir said “The Orientalist is a manifestation and interpretation both of our shared seraiki heritage and diverse backgrounds. Tia's unique mix of Punjabi, Tajik, English and Memon traditions present themselves in this collection, while Kamiar's warrior Rajput and rich Persian heritage blends delicately with Rehan's Kashmiri influences to introduce a collection that exults in intricate craftsmanship, detail, colour and an aesthetic that is both uncompromising in its classicism and unwavering in its quality."

The 3 pillars of the House of Kamiar Rokni; Kamiar Rokni, Tia Noon and Rehan Bashir are the powerhouses behind the premier designer label. They hail from quintessentially aristocratic families that are symbolic of an old world charm and traditional heritage. The trio’s diverse backgrounds shines through the label’s clothing representing a seamless amalgamation of a combined history and cultural diversity that the three have inherited. The brand strives to provide an immaculate essence of style in all their creations, designing signature one of a 

The 3 pillars of the House of Kamiar Rokni; Kamiar Rokni, Tia Noon and Rehan Bashir are the powerhouses behind the premier designer label. They hail from quintessentially aristocratic families that are symbolic of an old world charm and traditional heritage. The trio’s diverse backgrounds shines through the label’s clothing representing a seamless amalgamation of a combined history and cultural diversity that the three have inherited. The brand strives to provide an immaculate essence of style in all their creations, designing signature one of a

kind pieces that evoke a sense of individuality and elegance in the people that wear them. The Houses’ core philosophy is to embrace art, culture and imagination in their fashion. The luxury label’s prêt-à-porter and Haute

Couture collections have consistently hit the runways in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore in Pakistan to critical acclaim. Internationally, the fashion house has showcased in Paris at the Prêt-à-porter Feminine and at Mauritius Fashion Week. The label has had the much coveted honour of having been nominated for the Lux Style Awards consistently since 2008 in the Best Prêt Wear and Best Couture Designer categories respectively and won the Lux Style Award in 2012 for Luxury Prêt. The House was also awarded the first ever Libas Heritage Award at the PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week for their inspired approach of turning traditional craft into contemporary fashion. This is the first time the label will be showcasing their bridal couture at the prestigious PFDC L’Oreal Paris Bridal Week platform.

Google marks 15th birthday

blogg by : irfan ul haq

Google is celebrating its 15th birthday with an interactive doodle based on a Mexican piñata.

The doodle comes in the form of a basic video game that challenges the user to release as many virtual sweets as possible by thwacking a star-shaped piñata with a stick.

The doodle forms part of the celebration for Google’s 15th birthday, which has also seen the search engine create ‘Google in 1998’ – a fascinating look at how the website looked in its launch year.

Originally called BackRub and based in a Menlo Park garage, Google was founded by PHD students Larry Page and Sergey Brin as part of a research project.

It has since grown into the world’s most visited website, making its founders multi-billionaires.

The actual date of Google’s birthday has long been a topic of debate, with a number of analysts saying a more accurate birthday would be September 7 – the date the website may have been incorporated, or September 15 – the date the domain name Google.com is believed to have been first registered.

The reason for Google celebrating its birthday on 27 September appears to stem from an argument the search engine had with Yahoo in 2005 over their respective size and growth rate.

Following an announcement by Yahoo that it’s indexing was larger than Google’s, software engineer Anna Patterson hurriedly posted a message on the search engine’s blog revealing Google had subsequently expanded its own index by 1,000 times.

In the message she also announced, as part of a “birthday” overhaul, Google would be dropping the index counter from its frontpage.

Pakistan’s biggest reality singing competition “Pakistan Idol”

Blogg by : IRFAN-UL-HAQ
Events by: Catalyst

Pakistan’s biggest reality singing competition “Pakistan Idol” has already made ripples in the music industry of the Country. The show popularity is climbing to new heights on the social media sites. The first round of auditions attracted a huge crowd in Islamabad and Peshawar, all determined and confident to become the first Pakistan Idol. After auditioning great talent and some interesting characters in Islamabad and Peshawar, team Idol next destination was “The Manchester of Pakistan”, Faisalabad. The city which has produced legends like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat Fareh Ali Khan, Zia Mohyeddin and many more gave its best to Pakistan Idol and it was a tough day for Team Idol. In the hot weather of 40 degrees, Faisalabad gave an amazing response and a lot of hype and craze was seen among the contestants. We wish them good luck in their journey to Pakistan Idol.

