Sunday Plus Magazine

september 04, 2011

STYLE | TRENDS | BOOKS | INTERVIEWS | arT | q&A | SOCIETY

TheNation

TRAVEl

STylE

90s minimalismThe return of

RENDEzVouSBest Kept secret:ShEhLa ChaTOOr

INTERVIEWshe’s all that...aNOUShEY

INTERVIEW

Bilal Khan GUITar hErO

romancing chitral

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Rendezvous

InteRvIew

MusIc

tRavel

Top fashion designer Shehla Chatoor talks about her designing skills and her best kept secrets

Cheerful VJ Anoushey shares her secrets of success

New pop sensation Bilal Khan’s take on the music industry and his own creations

Experience the never ending romance of Chitral

inside this weekSeptember 04, 2011

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CorrigendumThe credits of style shoot ‘The pride of a peacock’ published on August 28 were mistakenly printed wrong. The jewellery designer was Reem Abbasi while the model was Amina Baber. The brand was ‘Keepsakes by Reem’. The error is regretted.

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Hollywood

MovIe

style

In conversation with the extraordinary artiste Emma Stone

58 décoRInterior designer Hamza Tarar’s tips for organising your bedroom

56 RepoRtLearn what the celebrities wore on Eidul Fitr

64 pIcks of tHe weekGo through the smart wish-list for the best buys and best picks for everyone

Review of Hollywood blockbuster ‘Crazy, stupid, love’

The latest pret collection of designer Sania Maskatiya

1608 bilal khan guitar herobest kept secretInteRvIewRendezvous

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

dear readers this week we are another exciting issue of Sunday Plus. This week we are in conversation with top fashion designer Shehla Chatoor. Learn about her best kept secrets and exceptional designing skills. new pop sensation Bilal Khan shares his views about the music industry and his future plans. The radiant VJ Anoushey is also in conversation with us this week. Learn about her passion for anchoring, acting and modelling. This week take a tour with us to Chitral and experience the never ending romance of the place. discover what the celebrities wore on eid in our special report. For Hollywood fans we are carrying in this issue interview of the talented actress emma Stone. interior designer Hamza Tarar is back with his blog exclusively for you. read the tips that he gives to organise your bedroom in a better way. on our style pages see the latest pret collection of designer Sania maskatiya.

Send us your comments and feedback at [email protected]

September 04, 201108 Sunday PluS

rendezvous

By Bishakha Kunwar

BestWe live in a world where most fashion designers wedding attire with haute couture. the name shehla is a breath of fresh air in such a situation. sample her impeccable cuts, intricate yet controlled detailing and her ability to construct and present high fashion garments successfully. she leaves no room for criticism and shows that she is a woman to reckon with when it comes to couture creations.

hehla is one of the few designers who has larg-ley stayed away from all the pomp and publicity and let her work speak. Despite being in the business for more than fifteen years, she has mostly remained aloof from the media. But all eyes were on her after she participated in Fash-ion Pakistan Week 2010 where she made her presence felt. Her forte lies in the deftness with which she combines her exceptional designing skills with contemporary designs.

A true couturier at heart, Shehla’s collection always defies expectation. Shehla Chatoor was formally untrained in fashion. In recent times, she has given us contemporary silhouettes and paid homage to our traditional staples while giving them an international appeal. Shehla has managed to transform traditional textiles and techniques into modern, innovative, structured forms that translate into a contemporary look.

Shehla started life in a very different direc-tion. A business graduate from the University of Houston, her love affair with clothes started with the goal to rediscover her own design aesthetics. Today, her name is synonymous with the finest bridal trousseaus, formal and luxury pret, and western formals. To complement and complete the entire look, Shehla also offers a special line of shoes, bags and accessories. This evolution in taste and style, the strategic decisions and innovations have marked the legendary growth of Shehla Chatoor.

For this season Shehla offers a luxurious mix in her recently showcased collection entitled ‘Birds of Paradise’. This collection drew its inspiration from the shades of a peacock, that created a sense of freedom that Shehla signi-fies. Her pret collection comprises of drapped dresses, jumpsuits in exquisite silks that have

S

Kept secret:

September 04, 2011 09Sunday PluS

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50 thingsshehla chatoor

you didn’t KnoW aBout

Kept secret:

been re-invented and blended with today’s cuts. Each collection is stylish, sophisticated and classy and that’s what best exemplifies Shehla Chatoor’s strength: keeping the es-sence of tradition and reinterpreting and pre-senting it for today. Shehla is also nominated for this year’s Lux Style Awards for achieve-ment in Fashion Design – Luxury Pret.

Shehla’s career is one rooted in rare talent and an unlimited love of fabulous fashion. Few people define a decade of excellence as comprehensively as Shehla Chatoor. Sunday Plus profiles this effervescent but shy designer as she soars to new heights and presents the real Shehla Chatoor to you.

01 The philosophy that Shehla Chatoor swears by every season… shehla Chatoor: First and foremost, do something different. Be innovative and incorporate fresh cuts and ideas at the same time staying true to my signature: re-inventing and working with age old craftsmanship and blending it with today’s cuts. Each collection has to be sophisticated and timeless.

02 How do you create a dif-ferent identity or niche for your customers?Shehla: When clients buy a “SHEHLA”, they know that they are not just buying an outfit, they are investing into an art form that is timeless. The outfit stands out because of its quality and craftsmanship.

03 What are you most comfort-able designing: pret, formal or bridal?Shehla: For me it depends on the season and what inspires me. I do not force myself to design. So whether it is prêt, formal or bridals, if the inspiration is there, they are all equally comfortable.

04You are known for special-izing a modern bridal trousseau, what are your suggestions for our modern brides this season, as far as what’s hot in colour, fabrics, and embroideries and cuts they should be opting for?

Shehla: The most important thing for a bridal trousseau is that the outfits should be timeless, yet practical. For instance, a longer kameez with a gharara can be worn later with a churidaar or pant. Brides should invest in outfits which eventually become heirlooms for next generations. The colours always depend on the seasons. Currently my trousseau col-lection’s palette is in jewelled tones from ruby reds, emerald greens to peacock blues using rich fabrics like jamaywars, tulles, french nets and luxurious velvets. Embroidery, like always, is with maroori, heavy zardozi and mukesh.

The silhouette is streamlined, yet flowy which can be teamed with aezars or churidaars.

05 Where in Pakistan and abroad are your collections stocked?Shehla: My Collections are available locally at Labels (Karachi and Lahore) and Melange Islamabad. Outside Pakistan it is available at OGAAN New-Delhi, India, Glitterati Houston and launching in Studio 8, Dubai very soon.

06What is your take on the ris-


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Despite being in the business for more than fifteen years, she has mostly remained

aloof from the media radar. But all

eyes were on her after she participated in

Fashion Pakistan Week 2010


A living legend

ing number of fashion weeks hap-pening in Pakistan? Why have you stayed away from most of them?Shehla: Fashion weeks are definitely a fantastic opportunity for designers to show their collections and talent. Although I do feel that the participating designers should be screened thoroughly. In Karachi, we have had only two fashion weeks and I have taken part in FPWII. I haven’t shied away at all. In fact I enjoy fashion weeks and will definitely participate in future shows.

07 How do you feel about being nominated for Lux style Awards 2011?Shehla: I feel extremely honoured and

humbled and thankful to God.

08How did your journey as a designer start? Do you have a degree in fashion designing or are you self-taught?Shehla: My journey into the world of fashion started by chance, maybe fate. Upon my return from USA as a business graduate, I could not find what I was looking for in clothes. So I started designing my own clothes, includ-ing my wedding trousseau. This immediately caught peoples’ attention and I was flooded with orders and 15 years later here I am, still loving every minute of it.

09You have been in the indus-

try for over a decade now and yet have been quite discreet, why? Do you cater more to your inter-national clientele or local ones as well?Shehla: I would not call it discreet, but I have been media shy. Although I do realize in today’s time this is not the right course and I am trying to be more available to the media and even my collections are available to a wider clientele at various retail outlets.

10 Is fashion today more than just clothes?Shehla: Fashion is absolutely way beyond clothes. It’s a lifestyle – it’s the way you live, speak and carry yourself. Would love to quote


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Coco Chanel here, “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”

11 What does prêt and couture mean to you?Shehla: Pret is definitely the buzz word at the moment in Pakistan. Our version of prêt is not limited to ready to wear, sold off the rack, standardised outfits. Clients here are looking for luxury and creativity with affordability and accessibility. Couture to me is high end fashion, made to order for a specific client for a specific occasion where extreme attention is given to detail and finishing. It is not limited to just wedding or trousseau. Obviously in Pakistan, bridals, trousseau and wedding wear take center stage when designing couture, but as you can see my couture collection also in-cludes cocktail dresses, jumpsuits and gowns designed for formal balls, awards, etc.

12 When will couture come to mean more than just bridal in Pakistan?Shehla: I believe it has begun already and hopefully more designers will venture into it. I now have clients who come to me to order dresses, which was not the case a few years ago. So things have changed, but we still have a long way to go.

