“We want to provide our clients everything at just a click away,” says Zainab Malik of Brand Central. “We have been working on this project for a year now and we feel that our software is exactly where it should be to handle such a venture.”

Focused on Pakistanis residing in Canada, Europe, USA, UK and the Scandinavian countries, Brand Central is trying to bring the taste of home with just a click away. “We have done extensive market research in these areas and have figured out what people are looking for and that is what we want to cater to.”

A wide range of designers and retail conglomerates are on board including Threads & Motifs, Cross Stitch, Needles, Koel, Rabia- Slate, Deepak Perwani, Shamael, Layla Chatoor, Feeha Jamshed, Maheen Karim, Ayesha Hashwani, Farida Hasan, Ayesha Somaya, Amna Aqeel, Ayesha Khurram, Nasreen Shaikh, Ali Xeeshan and Rana Nauman for clothes and Arammish and Tony&Guy for beauty products.

“People have been so kind to us,” continues Malik, “Deepak Perwani just said are you [catering to a] niche? Where do I sign? The response has been great as far as our stockers go.”

Brand Central will not only be housing local designers but have also reached out across the border to widen their range by adding seven Indian designers to their roster including Mini Bindra, Arjum Kapoor, Rakesh Agarwal, Vikram Fundus to name a few.

“What we have in store for the website is state of the art,” continues Malik. “Since we deal in the business of fashion and have a successful magazine, we know how people want fashion presented. Each outfit will have a ramp walk so that the client can see how the outfit will look on a real person and get a sense of the flow of the material. Along with this, we will be adding specific descriptions to the outfits.”

This new venture can be best described as the local Net a Porter. To ensure credibility and to assure the client that there will be no credit card tampering or theft, all transactions will be made from Dubai. “We have an entire IT unit set there that’ll be taking care of the transactions and payments,” she adds.

From choosing every outfit they stock to utilising their contacts in the fashion industry, Brand Central will provide services such as making appointments for their clients with designers they desire to see regarding bridal options. This full service e-store is set to raise the bar for online shopping from Pakistan. “Our primary focus is to attract Pakistanis residing outside Pakistan so they can not only keep up with trends, but also know what is en vogue in Pakistan as far as lifestyle goes,” she says.

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

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Faiza Samee

Faiza Samee presented a collection of print-on-print. Her vibrant prints opened the first act of the finale with flared pants and gypsy tops. Ranging from monochromatic pants paired with funky prints, Samee made it all work. She is most definitely better at luxury prêt and bridals. Faiza’s prêt line is wearable and fun which most Pakistanis can relate to — not something we can say for other designers.

Maheen Karim

This designer opened her Paradise collection with a stunning monochromatic web-like printed dress on Fayeza Ansari. Maheen Karim’s infusion of brown tones into the monochrome added to the look and set her apart. She focused more on her swirly Roberto Cavalli-like prints and cuts. Only she could merge all the warm colour tones into one outfit and make it work. However, her embellishments need more structure and time. The collection overall was cohesive, with the elimination of the embellishments which weren’t as exciting as one would have expected from Karim.

ZONG promotes new talent

This segment takes the cake for creativity and structured designs. First up Mahgul for Nasreen Sheikh presented her Archival collection based on the images from the civil and military gazette. Appliquéd images on pants and sheer organza tops, the collection was monochromatic and made a statement. This no-fuss collection was simple and yet made the impact on the ramp that any collection needs to make.

Arooj Ahmed was another shining star in this segment with her funky prints. The colour palettes in the collection majorly consist of blues and oranges, with other vibrant shades used to accentuate the palette. Ahmed has played with the basic silhouettes by cut lines to make them more altered and inimitable, giving a contemporary look to nature’s beauty. Ruffled tops with almost a fan-like effect added drama to the collection and that is what one likes to see from an emerging young designer.

Mohsin Ali presented his Sustainable Fashion collection. The aesthetic inspiration for the women’s wear collection is drawn from traditional basket weaving which was reflected in the silhouettes and textures of the garments. He played around with woven fabric in white and grey but added character with his cane accessories. From the shoes to head gear, his collection was all about making a statement with the accessories.

Daniyal Mubarik’s collection titled Global Culture took inspiration from different cultures around the world and merged it together. Outfits with British notch collars blended with traditional Japanese kimonos and Indian saris mixed with Arabic turbans and African drapes among many others. Indeed, the depiction of different cultural motifs is demonstrative of the yin-yang philosophy and shows how seemingly contrary elements can exist in artistic harmony.

