Category: LifeStyle

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

Lean in Pakistan Foundation launched Lean in Girls Pakistan initiative in follow up to the global launch of Lean in Girls that took place last month in San Francisco, USA, hosted by founder Sheryl Sandberg, former COO, Meta/Facebook. 50 girls and young women were invited from various high schools and universities in Karachi.

The launch was titled “Self-Esteem in a Barbie World” and centered around a purpose-driven workshop. Spotted at the event were Dr. Huma Baqai (Rector, MiTE), Nisha Ghumro (Founder & CEO, Sceptre College), plus-sized model Sana Sultan, event chair Margaret Fialho, and event host Lean In Pakistan Foundation President Tara Uzra Dawood. Alfalah Digital Banking was the venue sponsor, Nighat Misbah at Depilex Beauty Clinic was Beauty Partner, and other Partners included Premo by Xanders, Workhall, Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, Eadvisory, Szabist, Indus University, Millennium Institute of Technology and Entrepreneurship, and Sceptre College.

 

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

#LFCzech LADIESFUND delegation of some of the most dynamic Pakistani womens in Islamabad to meet the Ambassador of the Czech Republic H. E. Tomas Smetanka and his wife Irena at their beautiful residence.

Spotted at the event were Parveen Qadir Agha, Sobia Mustapha, Madeeha Raza, Kainat Riaz (Swat), Nasreen Iqba, Karishma Ali (Chittral), Elia Nauraz Ali (Balochistan) Samia Qamar, and LADIESFUND President Tara Uzra Dawood.

Irena made homemade apple streusel and all had an interactive discussion on state of the country, potential collaborations and simply getting to know each other. The hospitality was unparalleled and we are also incredibly proud of our incredible delegates who ranged in age and sector.

Karachi (Nut Desk)

LADIESFUND #LFPowwow2 at Second Cup DHA enabled 40 women SMEs to network and sell their products, while 20 women SMEs showcased their products and services on stage and fb live to a global audience. Spotted at the event were Moneeza Butt, Mehreen Humza Tabani, Varah Mussavir, Khursheed Hyder, Sana Pirzada & Zoreed Raza, among others. LADIESFUND President Tara Uzra Dawood hosted the event and selected mentors presented their mentees to the audience.

PowWow Gift Partner was Hashmi Group & Beauty Partner Depilex.

Lahore (Qasim Ali)

Rich tributes were paid to the theatre icon and founder of Ajoka Theatre Madeeha Gauhar at a memorial meeting held on the 5th anniversary of her passing away. Those who shared their memories included playwright and Madeeha’s husband Shahid Nadeem, her son Nirvaan Nadeem, actress Samia Mumtaz, theatre activist Rukhsana Kazmi, filmmaker Shoaib Sultan, stage and TV actress Razia Malik, actors Sarfraz Ansari and Umar Bhatti. They praised Madeeha’s passion and commitment to theatre and peace.

The programme included reading of extracts from Madeeha’s diaries and other writings by Nirvaan Nadeem, Arzoo Ali Gauhar, Fizza Jamal, Mohammad Qaisar and Usman Zia. The extracts related to Madeeha’s growth as  a socially aware artist and activist. A TV interview of Madeeha was also screened in which she talked about her artistic journey and her work for theatre for peace.

Shahid Nadeem said that Ajoka cherishes Madeeha’s legacy and is carrying on with her mission of spreading the message of  peace and social awareness through entertaining theatre. He also revealed  that Ajoka to mark its 40th anniversary with year- long activities and the details will be announced on 5 May before the performance of its new play “Uddanhaare”at Alhamra.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) WB by Hemani celebrated the successful launch of Hareem Farooq’s signature luxury scents with a star-studded intimate Suhoor night in uptown Karachi. Designed with a labor of love and scented by the diva Hareem Farooq herself with her choice of fragrances, this exclusive collection takes inspiration from beautiful emotions of JOY, HOPE, LUV, and FAITH.

