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Bridal Couture Week SpeCial

environment

trendS

intervieW

Read about the highs and lows of Bridal Couture Week 2011

Read about the art of waste collection and recycling through the eyes of Nighat Latif

See what trends dawned during the Bridal Couture Week 2011

The woman that dared to think different and also pioneered in her vision -in conversation with Sultana Siddique

inside this weekOctOber 23, 2011

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StYle

HollYWood

SoCietY

Presenting Ayesha Khurram’s new bridal collection with accents of black and red hues

62 HoroSCope Astrological forecast for the week

52 travelThe growing hospitality of Abu Dhabi

64 piCkS of tHe WeekGo through the smart wish-list for the best buys and best picks for everyone

George Clooney for President!

Report on the happenings and events in your metropolis

0618 The rise of a new sTara pioneer indeedintervieWintervieW

Sunday pluS

editOr’S nOte

Editor-in-ChiefMajid Nizami

Deputy Managing DirectorRameeza Nizami

Editor The NationSalim Bokhari

Editor Magazine:Emanuel Sarfraz

Editorial Staff: Bishakha Khadka Kunwar, Madiha Syedain, Sadaf Pervez & Navirah Zafar

Creative Head:Faiz-ur-Rehman

Creative Team: Shoaib Qadir, Faisal Fazal, HM. Nouman

For advertising:Bilal Mahmood, 0300 - 8493206Muhammad Zaeem 0301 - 8463306Salman Ahmed 0300 - 4116792Shiraz Akbar 0333 - 2310851Khalid Sheikh0345-5130728

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TheNation

This week we are yet again presenting an exciting issue of your favourite magazine, Sunday Plus. We are presenting a special review on Bridal Couture Week 2011 Lahore edition on the razzle and dazzle that happened on the ramp and the latest bridal trends of the season. In lieu to Bridal Couture Week 2011 we also got the opportunity to talk to Sultana Siddiqui, President HUM Network, about her humble beginning and her efforts to promote Bridal Couture in Pakistan. Also read our special interview of Nighat Latif, founder of an NGO Gul Bahao, who transformed the art of waste collection for the betterment of human lives by cashing from the trash in Karachi.On our style pages see the latest bridal collection of Ayesha Khurram where she has presented black and red in her bridal. And this week in our ‘Picks of the week’ section, we are again presenting a little something for our readers to quiz their mind with. Send us your comments and feedback at [email protected]

October 23, 201108 Sunday PluS

ight at the nick of time, the third edition of Style 360 Bridal Couture Week recently showcased an array of designers for all the wedding sarto-rial needs. A Pakistani woman may hesitate to splurge on any dress but if it’s a bridal outfit, you know, she will pull all the stops.

With Style 360 as the event organizers, sponsors like Pantene and participating designers like Mehdi, Crimson by Ali Xeeshan, Bina Sultan (BNS Couture), Fahad Hussayn, Faheem Abbas, Gulzeb Asif, Kosain Kazmi, Mona Imran, Saba (La Chantal), Saba and Misbah (Hijab), Sadaf Arshad, Saira Rizwan, Shayinne Malik (SamanZar), and Shaziya Kiyani (Shaziya Bridal Gallery), Rabani & Rakha from India, this event did prom-ise to be a fashion extravaganza, but left us with a lot to be desired for.

Maximalism was the mood du jour at the event. The shows revoked images of regalia with its unapologetic stance on glitz, where more means more. Over the last two days, Bridal Couture Week 2011 offered a plat-form to Pakistan’s bridal designers to present their designs in a glamorous avatar. Besides this dazzling line up of some of our finest bridal works, Bridal Couture Week presented a glittering tableau of splendour and style

with leading names from the fashion industry in terms of choreography by HSY, hair and make-up by Sabs Salon and the show’s grandeur was accentuated with a romantic backdrop managed by J&S who decorated the ramp in fresh white flowers. With Pakistani fashion on the ramp, Lollywood celebrities showed their support in scores for these designers. The two-day extravaganza saw stars like Reema, Shan, Resham, Iman Ali, singers like Hadiqa Kiyani, Farhad Humayun, Qurat-ul-Ain Baloch, actors like Adnan Siddiqui and our cricket legend Waseem Akram sashaying down the ramp in bridal threads by various designers.

Many Islamabad based jewellery designers like Keepsakes by Reem Abbasi, Hanik and many others showcased some of the finest exquisite jewellery in gold and gemstones like, pearls, rubies, emeralds and dia-monds. The designer fraternity, on their part, worked hard towards their collections as bridal fashion is the biggest money-spinner. But sadly very few designers, however, were aware that experimenting with designs is the key to breaking into the market. Most of the designers had the same-old same-old feel to their approach and aesthetics; floral appliqués, motifs with bling and a generous helping of fringe marked each designer’s collection where only few managed to shine through. Most of the design-ers used translucent chiffons, georgettes, silks, velvets, jamawars, and brocades with traditional trimmings. A gregarious embellishment spree took precedence and paid homage to the impact-loving bride for whom it is de rigueur to look like a million bucks, via a million sequins.

The second year of this fashion extravaganza brought a plethora of options for a perfect wedding ensemble but failed to live up to our expecta-tions. So let’s see what were the hits and misses of this bridal extravagance.

fashion

By Bishakha Kunwar

RAZZLEDAZZLE

As the wedding season around the country is gearing its pace, it’s perhaps not surprising to see our fashion industry gear up to target its largest clientele and offer brides-to-be to finalise their important wedding lehengas.

ON THE RAMP

R

a living legend

October 23, 2011 09Sunday PluS

The designer fraternity, on their part, worked hard towards their collections as bridal fashion is the biggest money-spinner. But sadly very few designers, however, were aware that experimenting with designs is the key to breaking into the market.

fashion

MEHDI CRIMSON BY ALI XEESHAN

This time designer Mehdi’s collection gave an ode to colours and

extensively used luxurious shades like black, reds, yellows, saffron, pinks apart from his usual favourites (beige, ivory, maroons, whites). Mehdi talk-ing to Sunday Plus said that a Mehdi woman has to look bold and timeless. His signature bridal embellishments and focus on cuts with striking designs make him a hit this season. The show stoppers for the event were Waseem Akram (wearing a Mehdi sher-wani) and beautiful Iman Ali (wearing thread embroidered fringed ivory long kurta teamed with lace and chiffon lehenga). He infused the colour black cleverly with bright colours and I am especially loving the shoulder detailing on long beautifully embellished gowns that can be worn with brocade lehenga during wedding or as smart separates

Ali Xeeshan for Crimson presented the total charm of subconti-

nent fused with the traditional explosion of amazing colours like golden, reds, crystal, majestic purples all intertwined skillfully with exquisite embroideries and embellishments, sharply cut silhouettes, along with a touch of grandeur and drama. With so much ethnic glamour on the ramp, Ali worked with traditional ornamentation to highlight his beautiful lavish fabrics. Volumi-nous brocade ghaghara, fragile mokesh embroideries, mesh overlays, tulle layered volumi-nous lehengas all made appear-ances. His forte lies in texturing and layering with gota trimmed lehengas and elaborate head gears completed his collection. In retrospection of the designer’s collection, you get the inescap-able sense that he has a genuine vision for the label—coherent with blended with immense talent and dedication.