Khaadi Khaas

The second act opened with Khaadi Khaas’s tribal-inspired collection. While the collection had some great elements along with funky internal linings, there were some pieces that had the typical Khaadi aesthetic. The Afghan inspired jewellery deserved a shout out. Metallic belts and shoes were all the rave. While they kept up with the monochromatic trend, Khaadi Khaas incorporated blue accents merged with maroon in their collection.

Muse

Each year it seems as if Muse uses the same techniques to create new motifs. And while we all love recurring trends, there comes a time when these trends become redundant. Even though Muse uses top quality fabric, their latest collection European Palaces didn’t do any wonders on the ramp. The rosette filled blouses were done three years ago and now they have just become boring to see. With so much potential, Muse needs to step away from the yawn-factor and try something new and different.

Wardah Saleem

Wardah Saleem colour blocked her monochromatic aesthetic with vibrant prints. In her collection, she uses flamboyant colours like yellow and turquoise while infusing appliqué accents. However, the most interesting parts of Saleem’s collection were accessories and shoes. Multi-coloured accessories with Charlotte Olympia’s cobweb patterns on the shoes. It is fun to see how designers are now expanding their range into accessories and shoes to complement the look of their collection. From jelly sandals to formal shoes, Saleem had it all.

Ali Xeeshan

This designer closed the first act with his all white collection. Sometimes it is important to understand the extravagance that can be created with just one colour makes the impact one wants. What worked for Ali Xeeshan, apart from the drama, were individual pieces from the collection. The embroideries carried on from his bridal week collection, with a similar aesthetic. His over-the-top style might not be everyone’s cup of tea but it is undeniable that Xeeshan knows how to put up a great show.

HSY

PSFW came to an end with HSY’s dramatic collection. HSY knows how to rock an event. Male models walked out in I Love HSY T-shirts and the ladies in shirts with his signature emblem emblazoned on them. It was not the collection of the evening but HSY created drama with crushed chiffon, embroidered pants and Patiala shalwar-inspired jumpsuits. Male models came out carrying oversized travel bags that added to the collection.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st, 2013.                       

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Zonia Anwaar

The designer’s Baronial Kremlin collection was highly safe and slightly bland. She had used a wide range of colours – from corals to the on trend green with cowl backs. However, the designer needs to experiment more. With her second year showing at PSFW one would expect this young designer to let loose and experiment with cuts and styles. While there was movement and fluidity in the fabrics she had used, the collection bored the audience, as there wasn’t any variation.

Rizwan Beyg

This designer’s collection paid homage to the artisans of Pakistan with a fantastically fun collection. Even though truck art is overdone and over with, Rizwan Beyg’s collection pumped new life into truck art. Thigh-high boots with intricate truck art done stole the show. While the gypsy style tunics ranged from vibrant solid colours, the spunk was added by the shoes and handbags. Beyg really pushed his boundaries and created an entire range of handbags and shoes. From peep toe sandals to sky-high wedges ­— he had it all. It is tough to use multiple loud colours together and pair them with loud accessories and still make it all work. The truck art satchel would have to be one of the most on trend accessory on the ramp.

Being one of the only designers so far to have presented a menswear line also, Beyg used the same truck art theme on leather pants, belts, briefcases and shoes. Beyg’s collection set the bar very high for the first act and sadly his creativity could not be matched.

Nida Azwer

She presented her 1880s-inspired collection using floral and animal motifs. With silk being her primary medium, Nida Azwer presented prints incorporating floral and animal motifs. One can never go wrong with Azwer’s prints – especially the ones with a Parisian or French aesthetic touch to them, which were pretty. Azwer has been known for her screen prints and block prints, but it will be interesting to see her incorporate more elements in her collection.

While the prints were funky, the cuts were safe and wearable. Overall, the collection was pleasing to the eye.

Mohsin Ali

The Nokia Fluorescent by Mohsin Ali closed the first act of the evening, but it was hard to figure out what was happening on the ramp. While the designer worked with geometric prints in neon and fluorescent colours, he had also used geometry in his cuts. With the exception of one well structured, monochromatic geometric, off-shoulder dress, the rest of the collection made one dizzy with busy prints. It was hard to digest that this collection came from Ali, who is known for making things work.