13 What does vintage fashion have that contemporary fashion will never have?Shehla: I am a lifelong devotee of all things vintage. The history and romance of the bygone era that vintage emulates will never be comparable to modern fashion. Modern fashion always turns to history for inspiration. No wonder we see modern celebrities like Kate Moss and Dita Von Tees dressed in vintage.

14 What does easy chic mean to you?Shehla: Effortless dressing, like a pair of jeans and a crisp white shirt with sling backs or a chikan karri kurta with tights and chap-pals. Stylish yet comfortable and elegant.

15 What does success mean to you?Shehla: More than anything, success for me is about self satisfaction. If I am satisfied with what I have designed and achieved, I feel successful.

16 Most classic piece that you have created?Shehla: Quite a few. For instance I did an extremely intricate hand embroidered “single tanka” kashmiri coat. I also love my age-old gara embroidered kameezes and kimonos.

17 Who is your favourite design-er (Local and International)?Shehla: Internationally it depends on the current season, but right now I am loving Kenzo’s prints. But I always love Halston, Alexander McQueen and Vera Wang.

18 Your day starts with….

Shehla: Morning frenzy of my kids going to school, followed by my tea and newspapers.

19 You are addicted to…Shehla: Music and serials. Currently hooked on to “Good Wife.”

20 An unknown fact about yourself…Shehla: Flying phobia…

21One thing you would like to change about yourself…Shehla: Wish I was more patient and not such a control freak.

Brides should invest

in outfits which

eventually become

heirlooms for the next generations.

Currently my trousseau collection’s palette

is in jewelled tones

from ruby reds, emerald greens to peacock blues using rich fabrics

like jamaywars, tulles, french nets and

luxurious velvets.


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22 Style statement…Shehla: My style statement is where my essence meets my expression. It’s not limited to clothes or my wardrobe only, but it extends to my home and even my career.

23 Style icons…Shehla: Queen Rania and Kate Moss.

24 Celebrities you would love to dress…Shehla: Would love to dress up Queen Rania in a classic “Kashmiri Shehla Coat”

25 Your favourite muse…Shehla: A Stylish, confident and elegant woman.

26 Your first fashion creation…Shehla: Was a short fully embroidered satin shift with French net palazzos.

27 Personal weaknesses and personal strengths…Shehla: Personal strengths are that I

am hardworking, determined and committed to my work. I have the ability to cope with failures and learn from my mistakes. Personal failures are that I trust people too easily, I am impatient, I am too focused and need more time to relax.

28 Most beautiful childhood memory…Shehla: Riding bicycles with my brother on the streets without having to worry about the security. Can’t imagine my children doing the same in this current scenerio.

29 A city that inspires you…Shehla: Paris, its rich culture and charm truly inspires me.

30 A person who inspires you the most…Shehla: His Highness the Prince Karim Aga Khan.

31 Dream destination and why…Shehla: Rio, from food, people to sunsets of Copa Cabana.

32 In life if given a second chance would you do anything differently?Shehla: I have absolutely no regrets. I love where I am and what I am doing.

33 The best thing about being a Pakistani…Shehla: Being Pakistani means everything to me. It’s my identity, my roots, it’s who I am, and it’s how the world judges me. I am a die-hard Pakistani. I know we as a nation are going through some very tough times. Yet, I feel there is tremendous potential here and this is why I put all my efforts here.

34 One thing I would change about Pakistan is…Shehla: Corruption, intolerance, terrorism and insecurity,

35 Your journey so far after a decade of excellence…Shehla: The journey has been rewarding, exciting, invigorating, and after 15 years, still going strong.

CLOSET CONFIDENTIAL

36 Summer fashion list for you…Shehla: Bright orange Kaftaan, pair of gold sandals and a cocktail jumpsuit from “Shehlas” Birds of Paradise collection.

37 3 must-haves in anyone’s closet …Shehla: A great pair of jeans, white cotton shirt and over sized tan bag.

38 Recent purchases…Shehla: Brown Kelly bag and gold peep toes.

39 Favourite items in your closet…Shehla: My J Brand, a vintage chinos Erie embroidered silk shirt and Mc Queen skull peep toes.

40Current obsession…Shehla: Scarves.

41 Oldest items in your closetShehla: Old avaiator jacket and Seven jeans.

42 Faux pas…Shehla: Fish tail lenghas I once made!!

FAV-O-METER….

43 Your favourite gadget…Shehla: iPad.

44 Brands you buy…Shehla: Many. From high ends like Mc Queen, Cavalli, Hermes to high street like Mango and Zara. Basically, I buy what I like. I don’t run after brands.

45 Your favourite colours…Shehla: Black and White.

46Your favourite books…Shehla: The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma.

47 Your favourite movie…Shehla: The Social Network

48Your favourite perfume…Shehla: Chanel N°5

49Your comfort food…Shehla: Milk and chocolate chip cookies.

50 Your farewell line…Shehla: People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.

It might have been slow but a music evolution is happening in Pakistan. Much to our surprise, a video released on the internet made by an amateur, which stirred the waves to unveil the new sensation of Pakistan’s music industry: Bilal Khan. Bilal Khan did not choose to go big via the mainstream media, but boomed through social media. His success and smart thinking helped in modernising the music industry.

MUSIC

September 04, 2011 16 SuNday PluS

By Sadaf Pervez

Guitar heroBilal Khan

MUSIC

SuNday PluSSeptember 04, 2011 17

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RENDEZVOUS


By Madiha Syedain

She is smart, she is sassy and she is a style icon ruling the hearts and minds of young people across Pakistan. She began her career as a video jockey and is now a full time TV anchor, hosting her own talk and game shows among others for leading television networks. Her entry into the industry was almost accidental at the young age of 19, but having entered, she has found it to be her métier. The easy-going Anoushey, often regarded as the girl next door, has just launched her most recent project, a fashion venture by the name of Block Seven, known for its affordable yet trendy clothes for the contemporary Pakistani woman. She is also working on a travelogue, and as always, is unafraid to enter new avenues.

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While talking to Sunday Plus magazine, ANOUSHEY ASHRAF reveals her passion for anchoring, acting and modelling and her experience of starting a successful busi-ness venture, ‘Block Seven’ which caters to women Western wear in Karachi.

S+: You have achieved such great suc-cess in your career at an early age. How does it feel to be a youth icon?

Anoushey Ashraf: It feels absolutely brilliant. I firmly believe the youth of Pakistan will bring about the change this country needs to see and representing them, their values and their voice surely is something to be proud off.

S+: Who were the biggest influences

that inspired you to become an MTV VJ, style icon/actress?

Anoushey Ashraf: This might sound strange to many but I take my inspiration from life and things around me, not from any person in particular. I’m inspired by life, nature, travel, success and good work.

S+: What is the scope for VJs in Pakistan?

Anoushey Ashraf: It was great until a short time ago. Music channels have taken the back seat since the inception of multiple news channels and VJ’s like us have had no choice but to move on to becoming full time presenters or hosts. Having said that, I’d still like to add that if a person is just starting out, it’s a great way to get noticed, get experience

ANOUSHEYshe’s all that...

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and learn the ropes of the business.

S+: How do you manage your personal and professional life?

Anoushey Ashraf: Simple, unlike many people in the business, I don’t fill up my plate with too much at a time. I’m very conscious about spending time with my loved ones, enjoying life and working simultaneously.

S+: What has been the role of your

family in your success?Anoushey Ashraf: They’ve been super

supportive throughout and I really wouldn’t have been able to do half the things I have if it wasn’t for them.

S+: How did you start modelling?Anoushey Ashraf: Modelling came

much later. At 18 I walked into the Indus Television office looking for a job as a re-searcher or something in their new depart-ment while I gave my A levels privately. The CEO saw me and made me a VJ for Indus Music. Then, as they say, the rest is history!

S+: What is the hardest thing for you as a new model?

Anoushey Ashraf: I’ve been a televi-sion host so long that with modeling it’s sometimes difficult to give the “serious, sexy” look. I am used to laughing and being myself on television, modeling makes me a little self-conscious but it’s still fun and I’m getting better!

S+: What are the positive sides of model world/fashion world?

Anoushey Ashraf: It gives you a lot of self-confidence and sometimes very good money. It makes a nation follow you and love you etc.

S+: What is important to know about Pakistan and the Pakistani fashion market?

Anoushey Ashraf: People should know that Pakistanis are very open to fashion, in fact they love it to the core but to capture that market one should understand their sensibilities and create ‘wearable’ stuff.

S+: Tell us about your latest venture,

Block Seven. How did the idea come up?Anoushey Ashraf: The lack of afford-

able, trendy and wearable western wear in a city like Karachi was appalling. My sister and I decided to take things into our own hands, launch a business and fill the gap. That’s exactly how Block Seven happened

and it’s been a success and as well as a great learning experience.

S+: You are also a brand Spokes-person for L‘Oreal Paris. How has the experience been?

Anoushey Ashraf: It’s been wonderful. L’Oreal Paris is a massive name world over and being associated with a brand such as this is big enough in itself. I can easily say that this is the first time I’ve worked with such a professional team of people in Paki-stan, so I’ve learnt a lot from this experience. The campaigns I’ve done with them have turned out great too, so let’s just say we’ve really been “worth it” for each other!