HITS



fashion

HITSFAHAD HUSSAYN

ELECTRIFYING TANOURA PERFORMANCE

Looking at Fahad’s collection one could actually feel that it

was indeed a well-researched collection. Talking to Sunday Plus, Fahad mentioned that it took him two years to for-mulate this collection and the all the fabrics used are hand-woven infused with silver handmade gotas. The col-lection highlighted the finest weaves, embroideries, jewels, stones and techniques in fine fits, celebrating the Pakistani artisan. Inspired from the grandeur of Rajwada family, Fahad celebrated tradition and intricacy meshed with modern sensibilities by using rich fabrics like brocades, silks, velvets, tulles, silks

and nets. Brides walked the ramp with fringe net veils and duppata with scalloped hemline made of golden zari which was indeed works of finest craftsmen. These are the clothes brides’ dream of – voluminous long lehengas, shararas and ghararas, netted veils, lace trims all combined to create a wedding look to remember. For men, the voluminous kurta teamed with a maroon sherwanis drew the most murmurs. The melodious Qurat-ul-Ain Bal-och resonated the ramp with her soulful voice and looked every bit of a Rajwada herself wearing a Fahad Hussyan sari with a full-sleeved blouse.

SAIRA RIZWAN

This debutant at the Bridal Couture Week presented a

collection that drew most of its inspiration from the Mughal era. Saira’s exquisite bridal trous-seaus came together with breathtaking production in a marriage of style with technical finesse. Her formal wear are pieces of art, with detailed embel-lishments and intricate embroideries. The gar-ments are worked upon by intricate embroidery in a bright colour palette for the festive season. She is the one to watch out for.

One of the major highlights of the show was a whirling dance performance called tanoura, an

Egyptian Sufi-inspired dance, performed by Hamad. The dancer wearing bright kaleidoscopic layers of skirts, continuously spinning for 15 minutes, performed several tricks with the layers of bright skirts that left the audiences wooing.

fashion

MADE IN INDIA AIN’T GOOD

Indian designers, Ra-bani and Rakha, largely showcased a collection

comprising of western net gowns with sequined leg-ging and embellishments. They seemed to have strayed from the bridal theme, with slinky and shimmery cocktail dresses sashaying down the runway bringing to mind a more of a party look. And, can’t say it was a favourite of ours! Between the embellished bodice cuts of the gowns and the net fabric used, there just was so much going on and none of it in a good way! Although more fittingly ‘bridal’, their sequined embellished sari concoc-tions brought nothing new to the plethora of choices a modern bride has. After J J Valaya’s showcasing at the last Bridal Couture Week 2011 in Karachi, we were expecting someone extraordinary, but Rabani and Rakha were a big dis-appointment.

ITEM NUMBERS

An entertainment seg-ment choreographed by Papu Samrat with

Marium as a dancer who per-formed with a troupe was a big downer and felt out of place. This performance felt more like a stage theatre dance and was a tad too cheesy and cheap for this glamourous event. The performances at the last Bridal Couture Week 2011 in Karachi choreographed by Hasan Rizvi was more decent and doable. The other performance was a classical number showcased by Fia, the model. Her perfor-mance was not as cheesy as Mariums but it made some of us feel that a model should only do what she is good at doing, walking the ramp.

FLOPS

LATE LATIF in LAHORE

“When in Lahore, do as the Lahoris do” was the mantra at the third edition of Style 360 Bridal Couture Week 2011 in Lahore. The highly experienced team of Style 360 after two previous Bridal

Couture Weeks under their belt could not start the shows on time and stretched the event till midnight with unnecessary long intervals, cheesy performances between the shows. The result? Down with fever…


BRIDAL TRENDS

October 23, 2011 16 SuNday PluS

By Bishakha Kunwar

PEEK INTO THE BRIDAL TRENDS

Say good bye to the concept of not using or meshing the colour black into your

bridal trousseau. The trend that we spotted at the recent Bridal Couture Week was mixing the colour black or any sort of black elements with bright colours. One of my favourites was the way designer Mehdi juxtaposed the colour into his hot ensembles. The mantra is don’t go over the top with an all-black outfit, just add a hint.

From long embellished shirts to tails coming from voluminous of lehengas,

this season length and volume is the key for the brides-to-be. Long shirts/tunics were teamed with lehengas in almost every collection. While long floor length kurtas could be worn with shara-ras and ghararas and could double up as gowns.

We have always associ-ated laces with wedding gowns in the West and

ours with rich embellishments. But a new bride of today is experimental and is ready to mix and match. At the Bridal Couture Week, we saw almost all design-ers using lace detailing in some way or the other. To add a touch of feminine romantic elegance, the delicate lace trimmings give an edge to your wedding silhouettes.

Colour was at prominent display on the runway at the Bridal Couture Week with rich and

warm colours such as greens, yel-lows, reds, turquoise blue, shocking pink, orange and black with lots of shimmer and bling. The anarkalis and agrakhas were looking stunning in rainbow colours with velvet-striped hemlines. The designers wove together glamour, grandeur and colour into their ensembles. Also stunning, were the royal jewel tones of ruby, sapphire, emerald and topaz sparkling in gorgeous line of bridal ensembles.

BLACK IS THE NEW BRIDAL LONG TAILS OF LOVE ROMANCING WITH LACE COLOUR THERAPY


EnvironmEnt

By Sadaf Pervez

here is always a hullabaloo about environ-ment degradation. Concrete steps are seldom taken to conserve our environ-ment. I wanted to actually do something rather just talking,” Nighat Latif told S+ about her decision to dedicate her life to this noble cause.

The foundation of Gul Bahao was laid 17 years ago. It was life changing incidents that gave her the idea of envi-ronmental conservation. After the birth of her third child, Nargis suffered immense trauma and illness. It was then when she pledged that if she recovered, she would devote her life in the way of God. Her prayers were answered and after a full recovery, she initiated by cleaning her sur-

roundings and now she is busy in engineering a recycling revolution.

“The gravity of the situation is that you cannot find sweet smelling flowers. The natural perfume is missing,” Latif warned. “I named my NGO Gul Bahao to insinuate the idea of spread-ing fragrance. Gul Bahao literally means growing flowers.”

“The importance of recycling is not only about making a difference to the earth’s health but also for businesses as they secure cost efficient products for the consumers over the matter of saving the

envi-ronment and reduce pres-sure on the state economy for heavy import of raw material.”

With her years of experience in Botany, Latif is dedicating her attention to inno-

A recycling revolution:

Depletion of the earth is accelerating at a faster rate and sustenance of healthy balance seems vague at this juncture. The sole solution that the environmentalists at par agree on is the dire need of recycling.

‘‘TcAsh from trAsh


EnvironmEnt

vating and finding new

ways and techniques to invent cost effective products that are useful in our daily lives. The list includes inbuilt cupboards, beds, cushions, mobile

toilets and many others. “I have no

expectations from the government. There

was a little help in the sec-ond tenure of Benazir Bhutto.

Apart from that I have never been offered any kind of cooperation,” Latif

told.She elaborated, “The funds to sustain

the NGO are raised by the selling of the products like Chandi Ghar and through Safai Kamai Bank. But this only makes up for 60 percent of our expenses. The rest is sponsored.”

The journey seems to be a difficult

one, engrossed in the continuous process of innovation and research. But she is happy as her name is printed in the textbooks as a Pakistani innovator who has come up with out of the box solutions in which the whole nation can take pride in. Latif said, “We, Pakistanis at times get humiliated for not having proper research institutes to compete with ramifications of modernism and we look enviously at developed countries. Now we can look upon at ourselves as brainy and intelligent as they are.”