What killed some of the outfits would have to be the oversized embellished flowers, either on the back or the front of the outfits.

Layla Chatoor

Layla Chatoor opened her show with some pieces that would be better suited for bridal week than prêt but she moved into some printed silks and embellished outfits. Some snake print slithered its way onto some of the outfits but sadly, it just didn’t work.

From embellished capes to silk dresses, Chatoor’s line needed more structure and cohesiveness. Better luck next time.

Sana Safinaz

The duo opened the second act with a bang! With their new store already launched in Karachi, they are every girl’s newest best friend; offering clothes which might just kill. SanaSafinaz’s collection made you want to jump up-and-down gleefully. It was by far, the best collection of the second act of the evening with no one even coming close to stealing their thunder. This resort chic collection had it all, from peek-a-boo shoulders to over-extended bell sleeves with no fuss, clean cut designs that were stylish not just on the ramp but even on the street.

Hues of lime green, rust with black-and-white, SanaSafinaz had a loud floral/tribal-esque aesthetic touch to their collection.

Adnan Pardesy

Adnan Pardesy’s collection was by far one of the worst of the evening. Pardesy is known for his cuts and pleats and somehow everything in this collection was a miss. The designer presented multiple versions of white gowns with metallic accents. His collection titled Ellipsis was heartbreaking.

It did not make you wait for more or even for it to be continued.

Karma

The Gatsby collection by Karma was a breath of fresh air. The ’1920s romance came alive on the ramp as Maheen Kardar pushed her limits and put out one of the best collections the design house has ever created. With the exception of four outfits that pulled the collection down, Karma’s collection was flawless, innovative and uber trendy. The monochromatic embellished pants and dresses were dramatic, en vogue and very Gatsby! From the embellished head gear to the encrusted cigarettes Karma could do no wrong on the ramp. She had not just taken an idea but also understood the philosophy of the era she was representing and as a result put out a collection that was sound and very well thought-out.

Chunky pearls and diamantes, Karma had played around with a new aesthetic which worked for the design house.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2013.

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Feeha Jamshed

An ode to the classic black and white combo can only be so appetising, especially if it’s mostly light cotton fabric on a ramp that has seen some beautiful digital prints on silk. But among the shiny silks and carousel of colours, Feeha’s collection hit the spot by being edgy, wearable and well-stitched. Fusing ’50s and ’60s fashion with ’90s style, Feeha’s neatly tailored safari suits, dresses, shoulder-bearing tunics and funky pants made a fashion statement and were a refreshing break from printed silks and embellishments. There was even a lab coat-inspired shirt paired with a belt, echoing a signature Feeha Jamshed look of the wide silhouette narrowing at the waist in order to keep the outline feminine. Leather hints on pockets and jackets were interesting, and we wish that she had played with them some more. Standouts included skeletal cutout backs, a pair of futuristic silver harem pants and a funky pair of pants layered from thigh to ankle. The collection was a nice change from her jumpsuits which we loved but are bored with.

Ayesha Hashwani

Ayesha has set the bar high for herself when it comes to presenting fashionable collections. With excellent draperies, cuts and a knack for making her outfits work without making a fuss. She presented long bell sleeves, different coloured linings, monochromatic pants and tasseled fringes. While the collection was not cohesive, the shaded purple cape and pants with a tasseled fringe was simple, understated and stylish — easily the biggest hit of the collection.

Shehla Chatoor

Shehla’s prints and cuts lit the ramp on fire and set a high standard that some designers could not meet later on in the evening. The Greek-inspired collection had an entire set of dresses, togas and leather shorts. Lime green is the ‘it’ colour of the season and Shehla Chatoor made sure that this delicious green made a statement in her collection. Fia walked out wearing a gold mesh dress draped with lime green and detailed with gold leather. Peek-a-boo shoulders, wrap dresses and gladiator sandals completed the perfect resort collection.

Fahad Hussayn

It was high drama on the ramp for this designer, with a morbid, ghastly vibe delivered by eerie headpieces. Models balanced elaborately made headpieces with eagles and other small birds, as well as folded metal leaves that completely covered their eyes. The attractive digital prints in watery hues also incorporated birds’ wings on dresses, kimono-type shirts, chiffon dresses and jackets. While there was a lot of theatrical styling, the cuts and drapes were forgettable. What did stand out were the men’s waistcoats; digital prints in blues and greys on white, stitched neatly into fitted waistcoats. We can see fashion savvy ladies rocking these too! Fahad Hussayn’s showstopper was an over-the-top dress embellished with metal and which showed that he is not afraid to take risks but often ends up creating pieces that leave us wondering who will wear them.