S+: Describe your feelings when you were acting for the first time?

Anoushey Ashraf: I was super nervous,

memorizing long lines isn’t be easy but once i decided to relax and get to know my character well, it wasn’t half bad.

S+: In the last two years, we have

seen a mushrooming numbers of VJ on music channels. How do you feel about it?

Anoushey Ashraf: It’s great. The industry has really grown and so has the number of VJs with it. I’m glad to know that I am one of the pioneers of an art that was unheard of in this country before “us”. It’s a massive compliment.

S+: You must have worked in count-less music shows, tell us how many exactly, and which has been your most memorable role to date?

Anoushey Ashraf: I must’ve done more

H H H

than 1000 episodes of my shows altogether. No, jokes aside, I once hosted a show which ran on air five days a week for two and a half years so you can well imagine. My most memorable show to date was IM Requested that I hosted with a little frog called PK People LOVED us!

S+: This year not a single artist could release their album, even top artists like Atif Aslam and Strings. Is our music industry on a decline? If so how can we come out of this situation?

Anoushey Ashraf: I don’t think we are on a decline. Like! I said earlier, it’s taken a bit of a back seat. The government along with big television channels has a lot to do with it. They don’t promote music and art the way they should. People have become obsessed with the news and they need to get out of that rut. But music will have its day in the sun again; Coke Studio has done wonders and the artists you mentioned will hopefully release this year!

S+: Pakistani film making has almost stopped. Play back singers like A Nayyer and many others are out of the scene. Can you please comment?

Anoushey Ashraf: Once again, the government has to do more than its share in terms of the revival of cinemas in Pakistan. From what I last heard, something’s brewing. Even if it’s building 15 new cinemas, it’ll be a start. Playback singers, actors, dancers will all progress once this happens.

S+: What did you learnt from the industry you have worked in?

Anoushey Ashraf: I have grown up in this industry and I love it. Patience and self-confidence are the two big lessons.

S+: What changes would you like to see in the media industry in the next ten years?

Anoushey Ashraf: It’s growing, slowly but surely and it shall find its own course. I could hope for better, more meaningful programming rather than a lot of the crap we see on TV these days, but that’s a far dream. When an industry becomes big, the good comes with a lot of the bad and one just has to accept that I suppose.

S+: Your future plans…Anoushey Ashraf: Always wanting to

do everything but two priorities are to start producing some of my own shows and taking Block Seven places.

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Fast Forward!Personal style…I keep it minimal and comfy. Jeans and a tee is the best way to go.

Your hobbies…I spend half my time researching about places I’d like to visit one day. So travelling comes first, followed by reading, spending time with my dogs and making puzzles.

some beauty advices… I’ve been a victim of fancy facials and creams from around the world until I ultimately realized that there is no better way to look and feel good than to sleep well, have lots of water, vitamins, exercise and a halfway decent diet. And guess what - it all costs next to nothing!

How do you stay in shape?I am horrible when it comes to focused train-ing, gym etc. so I try and mix it all up. I enjoy playing tennis, badminton, running, dancing, swimming, walking etc. three times a week.

Best feature of your body/face…I don’t have any best or worst features. My features are average but they all come together and make a halfway decent face, which is great because I’d hate to have lovely big eyes with a horrible nose.

what are the things a model can-not be without?Self-confidence and the right attitude. Ev-eryone’s attractive; they just need to know it.

what are your favourite dishes from Pakistani cuisines?Mutton chops!!

things you can’t live without…Love, travel, family and my iPhone.

Favourite destination…I’m a true travel junkie so every place becomes an experience of its own whether it’s a village in interior Sindh or the loveliness of NYC. Having said that, I still have two favourites; I love Mumbai city and Stock-holm, Sweden!

Life is…Very, very short so you must try and “live” in every moment. Don’t dream about your dreams, do them!one accessory you can’t leave

without…This one ring I got from H&M three years ago. It somehow goes with everything!

what are you reading nowadays?The latest edition of the National Geographic Magazine.

what are you humming nowa-days?I can sing anything by Coldplay, anywhere, any day...so beware!

things that turn you on…Modesty, honesty, love, cleanliness and a genuine smile.

things that turn you off… Small talk, bad breath and animal cruelty.

one thing you would like to change about Pakistan…The leaders, all of them. anoushey, the successful VJ, model, actress or entrepreneur…The everything!



travel

ByAttiya Iqbal & Hira Hussain

Chitral Chitral was historically known as an independent princely state. After independence, Chitral was the first state to declare accession to Pakistan. In 1970, it was declared a district of Pakistan and attached to the Malakand Division. The Chitral Valley is the historic home to two main ethnic groups, Ancient Chitralis and the Kalasha.

Romancing

he easiest access to Chitral is in the southwest along the Chitral valley towards Jalalabad; this route is open all year and provides direct access to Kabul. However the Pakistan-Afghanistan bor-der prevents this being used as an inter-nal route to Peshawar and the south. The other routes are over mountain passes. To the south, the Lowari Pass (3,200 m or 10,499 ft) leads 365 km (227 mi) to the region of Peshawar. In the north, the easiest route during summer (it is closed by snow in the winter), and the only one which allows the use of pack animals, runs over the Broghol Pass (3,798 m or 12,460 ft) to Afghanistan’s Wakhan

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One of the major attractions of Chitral are the Kalash valleys-the home of the Kafir-Kalash or “Wearers of the Black Robe”, a primitive pagan tribe.

travel

Corridor. To the east, there is a 405 km (252 mi) route to Gilgit over the 3,719 m (12,201 ft) Shandur Pass. And in the west, the Dorah Pass provides an additional route to Afghanistan

The people of the Kalash Valley speak the Kalash language. Urdu is widely spoken and understood in major towns and to some extent Pashto is also spoken.

One of the major attractions of Chitral are the Kalash valleys-the home of the Kafir-Kalash or “Wearers of the Black Robe”, a primitive pagan tribe. There are certain famous places and valleys in Chitral like Garam Chashma valley, Booni, Golen valley, Madaklasht valley, Arandu, Birir, Rumbur and Bumburat

Unlike the rest of Pakistan where cricket dominates, polo is the most popular sport here, with football also widely played. A number of sport festivals and tournaments are held throughout the year, including the Shandur polo tournament held at the high-est polo ground in the world

The first time a polo tournament took place at the Shandur Pass, was in 1936. A British Political Agent, Major Cobb, who was fond of playing polo under a full moon, had the polo ground near Shandur, named. ‘Moony Polo Ground’.

The most exciting polo tournament of the entire Northern Pakistan, is played on top of Shandur Pass, around 3,700 meters above sea level. It is a place unique and exotic in itself, surrounded by some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world. The event marks the annual rivalry between the polo teams of Gilgit and Chi-

tral. The Polo tournament has some added attractions for the visitors; trout fishing at the nearby streams and lakes and a festival of folk dances and music of the Northern Pakistan.

Shandur Top (el. 12,200 feet (3,700 m)) located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is a high mountain pass that con-nects Chitral to the Gilgit in Pakistan.

It is often called the ‘Roof of the World’ where the Hindukush, Pamir and Karakoram ranges meet. The top is flat, a plateau and can be crossed between late April and early November. The grade is very gradual, and the area is crossed by small streams of trout. Grazing in summer is plentiful

The highlight of the festival is the final match between the Gilgit and Chitral

teams. The final provides a most colorful spectacle. Supporters of both sides travel long distances from the remote parts of Chitral and Gilgit, to watch the thrilling game. The event, as such, offers a fascinat-ing insight into the lifestyle of the people of this region. Their culture and indigenous customs are a delight to behold for the visitors.

It is advisable to be there one day in ad-vance to enjoy all the offerings of the festi-val. Activities at Shandur include dance and music performances by different groups, trout fishing, mountaineering, trekking, hiking and of course, horse riding. Crystal clear lakes, snow covered mountains, alpine flowers and vast stretches of green grass, are added attractions.

PhOOl Festivalthis is celebrated in august and is celebrated only in Birir. When the harvest season of grapes and walnuts starts people gather to share their joy. this is also the time when the shepherds come back from pastures. at this occasion dance and merry making ensures.


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Kalash Valley is one of the major tourist attractions in Pakistan. It is situated in the Chitral district of Pakistan. This valley has a historic background but its history has con-troversies. No one is sure about the actual history of the valley. According to one of the legends of the area, the soldiers of the army of Alexander the Great were settled here. The people here have their own religion, infact they have no religion at all. They are the followers of early age pagan tribes. That’s why they are called kafir Kalash. The Kalash valley as a whole is the combina-tion of three other valleys. These valleys are named Birir, Rumboor and Bumburate. Among these three valleys Bumburate is the largest and is the most beautiful. It has beautiful scenery.

Belongs to old tribes and have their own religion and culture. This valley has a unique and amazing culture. The People here live in small villages which they built on the hill sides. These villages are at the banks of the

streams and rivers. People construct their homes with rough shaped logs. Because of the slope and steepness of the area, people construct double storey houses. People of Kalash are very lively. People here live a simple life. They wear traditional dresses and traditional headdresses with small but simple tattoos usually drawn at their faces. People of Kalash enjoy festivals. They love to dance and are great admirers of music. Their blonde hair and light brown eyes show their connection with European genes.