The journey of Pakistan Idol has just started but it has already taken over Pakistan. So far we have seen many interesting characters in Islamabad, Peshawar & Faisalabad auditions, full of energy and confidence to impress the judges but it is hard to say which city will produce the first “Pakistan Idol”. After auditioning Faisalabad, Team Idol is headed for other cities, so don’t miss your chance and register yourself if you have the confidence and voice to become the first “Pakistan Idol” and Watch this space for more stories on Pakistan’s biggest singing reality show.

4thLADIESFUND® Entrepreneurship Conference(LEC 2013)

 BLOGG BY : IRFAN-UL-HAQ

LADIESFUND Brings the World to Pakistan

Karachi 21^stSeptember 2013- DawoodGlobal Foundation(DGF),the Higher Education Commission, French Consulate, German Consulate, Indonesian Consulate, British Deputy High Commission, Turkish Consulate, Honorary Moroccan consulate andOzygin University Turkey, came together to hold the 4^thLADIESFUND® Entrepreneurship Conference (LEC 2013) on Saturday, September 21st, 2012 from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm at Marriott Marquee, Karachi, Pakistan.  LEC 2013was a milestone event for Pakistan that attracted well over 600 VIPs, women entrepreneurs, male and female students, dignitaries, international delegates and mediawho gathered to hear the inside scoop to success from people who have innovated and changed their industries. 

This year’s theme was “Game Changers," and the event featured speakers from Turkey, France, Germany, Indonesia, UK and Switzerland, as well as the best of local entrepreneurship. Sherry Rehman gave the Keynote address, former UK First Lady Cherie Blair sent a special video message saying she has fond memories of her visit to Pakistan and wishes to come again, pop star Zoe Viccaji sang the National Anthem along with her band. The jam-packed day was filled with cutting-edge panels, interactive workshops, educational presentations, theatre performance by Nida Butt, Yoga Stretch Break by Jeanette Faruqueand Indonesian cultural dance by Indonesian delegates.  The event was a fundraiser for women empowerment in Pakistan and in particular vocational scholarships for grassroots girls for media studies at the Institute of Journalism as part of the LADIESFUNDEducate a 1000 Girls Programme.

There were three panels; How to Start, Pitching for Finance and Global Game Changers. The first panel, How to Start, consisted of Nida Butt, Muriel de Saint Saveur (France), MasarratMisbah and was moderated by Rohan Malik (UK). The second panel, Pitching for Finance, had Cherie Faiella (Switzerland) and MasoodLohar as panelistswithZeenatSaeed Ahmedas moderator. The third panel, Global Game Changers, included Dr. Diana Kisro-Warnecke (Germany), Indri Bachitiar (Indonesia) and ImgeSabanci (Turkey) as panelists and was moderated by ShahrukhHasan.The Speakers includedAmeenaSaiyid, YasinParacha, HasnainRazaLaddubhai whose sessions were moderated by British Deputy High Commissioner John Tucknott,MD Gillette Saad Khan and MD HOM MoidulHasan respectively. Amin Hashwani gave a presentation on Business Beyond Borders and Kamal Faridi gave an educational presentation on Social Media Obama 2012 Campaign in which he shared his experience.KhushbakhtShujat was Special Guest.

Atlas Asset Management surprisedZeenatSaeed Ahmed with trophy in appreciation of her journey as a woman entrepreneur who is a role model for other women.

LADIESFUND International Fellowship to China was presented to AlinaMakhani by Deputy Chinese Consul General Pan Qingjiang with a special video message from Alina who is in China.  One of the LADISFUND Bachelors Scholarships at Iqra University were presented as were as 10 LADIESFUND Vocational Scholarships to grassroots girls for studies at Institute of Journalism.  Nazneen Tariq Khan and ShanazRamzi, donors of LADIESFUND Vocational Scholarships, were on hand to meet the winners, while Dawood Global Foundation presented the cheques.