Somal Halepoto

This designer presented a collection with a Sania Maskatiya gone wrong feel to it. Showing colour blocked outfits paired with prints, Halepoto showed boyfriend blazers, ponchos, chiffon tops, culottes, capris and kameezes. With a Zara-like aesthetic, the collection had some interesting elements that were worth noticing. The biggest hit of this collection out have to be the wooden bib and metallic collars.

Nickie Nina

The designer duo closed the first act of day two with their Byzantine and Medieval heraldry collection. Metallic accents, deep V backs, stripped and sheer pants, and cutwork were all the rage for Nickie Nina this season. The gold and white slinky jumpsuit and the detailed cutwork they presented were the best elements from the collection.

Yahsir Waheed

This designer’s over-sized pants were not flattering on models who have slim figures — we can’t imagine what they would look like on regular ladies who have a bit of meat! While the cotton and chikan pant suits and kimono shirts didn’t quite work well for this collection, his tribute to Pakistani folk art in the form of digital prints was interesting. Prints in neon green, blue and a deep pink made for attractive dresses, shirts and tunics. Standouts were a kimono-type shirt with phrases such as the typical ‘dekh magar pyaar se’ written in Urdu, as well as a knee-length dress that had beautiful eyes printed on them. We wish he had played with structures and silhouettes instead of doing the over-sized pants which were far too baggy to look good.

Asifa & Nabeel

This collection was the best the designer duo has ever put out — after some questionable fashion choices in the past — but it still needed a great deal of editing. Inspired by the work of determined young artist Omar Rehman, who suffers from cerebral palsy, the duo used the muted and somber colours of Rehman’s paintings in their collection. Lace, embroidered borders and cutwork were all used on chiffons and crepe silks in beige and white with some moss greens. Short, A-line shirts without slits, asymmetrical chiffon tops and strapless shirts with capes dominated the ramp. The vibe of the collection was soft and feminine, but the finishing needed work as some camisoles were too large for the shirts and one or two outfits were not over-locked. Nevertheless, it was great to see the duo present a fashion-forward collection that is wearable.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2013.                    

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LAHORE: Print, print and more print is what Day 1 at the Pakistan Fashion Design Council (PFDC) Sunsilk Fashion Week entailed.

In a nutshell, this season seems to be headed towards extravagance via prints and solids with minimal to no embellishments. It is without a doubt safe to say that PFDC knows how to put on a show. Here’s the breakdown:

Tapu Javeri

Fashion Week in Lahore opened with a bang with Tapu Javeri’s Tapulicious collection. Collaborating with Sadaf Malattere, Wardha Saleem, Adnan Pardesy and Rizwan Beyg, the collection had signature elements from each of the designers. Sadaf Malaterre’s fringe paired with Adnan Pardesy’s structured pleats wrapped with Wardha’s psychedelic prints, the collection was eye-catching with a number of hits-and-misses. While Fayeza Ansari sporting a funky eye patch was edgy, Mehreen Syed’s showstopper dress looked like a bad costume choice for Dracula-land. From Patiala shalwars to Western short dresses, the collection had a mixture of cuts and colour combos; however, the lime green mini dress was by far the best thing to come out of the collection.

Sublime by Sara Shahid

Lahore’s go-to-prét designer showed her latest collection titled NOW, featuring primarily solid neon-coloured outfits that were simple, wearable and bang on trend. Cybil’s outfit with solid block prints stood out and the wrap-around-neck hugging halters were a hit. Sara played a lot with drop shoulder tops and flowing drapery, which were plain and pretty. However, the chunky elastic bands in the back of jumpsuits looked slightly tacky. What did not work in Sublime’s favour were the black-and-white striped shirts with pink embroidery.

Sania Maskatiya

Aghaaz was one of the best collections of the evening, inclusive of macaroon colours with a hint of neon. Sania Maskatiya is one designer who not only understands print the best, but also has a knack for producing some of the best print-on-print we’ve seen so far. Maha Burney’s styling with the chain wrapped buns and plaits were a hit. It was hard to find anything amiss in this collection and with the exception of two outfits, the entire collection was spot on. Kudos to Maskatiya for incorporating the lacha in her collection. It was refreshing to see the traditional female village-wear be translated onto the ramp, revamped by Maskatiya. It is hard to pick a favourite, but the peek-a-boo mustard top paired with dark blue pants would have to be one of the best outfits in the collection. With Kiran Chaudhry as the showstopper, Sania Maskatiya’s show came to a smashing end.