People of Kalash are cheerful, fun loving and witty in nature. The women’s folk dance of Kalash is very famous. Other than the beautiful scenery, Kalash valley is known for its festivals. A large number of people are are invited to the festivals. There are four main festivals which are celebrated here.

This is one of the four famous festivals of Kalash, which starts in May every year. Main theme of celebrating the festival is to

honour the fairies and to protect the goats and shepherds from any causality before they leave for the pastures. The houses are decorated in the whole valley. This decoration is done by the women and girls of the valley. They worship the Goddess Jestak which they believe will protect their children and homes. They sprinkle milk on the Goddess. The main point of the festival is Rumbur where the tribal chiefs are gathered and they sacrifice goats in the name of their Gods. Women wear their traditional black robes, colorful necklaces, cowries shelled head dresses and dance in the circle. Later men join the women. This festival lasts for four days.

This festival is started in August when the harvesting season of wheat and barley starts. Mainly it is celebrated in Rumbur and Bumboret. It is started with the dance activities of young girls and boys.

Coutesy: PTDC

ChOmOs Festivalthe chomos festival starts in mid December. this is the most famous festival of the Kalash valley. the festival is celebrated for the immortality of the relatives of the people whether living or dead, to cheer the joy of the safeguarded crops and goats from the calamities and to purify the villages and valleys for the future. a torch lit procession is led from the nearby villages to the Charsue where a huge dance celebration occurs. at this time most of the fes-tivities are indoors where they enjoy local wine and dance while holding hands and crossing arms round the waists. tribal leaders sit at the hill tops and wait the sun to rise; with the sun rise they declare the new year. this is the real festivity. everyone should visit the beau-tiful valley which is host to one of the links of the rich and amazing culture of Pakistan.


People of Kalash are cheerful, fun loving and witty in nature. the women’s folk dance of Kalash is very famous. Other than the beautiful scenery, Kalash valley is known for its festivals.

hollywood

can

it allBased on one of the most talked about books in years and a #1 New York Times best-selling phenomenon, ‘The Help’ stars Emma Stone (Easy A) as Skeeter, Academy Award®–nominated Viola Davis (Doubt) as Aibileen and Octavia Spencer as Minny – three very different, extraordinary women in Mississippi during the 1960s, who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk.

Emma StonE

do


hollywood


Fhollywood

From their improbable alliance a remarkable sisterhood emerges, instilling all of them with the courage to transcend the lines that define them, and the realiza-tion that sometimes those lines are made to be crossed—even if it means bringing everyone in town face-to-face with the changing times. Deeply moving, filled with poignancy, humor and hope, “The Help” is a timeless and universal story about the ability to create change. The likes of Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Lowell, Mike Vogel, David Oyelowo, Anna Camp, Sissy Spacek, Ahna O Reilly, Allison Janney and Jessica Chastain also star. Here is what Emma had to say about the movie:Q: What was the research process and what did you learn from this kind of role?

Emma: Well I was lucky that Skeeter was a relatively kind of modern woman with the kind of goals I had in my life. Having her own career and not necessarily wanting to get married and having kids at 22. I'm 22 right now. In terms to relating to that time period she felt different then her peers. It was the other things like learn-ing about that time period and how limited my knowledge was and getting to realize that Skeeter's knowledge was also rela-tively limited. She learned so much as long as that process went on. Reading about the Jim Crow Laws and reading about Mississippi in the early 1960's. Learning the dialect that alone was huge and a large part of the process. When I'm with actors now who are from different countries or have different accents. I'm like how do you, is it constantly. It's like you have this filter in your head and you got to go through that. It's such an interesting addition to the process.Q: Did you stay in the dialect the whole time?

Emma: No, I didn't stay in the dialect but I can understand why people do. It's like patting your head and rubbing your stomach. You're trying to get to a point and then you're like ahh I got to add this dialect on top of it.Q: Did the character of Skeeter show you the different side to Journalism?

Emma: When I was a kid I wanted to be a journalist. I went to school for Jour-nalism. I've always seen why journalism can be a great thing. I think that's another reason I was excited to play Skeeter, I kept

being a journalist-that was fantastic. I grew up loving Tom Wolf, that's the stuff I read, it was incredible. So I was already a big journalist fan. I think we do something similar. We read scripts, you interview people and we beat them down and try to get these points across and parts across.

We both have a lot of interest in human-ity and what makes people tick and the psychology of human beings. We're not so different you and I. Q: We’ve seen you do many other things, but what was it like being in this great ensemble of women and get to dig into a more dramatic character and still get to be funny here and there?

Emma: It was incredible; it was an amazing experience across the board. Life wise, telling a story that I was so proud to be a part of, getting to meet these women and getting to work with these women – I love women! I don’t understand women that they’re afraid you’re not going to get along with women (laughs). Q: Where do you think Skeeter got her courage to defy the racism in her community? Do you think she was always that way? Or do you think she learnt racial tolerance when she went to college?

Emma: I think Skeeter was unlike a lot of her friends. I don’t think that she was very accepted by her mother. I don’t think that she grew up hearing from her mother that she was beautiful and could, you know, and could live this life. Her mother wanted her to fit in this mould in Jackson, Mississippi – to grow up and have kids and get married young and be in the Junior League and continue on that tradition. She didn’t think it was going

I think Skeeter was unlike a lot of her friends. I don’t think that she was very accepted by her mother. I don’t think that she grew up hearing from her mother that she was beautiful and could, you know, and could live this life.


hollywood

to be easy for her, and she didn’t really support her, and she found that support in Constantine. Constantine made her feel worthy, and Constantine told her, ‘You have a choice. You get to pick your life. I didn’t get to pick mine, you get to pick yours. Pick your life, do what you want to do.’ That was the only support she ever had. That was her true mother, you know. So she went off with Constantine’s strength in her, and was living out a life for herself and for Constantine, which she decides to write this book and decides to team with Aibileen who so courageously teams with her because Skeeter’s very idealistic. And is crazy to think that this would be excit-ing for Aibileen to be a part of. I think her viewpoint is hugely from Constantine. She was lucky enough to have Constantine, whereas Hilly was not.Q: How was the experience on working on this set?

Emma: In terms of life experience I highly doubt I would have lived for three months in Greenwood, Mississippi and gotten to know people in a town like that. Just seeing what that side of America is like. There are a lot of interesting facets to our job in that you get to be paid to enter a different life and to enter a different mind-set of your character. To learn about the history of that time or to learn new skills. I learned to shoot guns for other movies. In this I got to learn about a part of history that is important and hugely informative to

where we are now and still being struggled with now. How we grow as a person is irreplaceable. The friendships that were made and the fun that we had, it was just an incredible summer.Q: What do you want the audience to come away with after seeing ‘The Help‘?

Emma: I hope they come away with knowledge and with hope. For me it makes you feel like you’re leaving church, it makes you feel like you learned something, like something changed within you. I know that happened for me because my knowledge wasn’t very extensive before I was involved with this film ‘The Help,’ and now I’ve started watching things like ‘Eyes on the Prize’ and things that taught me about this era and time. From my side I hope that happens with the audience.Q: How was it getting the word out there about ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ at Comic-Con?

Emma: I was drawn to that part be-cause I really liked what happens between Gwen Stacy and Peter Parker and so I’m excited about that. That’s pretty much what my involvement is, is with Peter. I think Andrew Garfield is incredible so that was really wonderful for me. And then I’m also excited about, and this is kind of weird…well, I guess it’s not weird, but I think it’s really interesting to be a part of something that so many people hold close to their hearts, that so many people grew

up with. To be involved in this world of pas-sionate people.

Comic Con is one of my favourite places in the world. I got to go for ‘Zombieland,’ it is a full convention centre of people who care so much, and that is incredible. I mean, maybe just as an actor passion is so exciting and all that emotion – it literally buzzes, being in those convention rooms with 5,000 people, it’s buzzing. And to be a part of something that has that kind of passion, and that kind of enthusiasm behind it is kind of a cool, exciting thing.Q: Are we going to see you back in comedies or is it just dramas from now on?

Emma: Oh no God, no, no, no. Sketch comedy is my theatre. I just love it, more than anything in the whole world, it makes me so happy. I'm coasting from the SNL experience, now I have no other goal. It's all downhill from here. Nothing can ever be bad again. But absolutely I should be so luck to continue to do anything along the lines of comedy. It's just so amazing to just do anything you love and passionate about whether it falls under the comedy or drama umbrella- whether it's a movie or play or hosting a variety show.

Q: So how do you stay grounded among all the success?

Emma: Well nobody is really following me around that much.


The return of s minimalismThis latest pret collection by Sania Maskatiya is a blend of geometric prints with clean cuts, ample textures, ruffles, pleating and funky drapings inspired by the confidence and elegance of the Pakistani woman who wears her clothes with effortless grace.

August 21, 201134 Sunday PluS

style

The return of s minimalismThis latest pret collection by Sania Maskatiya is a blend of geometric prints with clean cuts, ample textures, ruffles, pleating and funky drapings inspired by the confidence and elegance of the Pakistani woman who wears her clothes with effortless grace.