In conversation with Sunday Plus, Nighat Latif discussed her various discov-eries and experiences:

Depletion of the earth is accelerating at a faster rate and sustenance of healthy balance seems vague at this juncture. The sole solution that the environmentalists at par agree on is the dire need of recycling.

cAsh from trAsh


EnvironmEnt

Chandi Ghar- Silver houses

Chandi Ghar (Silver Houses) are prefabricated housing plants. It is

the novelty of the constant research that Nighat has been able to find a way to depose of the plastic bags usefully rather than letting them lay on the roads to litter and clog up gutters.

She collected discarded plastic bags and explored a way to compress these bags to make waste blocks or bricks, which she then used in building houses, swimming pools and for flooring. Five years before, the efforts were diverted to make these bricks with aluminium foil instead of plastic bags. Aluminium foil waste is collected from factories and workshops that make packaging material. So industrial waste squan-dered by around 200 factories, located in the Export Processing Zone, now serves as Gul Bahao’s raw material. Since these bricks are not made from cement, they are termite-proof, non-inflammable, weather-proof, cheap and, best of all, portable. One house costs Rs 16,500 to build and it is known to survive even harsh climates. Nargis declared that the innovation is unique, that we have beaten the Americans, the Chinese, Japanese and the rest of the world in this respect. Giving one ex-ample she said that Gul Bahaos office is located in one such Chandighar for the years now and has survived cyclones in heavy downpours.

These innovative constructions have helped relocating internally displaced persons during the 2005 earthquake and flash floods affecting almost 20 million Pakistanis, destroying homes and villages. “So far, we have built 200 houses in Karachi, Muzaffarbad, Man-shera and in other places. These houses

also fulfill our monetary requirements to conduct researches and production,” Latif added.

Safai Kamai Bank

Safai Kamai Bank is formed on the premise to raise funds by collecting

garbage and then sellling it for a profit. Anyone like an individual, a company or factory can sell their garbage to the bank and get cash or savings cer-tificates in return. The bank then sells the garbage to middlemen for a profit, which constitutes its earnings. Before this venture, “Kachra Do Sona Lo” was the first innovative idea to generate money in which garbage was exchanged for 24-karat gold bars at her “Garbage and Gold Bank.” This, however, was not feasible in the long run.

Gul Bahao’s research centre:

“My mantra is to do research, research and research,” Latif il-

luminated. “I want to show Pakistan does have brains and the knack to innovate and create new things. Now we can have our own patent products. BBC, CNN, UNESCO and Clinton Foundation have also given a nod to our my creations as unique and first of its kind,” Latif added.

Gul Bahao’s research centre is located on a 2,000-sq-yard plot in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. This is where she conducts her research with the help of students who have completed their matriculation or intermediate or studying in universities. Latif takes non-toxic materials from the garbage and experiments with them to make items of everyday use. To her credit, she has even been asked for permis-


EnvironmEnt

sion by LUMS to mention her discoveries in one of their books.

Paki Panni

Not all can afford to have bottled wa-ter or filters at home to ensure the

provision of safe water. Many are dying because of intake of contaminated water. Gul Bahao have found a solution that is within the reach of the average Pakistani. It transforms contaminated water into drinking water by putting it out in the sun for three hours, in transparent plastic bottles. This makes the water germ-free and leaves the mineral content intact for use. The product called Paaka Paani has been recognised by the World Health Organisation.

“This methodology of purification of the water has now been accepted by the doctors after the lapse of eight years. People with vested interests like the multinational companies are always on a quest to shun the possibility of the diver-sion of their consumers,” Latif shared.

Fuel Pack

The problem of shortage of energy is getting worse day by day. Many options

for alternative energies were discussed and the idea of generating energy with waste was rejected for being prohibitively expensive and needing heavy investment.

But where there is a will, there is way. One can take pride in Gul Bahao for exploring the alternative fuel for the thermal power plants which can help in curbing the escalating energy crisis.

Giving the background of the “Fuel Pack” Latif said that she initiated to work on this idea in 2006 and collected different kinds of industrial waste from 80 factories of the EPZA by means of 8 trucks on a daily basis and she had been conducting experi-ments on them ever since. Techniques used were those that have been developed by Gul Bahao for making its famous “Wastic Blocks”. The “Fuel Pack” is a block weigh-ing ten to twelve kilo of size 6 inches by 17 inches by 21 inches. It consists of clean non-toxic industrial waste like bits of wood, paper, and cloth which are not mixed up with putrefying waste. A protective covering of aluminum foil which is fire resistant is put on the blocks which also give it an aesthetic look. The blocks have been used as fuel in different places which gave extremely good results. One well known industrial company, Attock Cement tested and even volunteered to market it.

“The management of KESC did ap-proach me for this viable option, that is cheaper and environment-friendly but they are reluctant to put any real effort into adopting measures to become more efficient,” Latif told.

I have no expectations from the government. There was a little help in the second tenure of Benazir Bhutto. Apart from that I have never been offered any kind of cooperation. One house costs Rs 16,500 to build and it is known to survive even harsh climates.


interview

By Navirah Zafar

er inspiration mostly lay in direction and content. Being batch mates with Shoaib Mansoor, Ghazanfar Ali in PTV and trained in production from the prestigious PTV Training Academy she had her ambition chalked out . Her vision to expand and retire early led to the birth of Moomal Productions, under the permission of PTV in 1996 dramas like Yeh Zindagi, Doosri Duniya just to name a few took the TV serial arena by storm. With Moomal

As a young educated woman Sultana Siddiqui had her mind sorted as to what she desired to be in life. From her college days was always inquisitive about the performing arts and at many occasion hosted shows and acted in dramas on PTV.

Sultana Siddiqui:

H

A pioneer


interview

Productions she did an elaborate number of plays, at that time the idea of owning a channel was alien to her.

With the immense success of HUM TV, Masala TV and Style 360 Sultana Apa (as she is known to many) is a visionary and with the assistance of her youngest son Durraid Siddiqui, she is one of the propo-nents of the projection of Pakistan’s soft image aboard and making the presence of HUM TV known in the media fraternity. In town for Bridal Couture Week 2011 we at Sunday Plus got the opportunity to talk to Sultana Siddiqui, President HUM Network. From her start as TV host to her present stature as the Head of a powerful media empire, she awed us with her humility and grace.S+: How did the thought of opening up network/channel came about?Sultana: With Moomal Productions I did an elaborate number of plays, at that time I had no idea that one day I would be running my own on channel. Durraid Siddiqui, my youngest son had always had an agitation of doing something bigger,

being a graduate from LUMS and have had studied aboard he had a vision which I couldn’t foresee for myself. In begin-ning I was hesitant as the responsibility to open up a channel and that being at a massive level. For me always everything had to be perfect, quality orientated and purposeful. From there the urge to start our own channel just hit off, with combi-nation of his brilliant marketing and sales techniques and my creative sensibility we thought something magical can be created and hence forth HUM Network and HUM TV came into existence in 2004 and that being public listed network (initially HUM Network was known as Eye Network.)S+: Were there any hurdles in starting a purely entertainment based channel?

Sultana: For us the horror of news element not being part of our channel had many questioning the run time of our channel. Me with my awareness of various category channels running successfully abroad had me stuck to the idea of open-ing a purely entertainment based channel.

