Every day brings forth a new entrant in the bustling fashion industry of Pakistan. You lift a brick on a street corner and you might find a new

aunty launching her designer collection, converting her unused dining room into a private studio. Yes, the aunties are the new crop of fashion designers and other aunties feel very comfortable in the hands of designer aunties as they gossip about their daily routines over tea and biscuits.

The suburban housewives are taking over the fashion industry and are definitely a force to be reckoned with. They might not advertise like other brands in a huge way but they rely on word of mouth and the five degrees of separation concept with all their perspective clients. With such minimal overheads, prices are affordable and the feeling that your money is going to be helping ‘a friend’s little business endeavour’ always feels better than swiping your husband’s

card in a retail machine where you will probably be worthy of only being dealt with the designer’s assistant.

The Lahori soccer mom, aka polo mom, is a very enterprising woman. She did not go to fashion school but has an interest in art. She was always into clothes and over the years getting customized joras personally stitched from countless darzis has gotten her to the conclusion of hiring her own in-house darzi. Now she can yell at him nine hours a day so he finally gets it right instead of disappearing on her at the last minute and running back to his village before the most important Eid lunch of the year that she is hosting.

In conclusion, it’s those dreadful darzis that are to blame for all the aunties entering the fashion scene. If they did their job right without needing the usual aunty abuse before making a proper fitted kameez, the aunties wouldn’t need to start their own karkhana. On some level, I think it’s a plot by the darzi community

to get hired on a consistent salary basis instead of the freelance routine.

In all fairness, I do think the fashion aunty has a lot of potential. After all, our fashion industry was actually born this way. Some of the biggest and most respected names in our industry today started with a small atelier studio in their home and eventually expanded to a full scale fashion retail brand.

30 I MAY 15 - 21, 2011

The housewives of fashionThe aunties are the new crop of fashion designers and other aunties feel very comfortable in

the hands of designer aunties

The success stories of Pakistani Fashion

In all fairness, I do

think the fashion

aunty has a lot of

potential. After all,

our fashion industry

was actually born

this way

Bunto KazmiNickie & NinaSana & Safina

Interior design is a concept adopted by the well-heeled and the middle class to enhance and beautify their living space and surroundings. Colour, furniture and its placement and accents are tools by which any given space can be transformed.

This, however, can be classified into two genres – classic and contemporary. To better understand this classification, we would require going slightly back in time.

The concept of a classic interior design was adopted from the Greek and the Roman heritage. Classic design is based on order, balance and harmony, and steeped in tradition it is mostly devoid of current influences.

In order to distinguish classical design from modern day contemporary influences, it is important to understand the idea behind one focal point. Classically designed rooms often contain large focal points. A large and high fireplace, carved coffee tables or even large chandeliers are classic examples of focal points that are often adopted. Once a designer has chosen the focus of a room, all other items within the room are placed around the look of the chosen focal point.

Prime examples of classic design are the Victorian chairs, demy-looms and Ottomans. Rich in colour, usually a combination of black and gold is preferred.

Contemporary or modern design relies mostly on straight lines and smooth and polished surfaces. It is not stark and cold, but contemporary design is comfortable and spacious, without clutter. Modern–day art features neutral colours like creams, whites, browns and blacks, leaving bold colours like red and yellow to be used for accentuation. Different kinds of textures are applied to highlight warmth and colour to walls. Brass and nickel is the usual choice for lamps whether they are floor lamps or table lamps. Loud and daring abstract artwork is displayed on walls and painting lights are added to highlight it.

In a nutshell one can adopt any one kind of design, and one can also mix and match to ones liking. Usually people prefer to have a modern contemporary lounge and a classic rich blend in their drawing rooms.

The sky is the limit when it comes to making your home a delightful blend of colour and class. So get to it and indulge in something nice and decent, or, depending on your preference and pocketbook, maybe you would want to splurge and go for something infinitely more extravagant.

Classic design is based on order, balance, and harmony

It is not stark and cold, but

contemporary design is

comfortable and spacious

By Sikander Ahmad Khan

The sky is the limit when it comes to making your home a delightful blend of colour and class

Classic or contemporarythe choice is yours

Interiors

40 I may 15 - 21, 2011

In addition to drying up

excess oil, its rich mineral

content helps to improve

blood circulation

when applied to the face

May 15 - 21 , 2011 I 41

Clay was one of the earliest substances used as a beauty mask. When applied, its results were so amazing and immediate that it became popular over a really short period of time and is now not only used in a variety of cosmetic products, but also manufactured as separate facial masks.