FnkAsia

Unfortunately, this brand was neither funky nor Asian. Even though the collection was better than what we have seen come out from FnkAsia in the past, it was hard to understand the design concept. With a few hits and a lot of misses, FnkAsia’s saving grace had to be the very first sari on the ramp — a monochromatic blouse paired with a loud colour block sari. Another piece that stood out was the lime green and black top that was not just complementary but bang-on trendy. Humaima Malik’s showstopper red dress was an interesting piece coming from this fusion line, but not well draped.

Élan

The first act of Day 1 at PSFW closed with Élan’s thundering collection, Ode to a Nightingale. Inspired by Keats’ poem, the collection is an expression of transcending the human condition of despair and monotony and feeling one with the nightingale in its blissful state of freedom and happiness. Carrying on with her love for the orient, designer Khadijah Shah took her collection from last year further by developing more structured prints. Élan has always been known for its luxury prét, and not only were the prints luxurious but her cuts wer equally fascinating. Funky geometric accessories added to the entire look of the collection. The biggest hit of the collection would have to be the balloon skirt. It is well-structured and flattering — it might not appear on the racks, but fashion-forward ladies will definitely want to be seen in it. The showstopper dress worn by Mehreen Syed was one of the only embellished pieces; however, with this collection Élan’s prints stole the show and upstaged the showstopper.

Misha Lakhani

The newest sensation on the block presented a very wearable, laid-back collection. Misha’s collection had Karachi’s quintessential no-fuss element, with a major focus on cuts and her signature high-slit shirts with unfinished edges. From toga-style maxis to open window backs, Misha also experimented with sari-like draperies. What funked up Misha’s collection would most definitely be her gota embellished duppatas and casual flip-flops. But the designer’s strongest assets are luxury prét and formal wear; sadly, Lahore missed her beautiful embellishments.

Akif Mehmood

This designer really needs to either snap out of the tribal zone or learn how to make it work to his advantage. With the sacrificial cow-inspired aesthetic, this collection would have to be one of the biggest disappointments of the evening. Only two separate pieces from the entire collection were worth looking at — one being a pair of rust pants with appliqué work and the other a pair of monochromatic pants.

Maria B

Maria B’s collection closed the first day of fashion week. The Lahore-based designer has been in the industry for over a decade now and has shifted her focus to prét. While it was nice to see Maria B do something different for a change, she played it safe with cuts and colour options. The collection got a little monotonous and boring towards the end. We saw cotton prints stitched as jumpsuits and shirts. The collection on its own resembled Muse’s lookbook but the styling of her show was distracting — large aviators killed the look of the collection.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28^th, 2013.

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LAHORE: The wait is over. The coolest new retail outlet has finally arrived as Sania Maskatiya opens her very own flagship store in Lahore. Situated on the bustling MM Alam Road, the store transports you to Sania’s world of creativity.

“It’s just been two years for our brand and we are extremely excited to be able to expand into a standalone store in Lahore,” says Maskatiya. “We endeavour to bring all that the Sania Maskatiya brand has come to be known for in terms of aesthetics, design and service to Lahore.”

The new store is now the home to all Sania Maskatiya lines and specific collections, from her popular block prints, embroideries and every day kurtas along with evening couture and formal wear as well as her recent collection Naqsh, which was showcased at Fashion Pakistan Week (FPW) 5 in Karachi.

The concept store’s interior has been designed by Yousaf Shahbaz of Strata and it’s a breath of fresh air to see the interior designer incorporate Maskatiya’s design concepts into the store’s interior. With faux grass lining the entrance and geometric structures hanging around the store, it almost feels as if Maskatiya’s clothes were taken as inspiration to create the store.

Maskatiya will be showing her new collection Aghaaz at PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week (PSFW). “Our new collection for PSFW celebrates the opening of this new space,” continues Maskatiya. “Paying tribute to the bold and vibrant along with the pastel hues that are representative of the magical city of Lahore, Aghaaz seeks to excite the senses as one enters a garden of new beginnings.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27^th, 2013.                    