August 21, 2011 35Sunday PluS

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movie

acism is still a hot button issue in America, and though the civil rights movement was a previous generation’s struggle, it’s hard to address those issues cinematically and still make an entertaining film. 2011′s The Help comes at a time when issue pictures are out of fashion, and so it seems slightly fresher than it might have had it come out in any other decade. And yet, it’s the same sort of empowerment movie as we’ve seen before. The bot-tom line is that the film is fun and has

good performances from performers like Emma Stone, Viola Davis and Bryce Dallas Howard. But as a commen-tary on the issues of race in America, it’s decidedly lacking. Check out our review…

THe PLoT:Skeeter (Stone) returns from col-

lege looking to be a writer, and finds a fitting subject matter in the black women who raise the children in the neighbourhood. At first she wants to

talk to her mother’s maid Aibileen (Viola Davis), but her quest also leads to Minny (Spencer). Minny was the help for Hilly Holbrook (Howard) until they have a huge fight. Minny moves on to Celia Foote (Chastain), who’s considered the town’s tramp. Skeeter faces pressure to conform to Hilly’s ways, and Hilly’s is the film’s face of racism. She’s leading a campaign to get all help “separate but equal” bathrooms. As Skeeter listens to Aibileen and Minny, she realizes the story is bigger than the two.

THE PLAYERS:

writer/director: Tate Taylor

cinematography by: Stephen G oldblatt

actors: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas

Howard, Jessica Chastain, Sissy Spacek, Allison Janney

music by: Thomas NewmanRATING: 7/10

GettinG all the helpR


movie

at the premiere

Violo Davis & Julian Tennon

Booboo Stewert & Fivel Stewart

Ted Danson & Mary Steenburgen Emma-Stone Lauryn London Octavia Spencer Amy Smart

Teresa Palmer Ahna O’ Reilly

Barret Foa

Gulshan GroverTate Taylor

Garcelli Beauvis

THe GooD:Cast: Tate Taylor seems to love his redheads (the

cast is stocked full of them), but more than that he loves female performers. Every performer gets to have fun with it and deliver at least one memorable scene. This may be a simple story about complex issues, but the performers make it interesting. Even Jessica Chastain’s character – who might be defined by her breasts – is fun to watch flail on screen. But when you have powerhouses like Spacek and Janney, you know they’re going to have a couple good scenes, and because it is an ensemble you never have to stay with one section for so long you can’t enjoy – say – watching Howard play against type as a terrible person.

The Good of the Good for You: When going about mak-ing films like this, there’s often a desire to put sugar on the top, and perhaps pat the audience on the head. “You see that racism and a culture of oppression is bad, so feel good about yourself for not living in that time.” This film falls into that trap, but it also addresses the relationship between black women maids and their white children – some of whom think of their “mammies” as their real mothers. It also means that it features some scatological jokes as tasteless as any-thing conceived of by John Waters, but is done in a way that wouldn’t offend a grandmother.It’s a feel good movie, and on those terms the movie works.

The Slight Circumvention of the White Lead Conceit: One of the biggest problems with this sort of narrative and films like it is that they cast a white avatar to deal with issues that really aren’t about them. And so Emma Stone is the lead of the picture in a film about black maids. But one of the things the film does to sneakily refutes those other “Thank God for White People” movies is that it starts the film with Aibileen’s narration and ends with her, which

then makes it her story. And though Skeeter is the conduit, it never feels like she’s saving the main characters (even if she’s giving them a voice). If it is Aibileen’s film, I don’t know how long she would have gone on about Skeeter, but then that raises a question outside of the narrative. To tell this story, are there any bankable middle-aged Africian-American actresses who can make that feasible, and can you sell that to an American audience that is still majority white? Tyler Perry, as successful as he’s been, has a ceiling. Is it good enough for a major motion picture to address an issue even while its main focus is entertainment, or does it have to dig deeper?

THe BAD:The Sticky Wicket of Race Relations: On some level,

it’s good for a film to address social issues that America – as a culture – is still dealing with, regardless of who is the President. But as a feel-good movie on the subject of race relations in the South in the 1960′s, the film lacks much gravitas. Everything that is fascinating about the relation-ship between servants and masters, and what it means to be raised by a black woman is visible, but never the focus.

oveRALL:The Help may be as full of it as the pie Minny bakes for

Hilly, but it goes down easy, and in a summer of films that are about less than anything, it’s nice to see a mainstream movie – if not tackle – at least be about something im-portant and interesting, and the view of how black women raised a lot of white children in the South is a great subject matter. This may not be the best film of it, but it works on its own merits.

GettinG all the help

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LAHORE:

Eid rEndEzvous

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Bilal Malik and Ahsan had a small get together at Bilal’s residence. The event was arranged by Bilal Mukhtar Events & PR.

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Karachi design duo SadiyaNadiya recently held an exhibition of their semi-formals and formal clothes at Labels in Lahore. Depilex conducted free eye-makeup classes at the event and Scentsation did perfume sampling. The event’s media and PR was managed by Voila PR.

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Sana Safinaz Exclusive Lawn collection 2011 was launched for the first time at Mélange in a super glam red carpet event by SaminaLakhany. The eventwas handled by Rezz PR and Events.

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The Designers kicked off Eid festivities by launching seven new designers this week. AkifMehmood and Mohsin Ali from Lahore, SadafMalaterre, Adnan Pardesy, WardhaSaleem and The House of Haroon from Karachi as well as Erum Khan of Medley from Islamabad were introduced to the store’s vast clientele that spans a diverse cross section of Karachi’s society.

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Just in terms of the documentation produced, Fuel on the Fire is a valuable reference book. Muttitt has dug up a huge amount of original material, a lot of it straight from the enemy’s inbox: Pentagon officials’ emails, oil company contracts, embassy memos and interviews with the key players. It is now a commonplace to say that the war was about oil but it still has force when confirmed so undeniably.

OFF THE SHELF

September 04, 201152 SuNday PluS

Out of all the material the book throws up, perhaps the most startling are the minutes and memos from meetings in late 2002 between the major

multinational oil companies, the governments of the US and UK, and the then opposition in Iraq. As instances of the application of ruthless political and economic power they are hard to beat, and deserve to be remembered. In documenting this period Muttitt shows how the plan to carve up Iraq’s oil was an integral part of the war, right from the first stages.

The bulk of the book is devoted to an analysis of the on-going struggle for Iraq’s oil, a struggle which Muttitt reveals to be far from settled. The interest in Iraqi oil is fundamentally a long term one. From the beginning, Mut-titt shows that the key American objective has been to secure long term access and control, by forcing through an oil law to guarantee contracts over many years, and by establishing a compliant and stable government to uphold it.

The real strategic value of oil lies in its role as a

Title: Fuel on the Fire Author: Greg MuttittPages: 433Price: Rs. 1345Genre: Politics

Oil and pOlitics inOccupied iraq

OFF THE SHELF


H H H

potential lever on the global economy. To fulfil this role there has to be ‘a cushion of spare capacity’, so that production can be raised (or lowered) to suit the prevailing interests of whoever is in control. The challenge is main-taining this situation against a background of increasing demand and depleting supplies. Moreover over 60% of proven reserves are concentrated in a handful of countries sur-rounding the Persian Gulf - Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the Emirates. This region of the world is therefore absolutely key. The imperial powers have long recognised this special importance of the Middle East. As early as 1917 the British War Cabinet sec-retary described Persian and Mesopotamian oil as ‘a first-class British war aim’ (p.5). The relative decline of oil supplies elsewhere in the world has only amplified this importance. Hence the significance of Iraq specifically; the country has the second largest reserves in the world, but before 2003 only a third of its known fields were in production, leaving a vast amount of untapped oil (p.32).

The book presents this basic analysis clearly. However there are some weaknesses following on from it. As Muttitt describes it the global importance of oil is that high oil prices are often the trigger for economic crises.

The military strength of the US is barely mentioned and the competitive factor, rivalry between different imperialist countries, is downplayed: ‘They would prefer American companies to win the contracts. But what matters to them is the pool of oil supplied. So if the Chinese could deliver increasing production, or the Russians, or the French - well done!’ (p.31). It is true that the US is concerned with global supply rather than grabbing oil for its own domestic consump-tion, but it is very much concerned with who

is in control of this global supply. The slightly narrow focus on purely

economic factors behind the war is reflected in a noticeable blind spot when it comes to the international anti-war movement. While the British TUC and the American equivalent, the AFL-CIO, are featured quite prominently, there is little mention of the global anti-war movement otherwise.

At the international and imperial scale then there are some gaps. However, where the book really comes into its own is in discussing the ‘domestic’ struggle taking place in Iraq itself. Muttitt submits this close-quarters fight to a deft and subtle analysis. It is easy to imagine that war, as a force of mas-sive brutality, simply rolls over and cancels out all other struggles. The mainstream media account and the messages issued by our own politicians only reinforce the picture: shock and awe, IEDs, car bombs, random sectarian bloodbaths, troop surges, and for show, the occasional election - ink-stained fingers included. Against this image Fuel on the Fire shows very convincingly how politics and resistance continue under the fog of war.