Hum Network is the only network which is a public state, my son had a vision for it to expand and have multiple people coming in and for me to promote and sustain the essence of Pakistani script, drama and aesthetics had my vision cleared.S+: Every TV channel promotes a particular school of thought, what motto does HUM TV stand by?Sultana: The motto of HUM TV is to pro-mote and give platform to the Pakistan’s own artist, directors, writers, technicians. Drama needs to have an element of day to day living, so that the audience can relate to it. Our writer’s calibre and grip on narrating a story is beyond any compari-son. I was asked at many occasions by journalist will I pick up writers from India for the success of my channel, my answer was simple ‘No, I will not’. At the time with already running channels like Indus TV, Geo and ARY entertainment for us to break into the market had seemed tough, but persistence and hard work paid off and we are one of the top Pakistani en-tertainment channel .Another thing HUM Network stands by is to re-invent oneself, I throughout these years have maintained the element of flow with directors and ac-tors coming and leaving and making space for fresh blood.S+: What led HUM Network to start the country’s first food and fashion channel?Sultana: Masala TV was another turning point for the company; the idea of having ‘food being thought for 24 hours and seven days a week’ was alarming for me-dia mongels. My son and I had vision, and Ramadan was around the corner, what better way to launch a food channel then in Ramadan. With the persistence of Hum Network CEO Durraid, the channel was telecasted in the month of Ramazan.

The thought process that led to Style 360 was the demand for fashion from Pakistani’s living in the USA. Their image or sense of style regarding Pakistani fash-ion was derived from dramas. I thought in order to gauge that market a proper fashion and lifestyle was the need of the hour. Once gone abroad people are stuck in the fashion trends of the year they left

indeedAnother thing which I keep constant in all my shows is to incorporate new with the old, last year prominent designers like HSY, Nilofer Shahid,Maheen and Rizwan Beyg showcased their collection with Mehdi, Ali Zeeshan and Fahad Hussayn. Now with the latter going big this year, new batch of designers are aligned with them.


interview

Pakistan.S+: HUM TV started with the country’s first food channel, and first fashion channel, terming your network as being a pioneer in starting theme based channels won’t do you wrong, how has the whole experience been and where to do see Network heading?Sultana: We not only pioneered in food and fashion, we even pioneered in entertainment, our contemporary TVone started with news and entertainment on the same channel. I see a lot of potential in the network, I see it going many places. Maybe me saying a few things before time won’t do justice until and unless me and my team don’t present them to the viewing audience. In future I would want to see my newspaper, radio channel, news channel; these are some branches that we would be working on. HUM Network is as an organization run by positive people who are always striving to create better television.S+: How competitive is HUM TV with other channels and how do you avoid sensationalism?Sultana: Geo, ARY and HUM, the flow chart of these channels rating shift with the content being displayed, at times Geo is at top, then HUM and then ARY and vice versa. When I look at the viewer ship, I’m amazed at the content being appreciated by the viewers. No matter how advance the content of my drama is,

I always ask the creators of the drama to have no element of profanity at least in the promo.

I like bold topics but presenting them in a vulgar way is not acceptable for me, I keep on checking my team if they are

maintaining the standard. For me if a particular un-ethical shot is being drama-tized, I ask the director to re-edit or handle it with delicacy. Over sensationalizing it is not what I do and promote.S+: This month the third instalment of Bridal Couture Week took place, what’s the motivation behind putting up a televised fashion week?Sultana: Doing anything for the first time and finessing it at the very beginning is difficult. This is the third Bridal Fashion week that we are conducting and it is bet-ter than the previous ones aesthetically, creatively and content wise. The people working to bring forth this event are tremendous at what they do, making my work easy. Even then I feel my presence of checking and pushing them to their best helps them to put their best foot forward. The work being done in our part of the country is beyond any comparison, projecting it in an aesthetic way not only gets the viewer noticed but helps the new fashion, style and sensibility be known to the masses in Pakistan and aboard.S+: Bridal Couture Week has a mix of talents from the old to the new, why showcase different moulds of fashion?Sultana: My main purpose is to let the designs of the designers speak and let their market expand. Another thing which I keep constant in all my shows is to incorporate new with the old, last year prominent designers like HSY, Nilofer Shahid,Maheen and Rizwan Beyg showcased their collection with Mehdi, Ali Zeeshan and Fahad Hussayn. Now with the latter going big this year, new batch of designers are aligned with them. Designers book themselves with us every time because they get good air time and their product is being globally watched by everyone.

Involving Indian designers in the bridal week is to promote healthy competition; it is to see what the neighbouring country has to offer. When they go back they tell what they saw here. The market for designers also increases as this show is telecasted in major countries like USA, Europe, Australia, Saudi Arabia etc. My humble request to all designers is to work with synergy, leave their issues aside and come together as a fashion fraternity, developing and working for the betterment of Fashion in Pakistan.

With the immense success of HUM TV, Masala TV and Style 360 Sultana Apa (known to many) is a visionary and with her youngest son Durraid Siddiqui, she has contributed to the positive projection Pakistan aboard and making the presence of HUM TV known in the media fraternity.

T


interivew

By BishakhaKunwar

Ennz ascEndsThe rise of a new sTar

There are jewels, and then there are absolute must-have statement-making jewels, Ennz jewellery falls in the latter category. Robust, Classy, Avant-Garde: that’s how this talented designer, Nosheen Amir, describes her style aesthetic and her label, Ennz. Not afraid to experiment, her hand crafted work represents many hours of careful thought and dedication. Experimenting with the finest metals, gemstones, she creates pieces that are modern yet classic, and makes her work incredibly covetable.

his fine art graduate’s defining moment came when she participated in a competition held by a jewellery brand during her college days. Since her teachers and seniors loved her designs and strongly proposed her to pursue this professionally there is no looking back.She creates jewellery like never seen before – incredible sculptural work of art that is bold yet subtle. Since last seven years, Nosheen has been creating her signature designs, which are represented by top tier boutiques throughout the country. Hers is a rare breed of jewellery designer that truly embraces and works within the fashion world, creating new collections seasonally. This Islamabad based artist and designer has an aesthetic twist and she surely knows how

to make a splash with her ornate pieces. Nosheen has also exhibited across the globe from Pakistan, Dubai, Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, Montreal, Toronto to Chicago and

Houston.In conversation with this bold and innovative designer who creates truly beautiful pieces without failing to capture your imagination, Sunday Plus discovers what makes Ennz jewels

unique wearable pieces of art.