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Some elders advise their daughters and daughters-in-law to have children early on, either in the hope of having multiple grandchildren or to tie them down in their marriage. In rural areas, there is hardly any concept of family planning, and teen pregnancies are very common. While society is moving away from the trend of getting girls married at the ages of 15 and 16, there is still a segment of society where girls marry at young ages and become mothers before 20.

“What people don’t realise is that a woman is ideally ready to bear a child after the age of 21,” says renowned gynecologist Farrukh Zaman. “Teen pregnancies are harmful for girls because their body tissues are underdeveloped. Even emotionally, they are not ready to become mothers.”

“There are no positives of teen pregnancies,” continues Dr Zaman. “C-sections are higher at an early age with a greater chance of a rocky pregnancy resulting in high blood pressure.”

Dr Zaman also highlights that women who start their families after 25 or closer to 30 are able to provide a more secure environment for their family. “They have completed their education by the age of 30, and have a secure standing in society,” urges Dr Zaman. “And since the woman is mature enough to understand herself, she is able to provide for the child in a much better way.”

Psychologist Dr Muhammad Mujtaba sheds light on the effects young pregnancies can have on the mental health of teen mothers.

“Firstly, social stigma is an issue not only with teenage mothers but also with their children. They suffer abuse, mostly as a result of their impulsive acts like aggression etc,” says Dr Mujtaba. “Because their mothers are not able to bond with them properly or give emotional support, the children are also more prone to give physical and emotional abuse to them,” he continues. “As a result, they become more delinquent, more involved in drugs and sexual activity and more likely to leave education earlier than the average child of the same social strata [born to an adult female].”

Teen mothers are more vulnerable than adult mothers to psychological issues. According to experts, teen mothers: 

1.   Are more prone to act aggressively.

2.   Are less tolerant to the child’s demands.

3.   Are less able to relate to their children.

4.   More prone to do deliberate self harm.

5.   Are likely to either physically or emotionally abuse their children.

6.   Are more likely to have separations or divorces and become single parents.

7.   Are more likely to suffer from depression and become dependent on drugs, especially sleeping aids.

9.   Are likely to be physically abused themselves by their spouse or people around them.

10. Less likely to continue education after having children.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23^rd, 2013.

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LAHORE: KHAS opened its doors to Lahore on April 19 with a bang. Lifestyle stores have recently become the latest fad, with export houses manufacturing their own line of linen and terry products for the local market. Sadaqat Group’s Hina Shoaib announced the launch of its retail chain under the name of Khas across Pakistan. “We focus on presenting our customers with a versatile range of bed linen, exclusive hand-knotted carpets from Rugs and Home, decorative accessories and trendy ready-to-wear apparel,” says Hina Shoaib.

With stores like So Kamal already in the market, Khas adds another avenue for home retail. Keeping up with the fad, it also offers in-house linen of varying quality, from a 500 thread count luxury line to a 200 thread count hotel line. It also trickles down to children’s rooms and printed linen. Along with linen, the store is also housing furniture by Designers Guild, imported accessories, crockery, pottery and terra products from China. Along with home decor items, the brand has also launched its own in-house apparel line under the name of Paris Boutique that is offering ready-to-wear shirts.

“We want to make Khas your one-stop shop for everything lifestyle-related,” says Shoaib. “We also have a team working with us to create leather trays and accessories.” From candles to table runners, clients can walk in and purchase the entire look of the room and walk out.

Bilal Mukhtar of Bilal Mukhtar Events says, “The city’s increasingly style-focused clientele has created an ambiance of pure luxury and indulgence premised on modern and contemporary interior and designing.”

Situated in the heart of Gulberg on Ghalib Road, the vast expanse of the store is well managed and does not seem cluttered even with the amount of items up for sale. “We are investing Rs200 million to open 10 stores in the next months, including one each in Sargodha and Multan, soon to be followed by Karachi and Islamabad and going up to 100 stores in a span of four years,” confirmed Khurram Mukhtar, CEO of Sadaqat Group.

With a very ambitious plan laid out in front of them, only time will tell how well they are able to deliver.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 22^nd, 2013.                   

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Another wholesome approach used to connect the body, mind and soul with the core of the body is yoga. Recently turned into a fad and a fashion statement, yoga in its true form is a holistic approach connecting the body as a whole. Here we talk to Amna Habib of Arammish Spa who has been practicing yoga for over 25 years and has received extensive training from India regarding the accurate practice of yoga and what it entails.