It seems however that the recurring tension is between short- and long-term interests, between the local and national (or national and international), between the immediate drive for profit, and more far-reaching geo-political/economic designs. These tensions/contradictions, which the US carried into the war, were the seeds of many of the disasters to follow. From the beginning, the offensive contained serious structural weaknesses, only visible as hairline cracks in the first place, but soon to develop into major fault-lines.

As much as the US ruling class, Iraqi society as a whole was also divided by the war, in a brutal fashion. The discussion of how

the US pursued a policy of divide and rule, and how Iraqis resisted it, is perhaps the strongest aspect of the book.

The book mourns the trauma of sectarian conflict. However, it also shows how sectari-anism rebounded on the US, and how it was only the Iraqi opposition itself, united against the occupying forces, which was able to begin to overcome the divisions.

While the US may have crushed the first wave of resistance by a combination of di-vide-and-rule and military force (not without sustaining serious damage in the process), it left itself wide open to a second, spearheaded by opposition politicians, religious leaders, civil society organisations and trade-unions. It was this opposition that dealt the final blow to the oil law, the object the US had been chasing since 2002. In the end the vote on the law collapsed in 2007.

Fuel on the Fire brings out the dynamic of this period brilliantly, correlating the passage of sectarianism with the struggle for oil. But where does this leave the fate of Iraq and its oil? Since 2007 the bonanza privatisation of Iraq’s oil has gone ahead in the absence of an oil law. ‘Contracts have been signed governing the majority of Iraq’s oil for the next 20 years … the offering of 60 billion barrels of known oil to international companies was the largest in the history of the industry’ (p.359). Techni-cally these contracts are illegal.

The last sub-heading in the book is on ‘The Iraqi Soul’. Clearly the occupying forces have not managed to win it over (along with hearts and minds). Nor did they in the end succeed in trying to divide it. They have paid the price for trying to crush it and although the struggle is far from over we have every reason to hope that they won’t, ultimately, be able to resist it.

Synopsis: One question, a split-second decision, and Brian Darby lies dead on the kitchen floor. His wife, state police trooper Tessa Leoni, claims to have shot him in self-defense, and bears the bruises to back up her tale. For veteran detective D. D. Warren it should be an open-and-shut case. But where is their six-year-old daughter? As the homicide investigation ratchets into a frantic statewide search for a missing child, D. D. Warren must partner with former lover Bobby Dodge to break through the blue wall of police brotherhood, seeking to understand the inner workings of a trooper’s mind while also unearthing family secrets. Would a trained police officer truly shoot her own husband? And would a mother harm her own child? For Tessa Leoni, the worst has not yet happened. She is walking a tightrope, with nowhere to turn, no one to trust, as the clock ticks down to a terrifying deadline. She has one goal in sight, and she will use every ounce of her training, every trick at her disposal, to do what must be done. No sacrifice is too great, no action unthink-able. A mother knows who she loves. And all others will be made to pay.

Love You More: A Novel Author: Lisa Gardner | Pages: 368 | Price: Rs. 795 | Genre: Fiction


Business

By Emanuel Sarfraz

IT-powered busIness Back on track

H H H

his was stated by NitinGangla, Head of Indirect Business for South East Asia and Emerging Mar-kets at SAP Asia, while talking to Sunday Plus after addressing SAP SME (Small And Medium Enterprise) Summit in Lahore. Nitin is a veteran of the IT industry in South East Asia with over 25 years of experience behind him. Settled in Singapore since 1982 he has served in advisory roles in SME forums and entrepreneurship pro-motion councils. He has worked with enterprise business software vendors such as SAP, Oracle, JBA, Epicor and GEAC in leadership roles. It may be mentioned here that SAP is one of the world’s leading provider of business software. Founded in 1972, SAP has a rich history of innovation and growth that has made it a true industry leader. SAP currently employs more than 51,400 people in more than 50 countries worldwide and is listed on several stock exchanges, including the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and NYSE under the symbol ‘SAP.’

Nitin explaining further said that globally they had announced 34 percent increase in software which is a record high. Adding in Country Liaison Manager of SAP, Hassan LatifJamal, said North America and Europe were still struggling to re-cover. “If you look at Latin America, Africa, Middle East and Far East the economies are growing again at the rate of seven to eight percent. That obviously fuels growth for us about 30 to 40 percent. In the next six months more growth is expected,” Hassan said.

About SAP Nitin said that it delivers products and services that help accelerate business inno-

vation for our customers. We believe that doing so will unleash growth and create significant new value for our customers, SAP, and ultimately, entire industries and the economy at large. “Today, more than 75,000 customers in more than 120 countries run SAP applications — from distinct solutions addressing the needs of small businesses and midsize companies to suite of-ferings for global organisations.

“We leverage our extensive experience to deliver a comprehensive range of solutions that empower every aspect of business operations. By using SAP solutions, organisations of all sizes — including small businesses and midsize com-panies can reduce costs, improve performance and gain the agility to respond to changing busi-ness needs,”Nitin explained.

About the business strategy SAP has adopted in Pakistan, Nitin said they were working to spread the market share in Pakistan. “This is the same that we are doing elsewhere but when

you want to reach midmarket first you have to raise awareness. We need to raise awareness through events like seminars and discussions with the media.

“After raising awareness we have to increase our reach. Today we sell here only through partners. The partners have to have the same success in the midmarket as they did with bigger companies. They have to change their business strategies as well as build more business models.

“We also need to incentives in place for com-panies so that they are able to invest in SMEs. We started the journey a couple of years ago. The process is slow. We are accelerating it and hope-

fully the results will some start pouring in,” Nitin was of the view. On a query about the potential of Pakistani market and whether their products were expensive for SMEs Nitin said there was a perception that our products are for large com-panies. “The organisation that perceives value will not find them expensive. The scope, depth, complexity and the sophistication is there. If an organisation is committed to using technology to make their business run better then they will find what we offer affordable.

“About the potential of Pakistani market it is a nascent market that is we have only scratched the surface so far. The challenge for us is to adopt the right strategies to reach the market. I have been coming here regularly for about four years and believe that we are moving in the right direction,” he explained. On a query about the research and development in SAP, Natin said Germany was the main centre where all their products were designed and conceptualised.

“Outside of that we have development centre in China and India. There are about 5,000 employ-ees in India and more than 3,000 in China.

“All the products are localised for Japan and some other countries. The volume of business makes you decide whether you should localise the product or not. Therefore, there are no soft-ware solutions in Urdu,” Nitin explained.

He said SAP was committed to continued investment in developing the software industry and IT sector in Pakistan with plans to focus on consultancy, education, public sector and other industry verticals.

TAbout the potential of Pakistani market it is a nascent market that is we have only scratched the surface so far.

hassan latif jamal and nitin gangla

“Everybody was impacted by the recession. This was a year in which most industries witnessed a dip. All over Asia the recovery did not take long. We are back on track. Our future plans, strategies and resources reflect such higher targets.”

picture of the week


Safe beneath the shelter of mother’s wings

STYLE

September 04, 201156 SuNday PluS

Frieha altaF - CEO Of Catwalk PrOduCtiOns

I wore a Sana Safinaz Eid lawn jora, with mehndi and choorees that was given by my family as Eidi.

Kamiar roKni - fashiOn dEsignEr

Well, my Eid collection consists of traditional and gota work. The collection was all very ethnic and the emphasis was on traditional work and cuts. The colours for this Eid, for me, were more towards yellows and creams.

Fauzia - MOdEl

I simply wore a tradtional shalwar kameez with heavy embroideries. I love colourful outfits and so for Eid, I made myself a colour-

ful, fun long flowy shirt and teamed with churidaars.’

Saim ali - fashiOn dEsignEr

I wore Saim like many other men this Eid, For me this Eid was great as I got great response on my Men’s line collection.’

ayeSha Khurram - fashiOn dEsignEr

I wore a flowy kurta with feminine cuts, something lively and vibrant. I incorporated bright colours into my outfits.

amna Kardar - fashiOn dEsignEr

Personally I wore a nice shade of orange. My latest Eid collection used a lot of net. The

mY EID jORA...When it comes to Eid, people find themselves wondering what they should wear on Eid. Everyone prepares in advance and tries to look their best. We asked some top designers and celebrities what they wore this Eid. Top celebrities reveal their choices this Eid. Did you and your favourite celebrities wear the same trend? Find out here...

Kamiar roKni aBraShemVaneeza ahmed

Frieha altaF

STYLE


shirts were long and there were a lot of pa-shwaashes with long chooridaar sleeves. My Eid collection makes use of a lot of nets in subdues and pastel colours with flamboyant colours used for contrasting.