A living legend


S+: What’s your fashion history? Were you always

an artist, and how did you learn what you do?Nosheen Aamir: Before I entered the professional arena in 2004, I discovered my instinct for jewellery designing during my college days when a jewellery brand asked us to contribute designs in an

exercise. My teachers and seniors loved my designs and strongly

proposed that I should pursue this professionally. And last seven successful years success for Ennz has made me believe that I

made the right choice. S+: How did you

originally discover jewellery designing? Did you always

want to be a jewellery designer?Nosheen: Ever since I can

recall, I’ve been driven by creativity, in all its shapes and

forms. As if almost natu-rally, I studied fine

arts and it didn’t take me long to realize that

I felt in my own elements moulding metals

and stones into inventive yet classy arrangements which don’t just serve my aesthetic gratification, but are loved by hundreds of my clients as well.S+: If you could sum up your look and aesthetic in three words, what

would they be and why? Nosheen: Robust, Classy and Avant-Garde. Robust, because to mejewellery is more than just a delicate embellishment. My jewellery Designs provides women the privilege to express themselves through a rather dynamic medium. Classy, because I ensure that every piece is unique and awe-inspiring in its own right. Avant-Garde, because I believe that the spring of creativity and innovation never runs dry in a true artist and therefore every creation should have an element of admirable novelty.S+: Your pieces are extremely beautiful and creative. Do you have a favourite? If yes, which one and why?Nosheen: I actually do, it’s a pendant I’ve designed for my latest line. After I com-pleted it, I just fell in love with its fluidity and serene elegance.S+: Can you give us some hints about the inspiration behind your beauti-ful collection? What has influenced your previous collections?Nosheen: Well, my inherent inspiration was the ancient and medieval Egyptian jewellery. Influence might not be the perfect word to describe it, but I can say that this inspiration has surely blended well with my style of designing. S+: You design an array of jewellery categories: fabulous statement necklaces, earrings and dramatic cuffs. Is there a particular kind of jewellery that really sets you free with your design process?Nosheen: I design every entity with total dedication. However, what I enjoy design-ing the most are pendants. They provide me more room to play with and it’s almost like painting the perfect piece with colours and shapes that flow through. S+: How do you arrive at your “theme” or direction each season?Nosheen: I believe that designing for a theme confines the creativity and innova-tion, which otherwise are spontaneous virtues. Titling or theme designation is something I prefer doing once I am done

with the collection. S+: Would you ever consider collabo-rating with a fashion designer?Nosheen: Yes, but that would be a couture designer. I’ve been approached by leading designers in this regard and I’m in the process of picking who suits my collection the best. S+: What was the most valuable lesson you learnt as jewellery designer?Nosheen: If you truly are blessed with creativity, you need to believe in it instead of kneeling to commercial demands and typical popular trends. By the end of the day, your individuality and distinction is what will set you a class apart from the crowd. S+: There seems so much support available for new designers, but less for jewellery designers. Do you think it’s a harder industry to break into?Nosheen: It definitely is. The amount of effort that goes into designing a jewellery piece is tremendous and it’s all taken away by plagiarism at the blink of a cam. It takes a lot of perseverance and hard-work to establish yourself in this arena. S+: What can we expect next from your next collection? How’s the new collection shaping up?Nosheen: I’ve recently completed a new line. Which I’ m sure will be widely loved (Inshallah). The best thing about Ennz is that it’s not predictable, so you can expect something totally distinct yet equally splendid in the next collection. S+: What do you get up to when you’re not thinking about jewellery?Nosheen: Honestly, there hardly is a time of the day when I don’t think about it and I believe it’s perfectly normal as jewellery designing is not just my profession, it’s my passion. S+: Where do you see yourself in the future?Nosheen: Right at the top. I don’t believe in half measures, or settling for mediocrity, because I back my ambitions and aims with shear hardwork and honestly.

interivew

My inherent inspiration was the ancient

and medieval Egyptian jewellery. Influence

might not be the perfect word to describe it


style

showcasingWinter

LAHORE:

AlKaram Winter Collection was launched at the Al Karam Studio

recently. The collection captured the spirit of winter with bold

colors in five collections mainly Khaddhar prints- encapsulating

sixties feel to them, Khaddhar embroidery which is a glamorous

collection for the evening, Linen fun casual, Linen embroidery

with flair panels and Jhaama whaar, a very fashionable trendy

banarsi fabric.

style


society

Faz Zia & Faiza Zafar 21

October 23, 2011 38 Sunday PluS

1 2 3KARACHI: ActOne recently launched the city's only evening and night care called Play house childcare. The event's media and PR coordination was done by Voila PR.

Play house childcare

4

6

11

16

12 13 14

15

5

87 9 10

11 12 13Aamena & Farah at Playhouse Shaista Maha Abbas

14 15A mother taking information Wall painting

8 9 10Kids doing activity work Guitar performance Dar game

5 6 7Kids playing guita Amongst many of activitiew Wall painting

1 2 3 4Alizeh Kids wall painting Kids doing activities Buiding blocks

16 Sikander, Rozina and Raima

LAHORE:

society


Factory inauguration

International packaging company Tetra Pak has opened its new factory in Lahore, to cater to the increasing demand of the country’s juice and dairy industries. The executive management members of the company graced the event.

5

KARACHI:

society

Tanveer abid and Abid Umer

Fouzia with Babblo

ArsalanHadiqa Kyani Ifatt Umer with friendAkif MahmoodNatty217

63 4


AlKArAm studio lAunched

8 Sara Gandhapur

AlKaram launched its winter Collection at the Al Karam Studio. The show consisted of 14 models who showcased beautiful array of 50 outfits. The show ended with a surprise walk down the ramp by Hadiqa Kawani. The event was managed by Catwalk Production and PR was done by Catalyst.

6 7

8

1 3

4 5

2

society

Sunday PluSOctober 23, 2011 43

9 Ahmed But and Faisal FarooqiSaira with friend Frieha & Mohsin Sadia Mirza Sanna and Maria B10 11 12 13

10

11

12 13

9

society


19Shehzad and Urooj Petter and Philip Hani TahaAsifa and NabeelSabina Pasha1615 17 18Atif14

14 15

16 17

1819

style

Sunday Plus spotted som

e of our local

celebrities sporting top notch designer

outfits that are top of the afancy:

Cybil wearing a Sadaf and Jannat

1AmnA wearing milli madiha by madiha ibrar

2HinA in ayeSh Khurram outfit

3A SAirA rizwAn outfit

4HAmzA TArAr in a hSy Kurta

5


Caught

1 Cybil CHAudAry

4 SAirA rizwAn

5HAmzATArAr

en vogue

AmnA 2

3 HinA


Hollywood

GeorGe Clooney For

President!


Hollywood

As Aristotle once said: "Politicians also have no leisure, because they are always aiming at something beyond political life itself, power and glory." Even diehard idealists eventually succumb to the realization that politics is a dirty game, full of cynics, whose ultimate goal is to spin the numbers in their favor.


Hollywood

hat is the premise of "The Ides of March." Directed and co-written by George Cloo-ney, together with Grant Heslov, the film is an adaptation of "Farragut North," a play by Beau Willimon.

‘The Ides of March’ takes place during the frantic last days before a heavily con-tested Ohio presidential primary, where an up-and-coming campaign press secretary (Ryan Gosling) finds himself involved in a political scandal that threatens to upend his candidate’s shot at the presidency. Alongside Ryan Gosling and George Clooney the film stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, Max Minghellal Jeffrey Wright and Evan Rachel Wood. The movie will be Clooney’s fourth film as director after ‘Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,’ ‘Good Night and Good Luck’ and ‘Leatherheads.’ Let’s see what George had to talk about the movie:

q: this story of morality, you can pretty much put it in any situa-

tion, placing it in a political scenario must heighten the stakes though?GEORGE CLOONEY: Oh yeah, I don’t really think of this as a political film, I figure you could put this story in Wall Street, you could pretty much put it anywhere. It’s all the same issues, issues of morality, issues of

whether or not you’re willing to trade your soul for an outcome. I never thought of it as a political film, I liked some of the things that these characters had to do, and politics certainly raises the stakes. These power games, I don’t they’re anything new; they’ve been going on since Julius Caesar (laughs). I just think the fact that we continue to repeat them is our own definition of insanity.