There were stalls from sponsors including IBEX-a TRG Company, Meezan Asset Management Ltd., Indonesian Consulate, Atlas Asset Management and M.S. Collections and the first tea break was sponsored by AKD Securities.  There was also a special OPI nail bar for relaxation and a social media stall by Creative Chaos.

LADIESFUND® Student Ambassadors from 10 universities across Pakistan ensure a diverse and gung ho crowd.

LEC 2013 is organized by Dawood Global Foundation in partnership with the Higher Education Commission, French, German, Indonesian, British and Honorary Moroccan consulates.

Sponsors:

Habib Oil Mills (Workshop), Khushhalibank (Gold), Bronze (GSK, Pioneer Cement, WEN), Stall (IBEX Global – TRG, Meezan Asset Management Ltd., Thardeep, Atlas Asset Management, M.S. Collections), Educational (IU, IoJ), Legacy (Triumph, Taneez, NAFA & arena) & Fan Art (Monsoon, Accessorize), AKD Securities (Tea Sponsor)

Partners:

Media (CityFM89, rozee.pk, 22-FOUR &Rehan Schools), Set (Le MosaqueElan), Airline (Cathay Pacific), Beauty (Shamain), Nomination (APWA), Food (14^th Street Pizza, The Cakery), Tea (AKD Securities), Water (Ab-E-Hayat), Music (EMI), Style (EllemintPret), Photo (Culligan), Jewellery (Heavenly Regalia), Ticket (Blue-Ex) and Logistics (Creative Chaos).

Supporters:

Polly & Me, L’Oreal, Body Focus Museum, Café Aylanto, Neelos, Nadia Rehan, SNL, Aisha Alam, Bombay Sweets, Sumbul, Ami’s, OPI, Garnier, Craft Company, JADE, Sumbul, Debenhams, SNL, Phenomena, Aisha Alam, Nadia Rehan, INSAM, Tapulicious, Okra, NEXT, XPOSE, Amethyst by Roohi, Lala Textiles, Mothercare, SaniaMaskatiya, CTL360, Wondermilk, Syed Basit Photography, Peter Thomas Roth, Sana Salman, Ayesha-Somaya, Lotus PR & Client Relations & Ideas PR.

T U Dawood Hair & Make-Up for Press Conference:  ShamainFaruque

T U Dawood Wardrobe for Press Conference:  Sofia NaveedLari for EllemintPret

T U Dawood Stylist for Press Conference: Afreen Shiraz

Special Thank You to the Media:

We especially thank the media for their constant friendship and support for our 4th LADIESFUND® Entrepreneurship Conference and to change entrepreneurship as we know it in Pakistan. Such entrepreneurs will not improve their own lives, but this change will start a cycle of changes that will change the community and our beloved Pakistan. You can help bring this change by constantly supporting us, without your support this change will not be possible.

LADIESFUND® Summary

 

LADIESFUND is a vehicle through which Dawood Global Foundation (the parent organization) gives back to the community and supports the upliftment of Pakistan women with activities such as LADIESFUND® Women’s Awards, LADIESFUND® Entrepreneurship Conferences, LADIESFUND® Women of Influence Luncheon Series, LADIESFUND® Internships, LADIESFUND® mentorships and LADIESFUND® Magazine. DGF is renowned internationally for its community projects and charitable work including its partnerships with initiatives such a SOS Children’s Villages, BABYFUND® Flood Relief campaign, LADIESFUND® Fellowships/Scholarships, Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and Google, The Citizens Foundation, etc. 

We now have approximately 12,000 women and youth in our network and our motto is Inspire-Connect-Educate.   Our mission is to connect Pakistani women professionals and entrepreneurs to each other and the best of local/national/international resources and opportunities; educate them on best business and entrepreneur practices; and inspire them with success stories and heroes.   Our annual September conferences (LEC) attract well over 600 people including Pakistani women entrepreneurs and 400 male and female University students from 10 different Universities and our recent 5^th LADIESFUND Women's Awards celebrated Pakistani icons including MalalaYousufzai.