Vaneeza ahmed - MOdEl, EntrEPrEnEur

I wore my own Vaneeza Ahmed Lawn suit in pastel shades of pink with a hint of embroidery on it, nothing too heavy because I felt that it would be too much for an occasion such as Eid. I also kept the length of my shirt very long.

aFreen Shiraz - EllE’Mint bEauty salOn

I wore a shaded blue and beige chiffon dress, where the blues merged into beige. It’s very simple; the shirt is straight as I am personally fed up of the flares and panels trend. The only work on the dress is on the neckline and that too is very light and has some stones within the work.

aBraShem - fashiOn dEsignEr

I wore a simple black kurta for this Eid with a small motif and pin tucks all over the front of the kurta. The collar of this kurta is made of black velvet and satin to make it stand out from the rest of the ensemble. For this Eid collection, my main focus was on the fittings rather than the colour of the outfit.

aFreen Shiraz ayeSha Khurram

amna Kardar

Fauzia

Saim aliH H H


SPACE TALKS

By Hamza Tarar

HOW TO CLEAN UP YOUR ROOM

At night are you barraged with the clothes pile you should really pick up, the mess on the nightstand, and the pile of shoes on the floor?

Once you finally force yourself out of bed, are you rushed in the mornings search-ing for something clean to wear?

Once you organize your bedroom, the results will be felt immediately. You will most likely fall asleep quicker, and you will wake up with a better attitude.

Your bedroom should be serene and inviting. Cluttered spaces are neither. You should have nothing but essentials on your nightstand and tops of dressers – lamps, tissue, maybe a water carafe, and maybe a remote control for a television.

Lighting in your bedroom should be soft. Most people notice a huge difference between regular 60 watt light bulbs and 25 or 40 watt bulbs. Remember that you are winding down when you are in your bed-room. Harsh lights don’t promote a relaxing

atmosphere.

TiPs fOR ORgANisiNg BEdROOMs

Use a Hamper

The most important organisation tool to have in your bedroom is a hamper. All clothes should be placed in the hamper when they are dirty. Also, make a rule that no clean clothes can enter your bedroom unless they are put away where they

belong.This means that you have to make this

step a part of every laundry load. Tonight before you go to bed, tackle the “chair of clothes” that you probably have waiting for you. Put them away and don’t let the clothes pile up ever again.

The mound of clothes is horrible for your mental attitude. Just looking at it brings about guilt and a nagging feeling. Actually getting dressed or choosing your clothes from a pile instead of from a neatly folded or hanging selection guarantees that you will

Interior designer to international celebrities like singing sensation Gloria Estefan and basketball superstar, Michael Jordon, this Global Pakistani, based in Miami, USA has worked with the best and collaborated with the likes of Alex Turco and Romero Britto, both contemporary international icons in the world of art and design. Now catch his blog exclusively in Sunday Plus, as he shares the best trends, styles, and tips on how to electrify your living spaces, and electrify your guests with a “personality-plus” home

Organisingbedroommatters

Yellow themed bedroom for a teenager, with a modern combination of bookshelves and wardrobes

have a day that begins with disorganization. Will you really feel confident and in the mood to take on the world?

Organise YOUr ClOsetsIf you find that your closets and drawers

are too full, take some time on a weekend

to get rid of some clothes. Stuffed closets and drawers make you less likely to put clean clothes away where they belong.

If you don’t have a place to keep your shoes other than the floor outside your closet, get an organiser or at least make room on the floor of the closet. The calmness you

Basket storage

Urban bedroom suite


SPACE TALKS

H H H


SPACE TALKS

will feel as you look around when you see nothing on the floor just might overwhelm you.

Organise YOUr BOOks and Cd’sIf you watch television or listen to music

in your bedroom, you should keep the CD’s cases properly and always put back what-ever you read in the neatly stacked space kept for books. Don’t get carried away – they don’t have to be in alphabetical or any other type of order.

They just have to be placed where they look neat and accessible. The clutter of DVDs and CDs instills the guilt that you should pick them up and you cannot stay in a relaxed state.

Organise witH BasketsAn invaluable organising element in

bedrooms is an empty basket. Every time you see something in your bedroom that doesn’t belong in that room, put it in the basket. Every single night before you get into bed, put the items in the basket away out of the room.

At first it will demand some willpower, but once you do it for a couple of weeks, it will become a habit that you just automati-cally do. This will keep your bedroom from getting cluttered with items from the rest of the house.

laY OUt YOUr ClOtHes, Or nOtA lot of people live by the rule that they

lay out all of their clothes at night for the next day. I don’t lay out the clothes because I prefer to see clean, empty spaces, but I definitely plan what I am going to wear.

This includes making sure that every-thing I will need is clean. In the morning before my shower, I lay out my clothes on a chair. I also neatly fold the pajamas I wore if I’m going to wear them again that night.

If they are dirty and need to go into the hamper, I put them there (not on the floor of the bathroom) and take out a clean pair from my dresser and place them on the made bed (you don’t have to be able to bounce a quarter – just pull up the sheets and comforter).

When I return home from the work to see a neat room with a made bed and a pair of pajamas all ready for that night, I feel happy and relaxed, even if it was a hectic day.

wHat wOrks Best FOr YOUBedroom organising is mostly psycho-

logical, so do what works for you. The main goals to remember are function, neatness, and serenity. If you can achieve and main-tain a level of organisation that makes you more efficient and more relaxed, you will have a perfectly organised bedroom.

I hope these will help you to be a better organiser, so leaving now for the next time with something else, Ciao! If you have any questions then email me at [email protected]

Modern bedroom Canyon Platform Bed Set

Contemporary young bedroom with minimalist bookshelves furniture design

In the morning before my shower, I lay out my clothes on a chair. I also neatly fold the pajamas I wore if I’m going to wear them again that night.

Zodiac

Aries The Ram

(21 March to 19

april)

Your ruling planet, Mars in the sign of Cancer,

however well-a

spected by Venus, will m

ake you

rebellious, fa

mily oriented and overly protective of

your home. But at the same tim

e, your temperament

may be uncertain and unpredictable. You may also

exhibit a tendency to take up a number of in

terests

and then drop th

em suddenly. Mutual outpouring

of feelings with your beloved will improve your

partnership and marria

ge. You may become an

expert at m

atters of th

e heart. Exalted Mercury in

your work sector fr

om September 9th onward will

bestow good skills in your job but y

ou may over-

exert yourself in

the process. Love will b

e a form of

service. Your emotions may be tied to social, ethical

or religious values as well a

s an inherent need to

expand your life th

rough travel, study and th

e law

on the 4th-5th.

TAurusThe bull

(20april – 20 May)

Three planets occupying your 5th house of le

i-

sure will bestow a lik

ing for g

lamour, luxury – a

predilection fo

r partic

ipating in social events, in

-

teracting with

children, indulging in stock specu-

lation and creativity. Sentim

entality, id

ealism and

romance will be pronounced. Your fi

nancial ruler

moving into Virgo from th

e 9th onward will add

common sense and brilliance in

financial deal-

ings. Subtle ta

ctics, working behind th

e scenes or

working alone in an unusual or mysterious way are

highlighted this week. On th

e 4th-5th, emotional

intensity will be high; here are th

e sleuths and re-

searchers who have a gift for m

aking money but a

tendency towards brooding and m

oodiness may

exist. Seeking th

e truth, tr

avel, religious te

nden-

cies, higher learning and law will b

e significant on

the 6th-7th.

CAnCer

The cRab

(21 June – 22 July)

The Moon will be in its first quarter from

the 4th onward, a period of accelerated

growth, increased activity and drive. It is

a period where will can be translated into

action. You will have the vitality and em-

powerment to build the foundation for

your dreams. Prom

pt decisions may be

required despite the fears. You must push

hard for the realization of your goals. Be

wary of the void-of-course Moon on the

4th from 12:41 after m

idnight till 2:03 am,

the 6th from 5:30 am

till 7:03 am, the 8th

from 1:35 am

till 2:42 pm afternoon and

the 10th from 10:32 pm

night till the 11th

at 12:26 midnight. Void-of-course Moon

will not affect ordinary activities, how-

ever, business deals, marriage decisions

or any major decisions during these hours

may tend to crum

ble and turn out to be

wrong.

Leo 2011

The lion

(23 July – 22 august)

From the 9th onward, exalted Mercury

will visit your financial sector; joining

hands with the Sun and benevolent Ve-

nus to ensure financial prosperity. You

will receive favors from your superiors,

elders, parents or from the governm

ent.

After the 9th, you will deviate towards

savings and investment. You will prac-

tice restraint in financial matters. You

will also avoid speculation. Love will be

your focus of attention but it will remain

complicated. On the 4th-5th, you will feel

romantic, inclined to socializing, interact-

ing with children, attending the theatre,

throwing a party, and comm

unicating

with the elite. Employees, servants, work

place as well as food, cooking, sewing,

crafts and domestic m

aintenance are

highlighted on the 6th-7th.

LibrA The ScaleS

(23 septeMber – 22 october)

After the 9th, conflict can occur between

the logic of Mercury and the emotional

and spiritual content of your 12th house.

However, it will facilitate your love of poetry

and literature, or a talent of writing. Secrecy

may be common in love affairs. Inhibition

and shyness in creative work may be evi-

dent. You will be a private person and will

prefer working behind the scenes. You will

prefer peace and quiet. On the 4th-5th,

you must communicate, write, read, buy

magazines, run errands, take short trips and

inculcate changes in your routine life. Home,

family, domestic responsibilities and par-

ents will take center stage on the 6th-7th.