Grant Heslov (co-writer and co-produc-er) and I were working on a piece about a morality play, an idea of the argument of ‘do the ends justify the means at any point?’ We were in the middle of doing another piece and then this play came around, and the play took place with these really ex-traordinary characters, inside a Democratic primary. We felt that the stakes get raised very quickly with that, we thought that was a very interesting place to place what we had been working on. So it was sort of Grant and I taking a piece of what we were working on, and we found something that matched it that gave us a real home.

q: why was this story important for you to make?

GEORGE CLOONEY: We want to do stories that ask more questions than they answer, we want to do things that have people involved in a discussion after the

movie – I like that, I’ve always like that. I grew up as a child of the 70’s film culture that had some of the great filmmakers making some of the great films, in arguably one of the most turbulent times – with the civil rights movements, the women’s rights movements, the drug counter culture, anti-war movement. We have another time now in the US and in the world that is very turbulent, I think it’s always good to talk about issues, and not necessarily be able to provide those answers.

q: the cast for this film incredible, how did you choose the actors?

GEORGE CLOONEY: I have some photos of them doing some very compromising things, so I forced them to do the film (laughs). We were very lucky, we happened to have a script that people wanted to work on, and luckily we were able to put together such an incredible cast. I really don’t know how we got quite so lucky, if I’m honest. The first person we cast was Ryan Gosling, the first person we asked was Ryan. We sent it to him and asked him if he would do it. We called pretty much everyone around the same time, luckily it was first choices for everyone.

q: this is you fourth film now in the directors chair, how do you

find that experience? also directing yourself…GEORGE CLOONEY: I enjoyed directing myself…..’I thought you were really good in that take George’……’why thank you.’ (Laughs) I enjoy directing, it’s a very fun thing to do. Working with people who’ve done it as well, I think they would probably agree that it feels a little bit more creative directing. But it’s awfully easy when you have people like Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Paul Giamatti, Philip Seymour Hoff-man, Ryan Gosling, Jeffrey Wright etc. I can promise you that it’s a lot easier when you have really wonderful actors. It was a great experience, I like directing a lot.

T


travel

he stream of visitors and businessmen to the city’s assortment of world-class hotel properties is a sign of a booming and vibrant economy. One of the major contributors behind this growth is the launch of the Abu Dhabi based airline – Etihad Airways.

DhabiAbuOver the last decade, the hospitality industry of Abu Dhabi, one of the fastest growing cities of the world, is growing by leaps and bounds.

T

The growing hospiTaliTy of

Capital Gate Tower

>>>


travel

New five and four-star hotels are springing up all over the place, each better than the last. From luxurious themed suites and spacious rooms and cabanas to magnificent restaurants and health resorts, the hotels are a favorite of both the busi-ness and leisure clientele. There is action, drama and taste for everyone.

The Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort is an iconic landmark in the city. It is situated on the Abu Dhabi Corniche and features a natural lagoon with turquoise clear water that leads to the Ara-bian Gulf. The hotel does not only offer luxury but it also proves a place of tranquility and relaxation. Since it is within close proximity of the shopping and commercial districts and only 40 minutes drive away from the Abu Dhabi International Airport, it is a convenient spot to stay at.

Abu Dhabi being the capital of UAE is a very large metropolitan city and there are a number of

exciting projects such as Yas Marine Island which have recently launched such as at the Yas Marina Circuit and the world’s biggest indoor theme park Ferrari World.

A number of cultural and heritage projects

are also in the pipeline in Abu Dhabi including the Louvre and Guggenheim opening there and all in all, the prospects are good for Abu Dhabi becom-ing a major leisure destination and corporate financial hub in the Middle East.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Yas Island Ferrari World Abu Dhab

Sheikh Zayed Mosque at night Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resor

IRAQ

HERITAGE


By Dr. Shaukat Mahmood

Ctesiphon, pronounced Tesiphun, the capital of the Parthian Arsacids and of the Persian Sassanids, was one of the great cities of ancient Mesopotamia. The great arch has

several other names like Tagh-i Kasra, Ayvan-i Khusrow, Ayvan-a Kesra, Ayvan-a Kesra, Ayvan-e Mada’in, Taq-i Khusrau, Taq i Kisra, Iwan-i Kisra and several other.

Taq-i-qisra:

The ruins of the city still survive on the east bank of River Tigris in Iraq approximately 35 km south of the

city of Baghdad. It was built opposite the historic city of Seleucia. Later in history, through expansion the two cities became one and were named al-Mada’in (the Twin Cities). Ctesiphon measured 30 square kilometers when it was at its peak. The only visible remains today are the great arch Taq-i Kisra located in what is now the Iraqi town of Salman Pak. Ctesiphon rose to prominence during the Parthian Empire in the 1st century BC, and was the seat of government for most of its rulers. Because of its importance,

Ctesiphon was a major military objective for the leaders of the Roman Empire. The city was captured by Rome five times in its his-tory – three times in the 2nd century alone. The emperor Trajan captured Ctesiphon in 116, but his successor, Hadrian, decided to willingly return Ctesiphon in 117 as part of a peace settlement. The Roman general Avidius Cassius captured Ctesiphon in 164 during another Parthian war, but abandoned it when peace was concluded. In 197, the Emperor Septimius Severus sacked Cte-siphon and carried off thousands of its inhab-itants as prisoners of war. Ctesiphon fell to the Muslims during the Islamic conquest of

The GreaT arch of cTesiphon

Ctesiphon

HERITAGE

Persia in 637 under the military command of Sa’ad ibn Abi Waqqas during the caliphate of Hadrat Umar. The general population was not harmed but the palaces and their archives were seriously damaged. The city went into a rapid decline after the founding of the Abbasid capital Baghdad in the 8th century by Caliph al-Mansur. Ctesiphon soon became a ghost town. It is believed to be the city of Isbanir in the Thousand and One Nights. The ruins of Ctesiphon were the site of a major

H H H

Ctesiphon soon became a ghost town. It is believed to be the city of Isbanir in

the Thousand and One Nights.

battle of World War I in November 1915. The Ottoman Empire defeated British troops attempting to capture Baghdad, and drove them back some 40 miles (64 km) before trapping the British force and compelling it to surrender.

Mud brick was the most common build-ing material in ancient Mesopotamia. Baked bricks were only used for major projects such as the arch at Ctesiphon. The Great Arch was a part of a palace built by Sasanian kings in the sixth century AD.

“The Sasanians were an Iranian dynasty, but they used traditional Mesopotamian building techniques. The arch, a huge open audience hall 30m (110 ft) high and some 43m (141ft) long, should have required massive scaffolding, but the Mesopotamians leant the courses of brickwork back at an angle, so that each course was built against its predecessor, and only a mobile tower for the builders was necessary. The arch was flanked by façades decorated with blank ar-cading and pilasters, but the one on the right collapsed a century ago.” We can compare the height of this arch that is 110 feet with the height of Minar-i Pakistan which is 203 feet. Construction began during the reign of Khosrau I after a campaign against the Byzantines in 540. The arch was part of the imperial palace complex. The Throne room—presumably under or behind the arch—was more than 30 m (110 ft) high and covered an area 24 m (80 ft) wide by 48 m (160 ft) long. The top of the arch is about 1 meter

thick while the walls at the base are up to 7 meters in thickness. It was the largest vault ever constructed in Persia. The arch was built without centering. “In order to make this possible a number of techniques were used. The bricks were laid about 18 degrees from the vertical which allowed them to be partially supported by the rear wall during construction. The quick drying cement used as mortar allowed the fresh bricks to be quickly supported by those that were previ-ously laid.”