“Yoga is one of the most serious searches in the world,” begins Habib. “It is the search to find your true self. We are empty carcasses until we don’t know who we are and that is what real yoga enables one to do.”

After training at the Iyengar institute in Puna, India, Habib began her journey to find herself and bring upon other people to partake on this journey to discover themselves. “There are various types of yoga practices and all focus of different discoveries. Some of the basic ones are Kundalini, Astanja and Vinyasa Flow,” she reveals.

Based on the concept of zikar, Kundalini yoga incorporates mysticism and connects it to Sufism. “We basically take a mantra or a set music rhythm and the body utilises the mantra or the music into its movement,” she continues.

Working on the astral part of the body, people usually feel lightheaded-ness and a spirit which is more free. “It ignites the energy from the base of the spine and makes it travel upwards, connecting the metaphysical spheres of the whole,” says Habib. The Kundalini method magnetises the body in a deep alpha state and allows there to be a connection with the core of the body.

Astanja, or the eight limbs of yoga, focuses on self restraint, mental/emotional discipline along with breathing and meditation. “This particular method uses concentration and pranayam (breathing practices) along with Asnas poses to carve out a path towards nirvana,” she says.

This preliminary form of yoga is all about eating right and thinking right. “It allows for one to reach a state of no mind. People are not aware of themselves or their own surroundings and hence are unable to connect and utilise their minds to its full capacity,” continues Habib. “Time is created by our lack of awareness and yoga allows you to achieve this state of timelessness whereby allowing one to lead to nirvana.”

Vinyasa Flow or synchronised living, creates an interconnection with the soul using mind, body and breath. “Being so aware of your every breath and every movement that one experiences every moment of life in a different way,” explains Habib.

This particular method of yoga includes different sets of movement and breathing exercises such as Surya Namaskar. “Various teachers have their own specialised sets that allow for them and their pupils to create the necessary connection,” she adds.

Habib likes to use Sufism in her yoga practices. “Vadanta and Sufism are different practices of the same thing,” says Habib. “My love has always been for the Prophet and my journey is a homage to him.” With the use of names of Allah, Habib creates her own mantra to follow and brings the mysticism of Islam to the practice of yoga. “What yoga does is give you an experience of God,” enlightens Habib, “It’s about the experience and not the physical attributes. I use qawalli to go into haal and not only is it soothing and relaxing but it is also very enjoyable.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2013.

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Using a monochromatic theme, Mo Shah depicted his inner feelings using two very different techniques of two very different masters, Dalí and Warhol. A montage of symbolism, Mo Shah finds beauty in despair and grief and translates it into his art. “His paintings are a melting pot of cultural symbols,” said Sanam Taseer, the gallery owner. “There are elements from around the world and somehow they end up on paper as a cohesive whole.”

While studying finance at New York University, the artist confessed his passion for film, literature and art. “I have always been passionate about the arts and have experimented in many capacities,” expressed Mo Shah. “From holding a DJ residency in lower Manhattan to being the Editor of Ego Magazine’s Film & Music department, I have explored a lot.”

His love for film led to his obsession with photography, which in turn became the primary medium of his recent collection priced between Rs30,000 to Rs45,000. “There are parts that I have shot and some parts that I have created using other mediums, after which i scanned and combined various elements to complete each piece,” explained the artist as he talked about his work. Mo Shah juxtaposed very strong symbols in very mundane scenarios, using monolith and pyramids to create a distance. He used these objects to interpret issues of diversity, history and sociology, and to a certain extent, space-time continuum.

He used traditional architectural monuments to depict the rift caused between eastern and western ideologies. “I am drawn especially to dark subject matters,” expressed Mo Shah and continued, “And that is what I have tried to create. There are images I shoot and incorporate from my travels around the world, which are used partly as commentary on what’s going on around me.”

“Transmission Eternal” had a sense of serenity even in the chaos Mo Shah created, drawing in the viewer. From symbols such as that of the anti-Christ to the mushroom cloud effect on the day of judgement, the artist has a very bold perception of the way the world works around him. His comments on iconic game-changing historical moments were worth looking at. Mo Shah also beautifully summarised America’s historical debacles.

Mo Shah’s technique of using surreal symbols and controversial ideas made his collection groundbreaking. Inspired by pop artists of the ’60s, great works of art can be expected from this young artist.

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

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