‘Multani Mitti’ (or ‘Fuller’s Earth’) is undoubtedly the eighth wonder of the world. It was used as far back as ancient Rome but the name Fuller’s earth comes from this clay’s use in the early English Wool Industry. It was considered so valuable that English law forbade its export until the early 18th century. Now, it is easily available in the market.

Multani mitti possesses excellent absorbent qualities, which is why it qualifies for the best facial mask ever. In addition to drying up excess oil, its rich mineral content helps to improve blood circulation when applied to the face, thereby stimulating the skin cells underneath that ultimately results in healthy skin. Hydrated aluminum silicate is the mineral ingredient in multani mitti that provides the absorbent action. The grease of the skin coats the particles of aluminum silicate and hence, is lifted away from the skin when the mask is removed. In addition, the mask hardens as it dries thereby absorbing dead cells that are present on the top layer of the skin. However, the mask is not too suitable for over dry or sensitive skin hence, precaution is advised.

Making a mutani mitti mask at home is as easy as this:Multani mitti- 1 tbsp.Rose water- 1 tbsp.Mix both the ingredients together till it forms a paste. Apply it to the skin being

careful to avoid the area around the eyes. Leave it on for fifteen to twenty minutes until it is completely dry and then rinse off with warm water.

The result? 100 percent clear skin with a soft pinkish glow! If you feel a tingling sensation, do not worry, it is just the mask in action clearing away all the dead cells and grease off your skin and stepping up the blood circulation. Finally, for all those extra cautious people out there, multni mitti has no side effects.

By Maheen Hassan

Eighth wonder of the world

Multani mitti possesses excellent

absorbent qualities,

which is why it qualifies for the best facial mask

ever

Skincare

By Behjat Tahir

Interview

44 I may 15 - 21, 2011

may 15 - 21 , 2011 I 45

As I was hurrying down Liberty’s back alley on a busy weekday morning for random chores, I stopped short at a certain corner shop. The window showcased a kaleidoscope of hand embroidered, pure leather

traditional footwear. The khussa and kolhapuri chappals have the unique quality of being timeless! I had seen these beauties adorning the feet of my grandmothers, mother, aunts and cousins. That particular sense of nostalgia and a slow radiance of chauvinism for my own sub-continental culture has led me to believe that a shoe wardrobe without this essential, is a shoe wardrobe half empty!

Every region has its characteristic footwear that has evolved over centuries to suit the climatic and topographic conditions. Khussas and Kolhapuris are no exception and have their root in the region’s history and are part of its rich cultural heritage. Although, in use by the rural population for centuries, the khussa and the kolhapuri arrived in the palaces of the Mughal Empire much later and it was then that its history started to be recorded. The most peculiar thing about these shoes is that not one single iron nail is used in the entire manufacturing process. The sole and the upper body of the shoes are joined together by stitches which are done with a leather cord.

Ethnic footwear is not only bold and vibrant but with their intricate patterns, exotic designs, various colours and shapes any outfit, be it Eastern or Western can be totally transformed. Khussas are more commonly worn in winter season whilst kolhapuris emerge when the temperatures start rising. Exquisite embroidery consisting of tilla, sitara, moti and cutwork in khussas or zari border, pom poms and gota in kolhapuris give a new life to your summer look. Mixing a subtle ethnic tone in any ensemble will surely make it into a personal style statement because of the timeless fashion factor and ability to be a unisex shoe.

The best thing about them is that they go with all kinds of attires: skirts, jeans, shalwar kameez and choori dar pajamas. So what are you waiting for ladies and lads, make a bee

line for the shops and raid them to stay on top of fashion.

Be different, wear ethnic!

Exquisite embroidery

consisting of tilla, sitara,

moti and cutwork in khussas or

zari border, pom poms

and gota in kolhapuris give a new life to your

summer look

Style Savvy

Walk Desi

By Shahabano Khan

46 I may 15 - 21, 2011

42 I may 15 - 21, 2011

Food & Hangouts

48 I may 15 - 21, 2011

may 15 - 21 , 2011 I 49

Glamstock

50 I may 15 - 21, 2011