The Taq-i Kisra is now all that remains above ground of a city that was, for seven centuries, the main capital of the succes-sor dynasties of the Seleucids, Parthians and rulers of ancient Iran. The structure left today is the main portico of the audience hall of the Sassanids who maintained the same site chosen by the Parthians. The structure was captured by Arabs in AD 637. They then used it as a mosque for a short period of time until the area was gradually abandoned.

In 1888 floods destroyed a third of the ruins. The monument was in the process of being rebuilt by Saddam Hussein’s govern-ment in the course of the 1980s, when the fallen northern wing was partially rebuilt. All works, however, stopped after the 1991 Per-sian Gulf War. It is pity that several historic monuments of Iraq including the holy shrines were ruthlessly destroyed or damaged by 9/11 and the resulting War on Terror.


STYLE


Bridal Week Débutante

H H H

3

Q: This was the first time you were participating in Bridal Couture Week: how was your experience?

Saira Rizwan: It was one of my best decisions to participate in the BCW specially because this was the right time to showcase the bridal collection on the ramp, with the upcoming wedding season.

Q: Tell us about the collection you de-signed for BCW: what was the inspiration behind your collection?

Saira: The inspiration was “Jehanara” (daughter of Shah Jehan), the Mughal prin-cess. She was a very prominent figure in Shah

Jehan’s life after Queen Mumtaz’s death. A fashionable figure as she was in her time, she wore nothing but pure fabrics and was in love with jewels just like her father. So we used colour palletes of jewel colors and Mughal motifs in our collection.

Q: Why did you choose Resham to be your show stopper?

Saira: Resham has a glam value like no other actress and since she started her career as a model, she knows how to walk the ramp.

Q: Bridal Couture Week is the only cou-ture week currently being held in Pakistan.

What do you think is the importance of a couture week?

Saira: Very important!!! The hard work and effort that the designers put into to come out with a collection, needs a proper platform, which thankfully, couture week is providing us.

Q: Bridal Couture Week is probably the most elaborately done fashion week in terms of art direction and setup: what are your thoughts on this aspect?

Saira: No doubt about that, the set at Bridal Couture Week was GRAND!!!! Very nicely organized and decorated.

Saira Rizwan built her latest bridal collection on jewel colour palettes and Mughal motifs. Her collections are built on minimal design aesthetics and her nouveau collection at BCW drew some fantastic Mughal inspirations. Her design sense is imbued with practicality, making her outfits perfect for today’s modern bride. Her range caters to clientele based not only in Pakistan, but also outside it. So if you’re looking for elegant yet sophisticated bridal wear for this season, the Saira Rizwan collection is what you are looking for.

Saira Rizwan with Resham

Zodiac

Aries The Ram

(21 March to 19

april)

From the 24th onward, spiritual revelatio

ns,

life afte

r death, metaphysical studies and

the occult will

capture your interest. The

position of the Sun, Mercury and Venus in

your 8th house is an in

dicator of in

heritances,

sudden gains, alliances and wealth

through

legacies or matrimony. The negativ

e aspect

of your ruler with Venus may add increased

desire – however, your te

ndency to ru

sh into

relationships may result

in disappointment

when sudden rejectio

n occurs. Your a

bility to

cope and work in difficult circumstances will

be enhanced. Steady progress in career will

be achieved. Over-indulgence of th

e amorous

nature may sap your energy. Focus on children,

social activitie

s and sports will c

ontinue. Avoid

gambling. Contentment a

nd progress at work

will be evident o

n the 23rd. The 24th will m

ake

you prone to over-w

ork and burn-out.

TAurusThe bull

(20april – 20 May)

Your physical and emotio

nal well b

eing will be

strongly dependent o

n sound and meaningful

relationships – both social a

nd romantic. T

he

conjunction of Mercury and your ruler, Venus

will favor in

teraction with

diverse kinds of peo-

ple, learning, w

riting, lit

erary activitie

s, journal-

ism, editing, publishing, communicatio

ns, mail,

telecommunication, lin

guistics, sciences, math-

ematics, computers, stock brokerage, astrology,

etc. Nonetheless, emotional tension may be

unavoidable. Financial prosperity and social

success may be achieved via your partner, c

lose

associates or spouse. A

fter th

e 24th, you will

receive a deal of a

ssistance from your spouse.

Your popularity

will also increase. H

owever, the

uncertainty in relatio

nships may be evident.

This position of t

he Sun is also beneficial for

court matte

rs. Progress may be thwarted by

secret enemies, fe

ars and doubts.

CAnCer

The cRab

(21 June – 22 July)

The new Moon on the 27th in your specu-

lation and romantic sector will be a tim

e

of increasing energy, new beginnings

and expanding your awareness through

romance, children and creativity. Predis-

position to gambling, stocks and other

forms of financial speculation will be

evident. Success as a teacher, publisher

or editor is also indicated. Be careful in

carrying out major decisions during the

hours of the void-of-course Moon on the

24th from 1:47 am

till 8:49 pm; the 26th

from 5:18 pm

till 8:08 pm and the 28th

from 4:49 pm

till 7:45 pm. Avoid m

ajor

decisions during these timings. Intellec-

tual projects, debates, media, com

muni-

cations, education, travel and siblings are

positively highlighted on the 23rd. You

will be family oriented with an em

phasis

on parents, home and property m

atters

on the 25th-26th.

Leo 2011

The lion

(23 July – 22 august)

From the 24th onward, your ruler, the Sun

will change signs and drift away from re-

strictive Saturn – an indicator that you

will progressively open up the boundaries

of your life. Last week, you paid your dues.

This week you can expect to reach a peak of

recognition and responsibility. Jealousy and

resentfulness are the real dangers. Here is

considerable business acumen. An emo-

tional involvement in family and domestic

matters will be evident. Your predisposition

to work extremely hard and too fervently

can lower your energy reserves resulting

in burnout. Sleuth-like ability for research

based work may be present. Changes at

home, refurbishments or shifting of resi-

dence may be a possibility. It is also prob-

able that your work may be home based.

Financial rewards will be immense espe-

cially on the 23rd.

sCorpio

The ScoRpion

(23 october – 21 noveMber)

From the 25th onward, your potential

will increase and a fairly easy passage

through career may be accomplished. A

good rapport with others will be formed.

Partnerships will flourish. Limitations felt

last week will dissipate as the Sun crosses

your ascendant after the 23rd. The Sun

will bestow vitality and augment your

recuperative powers. Many intellectual av-

enues will be explored. A need for change

and variety in social and love life will be

sought. Luck factor will also improve after

the 27th with the new Moon. Social obli-

gations, networking, friendship and merg-

ing with others will prove lucrative on the

23rd. Behind-the-scene activities, solitude

and spiritual retreats are indicated on the

25th-26th. Your personal power will re-

ceive a boost in a positive direction on the

27th-28th. Joint finances, gifts, inheritanc-

es and legacies are likely this week. Health

will improve.

Your sTAr

THis weekDr. Zaibun nisa

62 Sunday PluS October23, 2011

Zodiac

GeminiThe Tw

inS

(21 May – 20 June)

Your ruler, Mercury in close proximity with

the planet of love and fortune, Venus will

add passion, intensity and a need for good

rapport within relationships. The tendency

to fall in love at first sight will be predomi-

nant. Impressive creativity will be evident.