We currently have 120 local and international partners working with us and our main goal for 2014 is to work toward educating 1000 girls as well as

LADIESFUND® Ethos:

• Celebrating phenomenal women
• Supporting women with high potential
• Highlighting positivity in Pakistan
• Promoting advancement of women in Pakistan

LADIESFUND® Advisory Council:

Amir Adnan, ByramAvari, Dr. Ishrat Husain, GhalibNishtar, Khalid Mirza, KhushBakhtShujat, NasreenJalil, SaadAmanullah Khan, Shafqat Sultana &Sultana Siddiqui.

LADIESFUND® milestones include:
- LADIESFUND® Women's Awards

- LADIESFUND® Entrepreneurship Conferences

- LADIESFUND® Women of Influence Luncheons

- LADIESFUND® Magazine

- LADIESFUND® Internships

- LADIESFUND® Nominations for AllWorld Network’s Pk100 and Arabia500

- LADIESFUND® Nominations for Cherie Blair Foundation for Women’s Women in Business Mentoring Programme

- LADIESFUND® Scholarships

- LADIESFUND® Fellowships

- LADIESFUND® E-daily newspaper: http://paper.li/LADIESFUND/pakistani-women-power-list

- LADIESFUND® Educate a 1000 Girls Programme

LEC 2013 Credit

LEC 2013 CreditsLEC 2013 Credits

       LEC 2013 Credits        LEC 2013 Credits

ZINDA BHAG PREMIERE

BLOGG BY : IRFAN UL HAQ
EVENTS BY : QYT

Zinda Bhaag, a comedy thriller with debut performances by non-actors and featuring one of India’s finest actors Naseeruddin Shah, premiered at Super cinema Shabistan in Lahore.

The Pakistani Academy Selection Committee has selected “Zinda Bhaag” as the first Pakistani film in over 50 years to be submitted for Oscar consideration in the Foreign Language Film Award category at the 86th Academy Awards.

Pakistani film “Zinda Bhaag” shot in the culturally-rich city of Lahore, the film would appeal to the average cinemagoer for its originality and aesthetic. Anyone familiar with the crude Punjabi dialect would identify with the dry wit and humour that makes for much of the dialogue.

The script follows three friends who dream of moving abroad but are inextricably bound to the country in spite of the best-laid plans. Naseeruddin Shah is a powerhouse actor and is just flawless in a character of an area don, which has been written with him in mind.

‘Zinda Bhaag’ also boasts one of the best film soundtracks to come out from Pakistan in the recent times and if the movie was marketed properly; this album would already have been a massive hit.

Brining the most awaited Red Carpet Premiere of Zinda Bhaag, Exist and Cinnabon called a star studded premiere of the film Zinda Bhaag.

Torrent of celebrities, media personalities, socialites and fashionistas attending the premiere included fashion designer Maria B, HSY, Nin, host Ayesha Sana, fashion model and actress Amna Ilyas, Fia, Xille Huma, star of drama serial “Meri Zaat Zara-e-Bainishan” Samea Mumtaz , Yousaf Salah-u-din and many others.

Farhan & Ambreen Collection NOW in pakistan

blogg by : irfan ul haq

Farhan & Ambreen Collection at Pakistan Fashion Extravaganza was a beautiful range of eastern outfits infused with eye catching blue and green shades.

The romantic aura created by Farhan & Ambreen Collection bewitched fashionistas with beautiful dress cuts and blend of colors. Being inspired by Grand Prismatic Spring, the luxury pret and semi bridal dresses were adorned with cutwork embroidery, golden embellishments, silver, green, black, electric blue and orange. The use of fabrics of jamavar, chiffon, silk and velvet added more elegance and glamor in Farhan & Ambreen Collection. 

The makeup of Pakistani super models and international models from UK exhibiting Farhan & Ambreen Collection at Pakistan Fashion Extravaganza London 2013 was done by Rizwana Khan. The choreography of the show was done by Zaf Shabbir and organized by Ali Malik of Vision Events International.

Amna Kardar was the host at Pakistan Fashion Extravaganza London 2013