Romance, pleasurable experiences, sports

activities and interaction with children are

highlighted from the 8th-10th. Career will

be prosperous on the 7th-8th. Watch your

health on the 6th-7th.

sCorpio

The ScoRpion

(23 october – 21 noveMber)

From the 9th onward, many acquain-

tances from all walks of life will be formed.

Through the companionship of friends

or being part of a social group, you will

strengthen your chances towards prosper-

ity. Your mind will also deviate towards

humanitarian causes. You may be asked

to manage a social institution or the pos-

sibility of engaging in group or community

work – anything that is altruistic – which

may further enhance long term career

progress. Financial fluctuation may be

experienced on the 4th-5th. A passion for

inquiry, constant movemet, travels, com-

municating, talking; messaging, writing,

reading and learning are highlighted on

the 6th-7th. Home improvements, fam-

ily commitments, interaction with parents

and domestic responsibility will take cen-

ter stage from the 8th -10th. Angry out-

burst and emotional instability will mar

health. Health may be sensitive from the

8th-10th.

Your sTAr

THis weekDr. Zaibun nisa

62 Sunday PluS September 04, 2011

Zodiac

GeminiThe Tw

inS

(21 May – 20 June)

You will be family oriented and may have

an over-idealistic attitude towards home

and parents especially after the 9th. You

will strive to place your family setup in order

or you may even work at home. Your ruler,

Mercury will become exalted on the 9th -

transforming you into a nit-picker, a critic, or

a first-rate conversationalist – an ultimate

indicator of success. From the 9th onward,

Mars in your financial sector will form ben-

eficial aspects, money may be generated

quickly but you may not accumulate any-

thing. However, you will enjoy financial chal-

lenges and thrive on opposition. Rashness or

conflict in money matters must be curbed.

Friends will aid you financially.

VirGo The ViRgin

(23 august – 22 septeMber)

Mercury in your sign from the 9th onward

will be exalted – indicating prosperity

via changes: change of scene, change in

partnerships, change of boss, change

of work, change of spiritual or political

beliefs and so on. Enhanced comm

uni-

cation, movem

ent, versatility and intel-

lect will become pronounced. You will be

keen to try new ideas and inventions. You

will be willing to take risks. Writing, adver-

tising, public relations and writing will be

fortunate. You will indulge in speculation

and risk taking. You can be the architect

of your own fate after the 9th.

sAGiTTArius

The aRcheR

(22 noveMber – 21 DeceMber)

Despite your ruling planet in retrograde

motion, self-expression and efforts to

become independent m

ust be cultivated.

You must curb a tendency to becom

e

self-indulgent, gluttonous, extravagant

and over confident. Legal complications,

loss via gambling or social disgrace m

ay

follow as a result of poor planning. Re-

view, revise and reassess your strategies

before initiating any project. From the

9th onward, three planets occupying

your career sector will improve career

perspective. Mercury will bring a variety

of jobs or change of profession. The Sun

will make you am

bitious with good pow-

ers of leadership, bestowing a great sense

of the dramatic. Venus will ensure a good

potential for developing rapport with

pisCesThe FiSh

(19 February – 20 March)

From the 9th onward, your social lif

e will be

enhanced. This position is highly suitable for

public relations w

ork, counseling, and arbi-

tration. You will p

refer to work in a partn

er-

ship. A commitment or a serious relationship

may be on your agenda. Idealism in love may

lead to a heart b

reak. But a potential fo

r a

successful relationship exists provided th

at

friendship and good communication are not

ignored. Participating in the affairs of the

community, public dealings and professional

commitments will b

e significant on th

e 4th-

5th. The need to be an active m

ember of a

group or society will be of paramount im

por-

tance to you on the 6th-7th. Emotional with

-

drawal, mood fluctuations, selfless behind

the scene service and sacrifice on your part

are highlighted from th

e 8th -10th. H

ealth

will be delicate on th

e 4th-5th. Throat, ears,

nose and stomach will be sensitiv

e organs.AquArius

The waTeR beaReR

(20 January – 18

February)

Your ruler, U

ranus has been in retro

grade motio

n

since July 10th this year while Neptune also in

backward motion entered your sign on August 5

th

– which further heightened your sensitiv

ity and ar-

tistic potential but subjected you to

day dreaming,

hysteria and addiction. From the 9th onward, th

ree

planets residing in your 8th house is an indicator of

a legacy, gifts or a

business dealing in partnership

with others. This positio

n will favor p

olice person-

nel, detectives, psychiatris

ts, psychotherapists,

researchers, astrologers, occultis

ts, etc. Your emo-

tional in

tensity will be heightened and an outle

t for

self-expression may be im

perative.

LibrA The ScaleS

(23 septeMber – 22 october)

After the 9th, conflict can occur between

the logic of Mercury and the emotional

and spiritual content of your 12th house.

However, it will facilitate your love of poetry

and literature, or a talent of writing. Secrecy

may be common in love affairs. Inhibition

and shyness in creative work may be evi-

dent. You will be a private person and will

prefer working behind the scenes. You will

prefer peace and quiet. On the 4th-5th,

you must communicate, write, read, buy

magazines, run errands, take short trips and

inculcate changes in your routine life. Home,

family, domestic responsibilities and par-

ents will take center stage on the 6th-7th.

Romance, pleasurable experiences, sports

activities and interaction with children are

highlighted from the 8th-10th. Career will

be prosperous on the 7th-8th. Watch your

health on the 6th-7th.

CApriCorn

The goaT

(22 DeceMber – 19 January)

Saturn devoid of any difficult aspect this

week will bestow tact, perseverance and

practicality – symbolizing a self-made per-

son. After the 9th, you may deviate towards

foreign lands, travel, philosophy, higher

education and religion. Three planets in

your 9th house of the higher mind will favor

teachers, scholars, mentors, gurus, clerics,

lawyers, judges, scientists, theologians, etc.

You will broaden your mental horizons. You

must exercise restraint in all forms of inter-

action with associates, close friends, busi-

ness partners or spouses. Spiritual inclina-

tion, secrecy, withdrawal, meditation and

study are indicated on the 4th-5th. Your

personal power for accomplishment will be

at its peak from the 6th-8th. Fluctuating

finances and monetary considerations will

overwhelm you from the 8th afternoon till

the 10th. Stomach complaints and indiges-

tion may occur after the 9th.

63Sunday PluSSeptember 04, 2011

Following up on the success of their highly-acclaimed video for their single “Batti”, the loudest band in Pakistan is once again setting out to blaze new trails. Paying tribute to the glory days of Pakistan’s entertain-ment industry, Overload co-founders Farhad Humayun and Sheraz Siddiq have dedicated themselves to reinventing the cult classic track “‘Neray Aaa”, featured in the Syed Noor blockbuster ‘Choorian’. The rendition delivers a full load of adrenalin –Energy which has already managed to turn the project into a focal point for the future of the country’s otherwise ailing entertainment industry.

Watch this Eid!

PICKS OF THE WEEK


Overload is Here

If you haven’t visited the ActOne studio in Karachi as yet, you don’t know what you are missing out on. It’s the oldest and most prestigious centre for fitness and wellness and is the one place where you can learn how to do salsa, from authentic salsa teachers, or do the bhangra from a trained instructor and even kick some butt in kick boxing classes. The new ActOne studios are state-of-the-art equipped with the best possible equipment and facilities. So if you are looking to shed some pounds while having some fun, ActOne is the place to go to. In the last five years more than 4,000 students have passed through the doors of ActOne, and have learnt how to do ballroom dancing, power yoga, zumba and other dance forms. In addition, ActOne also holds acting and directing workshops occasionally. So if you’re looking for a fun place to join, head to ActOne studios and enroll.

Location: ActOne, Main Khyaban-e-Shabaz, Karachi. Contact #: 0312- 7007777 and email: [email protected]

ActOne

The House of Abresham doesn’t just believe in glam; they believe in glam with a little glitz and a good dose of glitter. For those of you who enjoy dressing up to be noticed and are willing to be the centre of attention, the House of Abresham is the place to visit. The clothes are vibrant, the palette bold and bright and the embellishments detailed and intricate, Danish Aslam, the head designer of the House of Abresham, believes in designing pieces that are timeless and eternal. “Every piece we sell is couture,” said Aslam. “It’s made to perfection and made for you and made with the care and attention to detail we believe a formal wear outfit deserves.”

Available at Abresham flagship store at Vogue Towers and Labels Lahore.

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.

The House of Abresham

HOTTEST, NEWEST, LATEST…

Kids, get ready for school, because Lifestyle has introduced its fun back-to-school collection this summer. So grab your parents and visit the nearest Lifestyle store to check out their range of vibrant and trendy essential bags and accessories for boys and girls aged between 5-15yrs. This collection uses various themes that are favourites amongst the young crowd; such as racing cars, bikers, warriors etc. The collection is available in various colors with matching school bags, lunchboxes, satchels, pencil cases and water bottle holders. For the little ladies out there, Lifestyle offers a unique range of back-to-school accessories from brands such as Jordi Labanda, Kim-midoll and Happy House. So kids, make this school term a special one by owning something from Lifestyle’s back-to-school collection.

Available at Karachi’s Lifestyle Stores.

Back-to-School Collections

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