Predilection for luxury and keenness to make

clever investments are also indicated. Venus

will favor partnerships, aesthetics, artistic

pursuits, cosmetics, garments, ornaments,

music, singing, cinema, entertainment, con-

veyance, etc. Financial windfalls are also in

the picture. After the 24th, efficiency at work

and distinction are indicated. Home and

family will be of above average importance

on the 23rd-24th.

VirGo The ViRgin

(23 august – 22 septeMber)

Your ruler in close proximity to the planet

of love, Venus will bestow a pleasing dis-

position, elegant manners, sophistication

and an appreciation for the arts. Your so-

cial life will blossom. You will attract love

and money. You will be primed to fall in

love. Literature, information, learning, liter-

ary pursuits, siblings, relatives and short-

distance travel will appeal to you. From

the 24th onward, you will become more

communicative, eager to study, investi-

gate and impart knowledge. Your personal

power for accomplishment will be at its

peak on the 23rd-24th. Financial dealings

will be lucrative on the 26th.

sAGiTTArius

The aRcheR

(22 noveMber – 21 DeceMber)

After the 23rd, the Sun, Mercury and Ve-

nus in your 12th house are an indication

of hidden, restrained and secret matters.

You may prefer to conceal things from

public view. Involvement with huge in-

stitutions such as hospitals, charitable

organizations or prisons is likely. Spiri-

tual pursuits will be appealing. You may

in danger of isolating yourself. A clan-

destine love affair is indicated. Career

progress is likely on the 23rd. Be careful

while dealing with your superiors on the

24th. Friendships, group associations

and social connections will be produc-

tive on the 26th. Your efforts will be best

accomplished in private and solitude

may be a necessary ingredient on the

27th-28th. Your personal power will be

enhanced on the 29th-30th. You may be

vulnerable to arms and shoulder pains.

Watch your lower abdom

inal tract.

Health may be delicate on the 23rd.

pisCesThe FiSh

(19 February – 20 March)

From the 24th onward, foreign affairs, higher

education and long-distance travel w

ill ap-

peal to you. The yearning to

study religion,

philosophy and law will be evident. True

dreams and visions may be experienced.

A love of th

e foreign and exotic w

ill exist.

The Sun in the 9th house will f

avor lawyers,

judges, clerics and spiritual people. Your part-

ner or spouse will be a source of stre

ngth for

you on the 23rd. Monetary gains are likely on

the 26th. Luck, spirituality

, benefactors and

mentors are positively highlighted on the

27th-28th. AquArius

The waTeR beaReR

(20 January – 18

February)

The Sun will be at it

s zenith by the 24th – an indi-

cation of good fortune and progress. The potential

to rise will b

ecome a reality fo

r many Aquarians.

On the other h

and, you may become completely

career oriented and may eventually have to

carry

considerable responsibility. You will b

e revered in

your community. Gifts

, sudden financial gains and

increments are likely on th

e 23rd. Higher learning,

foreign transactions, intellectual and geographical

journeys are positively highlighted on the 26th. Fa-

vors from superiors and an enhanced public repu-

tation are likely on th

e 27th-28th. Health

will im-

prove with the new Moon from the 27th onward.

LibrA The ScaleS

(23 septeMber – 22 october)

Mystery, secrets, intrigue and deep passions

will be evident. Your ruler close to the plan-

et of intellect will bestow literary abilities,

speaking prowess and business acumen.

Long distance journeys, spirituality, philoso-

phy and law are also highlighted. From the

24th onward, finances will be your top prior-

ity. You will earn from stocks, shares, social

connections and covert means. Thus your

sources of income will multiply this week.

You will also be able to influence others

through the spoken or written word. Career

prospects will improve with the new Moon

on the 27th. Covert and hidden tactics will

aid your progress on the 23rd. Your power

of accomplishment will be at its peak from

the 24th evening at 9pm till the 26th.

CApriCorn

The goaT

(22 DeceMber – 19 January)

From the 24th onward, a large collection

of new and inspiring friends will be formed.

Success will be achieved through group en-

terprises. You may become the hub of your

social circle. Many of your hopes and aspi-

rations will be fulfilled after the 25th. Job

opportunities will be rampant. Education,

travel, law and large systems of thought

will be auspicious on the 23rd. A positive

reputation and career progress is likely on

the 26th. An active social network will be

essential to your progress on the 27th-28-

th. Look after your ear, nose and throat.

Look after your health on the 25th-26th.

Nonetheless, the Sun moving away by the

23rd will ease major health issues.

63Sunday PluSOctober23, 2011

Hina Butt is a young, fiesty and vibrant label which has been taking Lahore by storm. Owned by the extremely enigmatic and stylish Hina Butt, Teena is a label which personifies Hina Butt’s style. The young designer works with bright and vibrant colours, and plays with a variety of embellishments to pro-duce outfits which are eye-catching and interesting. Her designs are for the woman out there, especially those who enjoy dressing up and creating an impression.

Available at Tehxeeb, Labels, Fashion Pakistan Lounge and Fashion District in Lahore and L’Atelier Islamabad

PICKS OF THE WEEK


Label Teena

Veranda Bistro, located in the popular dining and shopping district of Lahore, is an upscale Mediterranean restaurant that is all about buzz. The inviting Euro-contemporary ambiance offers an energetic, yet relaxing backdrop to enjoy the fine Mediterranean cuisine, specialty drinks and artistic desserts. They are offering Afternoon Tea from the month of October, its first come first serve policy, so delight your taste buds and enjoy a serene chai at the Bistro. From 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm daily.

Loca-tion: 6L, Gulberg II, Lahore, Pakistan.

Chai is Chic

Possibly the most enigmatic amongst Pakistan’s theatre producers, Nida Butt brought to life Chicago and Mamma Mia, elaborately planned productions which played to full houses and standing ova-tions. Made For Stage is one of the first companies in Pakistan that has dared to produce musicals with live orches-tras and extravagant production values. Displaying her new creation ‘The Musical, Har Na Mano’, revolves around a char-acter called Saif Salaam who travels to Lyari to train with the best boxing coach in Pakistan. The play is written by Faraz Lodhi and Uns Mufti, and the music has been composed by Hamza Jafri.

Location: October 22 – November 13 @ The Karachi Arts Council

We at Sunday Plus are sharing our exclusive recommendations with all our readers. Read on for the best buys, the trendiest brands and the most enticing eateries that you need to know about. We slog through the jungle to bring you the hippest happenings and must-have information, right here in your copy of Sunday Plus: your essential weekend luxury.

Karachi the Musical Arrives

HOTTEST, NEWEST, LATEST…

To find a place, a place where you’re heard. A place that understands. A place where monopolies do not exist and the only agenda is to create outstanding work, individually and as a team. An artist’s utopia, where quality counts,most. Asmaa Mumtaz is a global Pakistani who believes women should confidently express their individuality and develops their unique styles. Her philosophy encourages women to embrace their inner selves and boldly voice their feelings through what they wear and how they wear it. So make your appointment at the dresser and indulge scrumptious pampering.

Location: 140 Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan.

The Dresser

Our celebrity judge is Juggun KazimAnswer the above question and win a special Garnier gift hamperEmail: [email protected]

How to get rid of dark circles instantly?QUIZ TIME

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