Hareem Farooq has designed her signature luxury scent JOY – a musky fragrance for women who enjoy little joys of life, HOPE – a citrusy, floral, and musky scent for the woman who has her hopes high, LUV – with chypre, floral, and musky scent for her who is full of love, and FAITH – a floral, amber, and musky fragrance for her who has faith in everything. This four exclusive eau de parfums are crafted and designed by Dominique Moellhausen, a top perfumer and Perfumer of the Year 2020.

“This is a dream come true for me, ever since I can remember I have been obsessed with perfumes, I just love how a good fragrance can make you and others around you feel good. I have always wanted to come out with my own perfumes, add notes and make scents of my own choice and Hemani has given me this opportunity to turn my dream into reality and I am super excited for this launch. As this is the first ever brand that I am launching I wanted to lend it as much positivity as possible and that’s the reason they have been named JOY, HOPE, LUV & FAITH as these four emotions have been my strongest pillars in life, no matter how dark life got they always guided me to light, and I hope you enjoy these beautiful scents that we have made with all our hearts from the scratch for all of you, and that they uplift your spirits and remind you that good days are always around the corner”, shared the top Pakistani film producer and actress Hareem Farooq on the successful launch of her signature luxury scents.

“Hareem Farooq’s signature luxury scents are a happy new addition to our Hemani family, and we are super excited to bring you her range of day-to-night wear eau de parfums for the women of today”, commented Zohair Hemani – Director of Hemani Group, speaking at the Hareem Farooq x Hemani success Suhoor night.

WB by Hemani’s natural, chemical and toxin-free fragrances not only provide a range of earthy, natural smelling products but are also the must-have fragrances for the modern age wardrobe. Hemani has been long established as the leading herbal & natural company that carries forward their promise of authentic & naturally sourced products.

The intimate celebratory Suhoor night showcased the four exclusive emotive fragrances named JOY, HOPE, LUV, and FAITH for the select media and guests to enjoy and experience. Present on the occasion were Ayesha Omar, Ushna Shah, Ali Rehman, Mariyam Nafees, Aman Ahmed, Adnan Siddiqui, Zhalay Sarhadi, Adnan Pardesy, Aijaz Aslam, Sanam Jung, Rizwan Ali Jaffri, Eshal Fayyaz, Behroze Subzwari, Safina Behroze, Humaira Asghar Ali, Seemi Pashah, Fakhar-e-Alam, Nadia Hussain, Nabeel Zafar, Naveed Raza, Mariam Mirza, Jerjees Seja, Abdullah Seja, Annus Abrar, Amir Adnan, Huma Adnan, Nina Kashif, Amna Arshad, Hafsa Haseeb, Arshad Khan, Raheel Rao, Maliha Rehman, Rameez Sattar, Zahir Rahimtoola, Zain Pasha amongst several other notables from the fashion, lifestyle, entertainment, and media industry.

The Hareem Farooq exclusive range of fragrances: JOY, HOPE, LUV, and FAITH is now available online at https://wbhemani.com/hareem-farooq-perfumes

MARIYAM D. RIZWAN DROPS ALL-NEW FESTIVE COLLECTIONS TO TAKE OVER YOUR HEART & WARDROBE THIS SEASON.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)  The couturier who’s on everyone’s must-have list, Mariyam D. Rizwan recently launched two new collections just in time for the Spring/Summer 2023 festive season, namely: Durefishan – Ramadan Edit and Brunch & Cake – Eid Edit.

The highly sought out designer Mariyam D. Rizwan beautifully encapsulates the essence of the Ramadan festivities in a symphony of 6 vibrant bejeweled luxe pret ensembles with intricate details and a spectrum of traditional colors in her collection ‘Durefishan’; featuring the namesake rising star Dur-e-fishan Saleem the collection is perfect for iftars and Ramadan soirées.

‘Brunch & Cake’ starring the sensational Ayeza Khan is the artistic designer Mariyam D. Rizwan’s latest take on modern-day chic pret with 11 gorgeous festive luxury pieces that are the perfect addition to your Eid wardrobe with their scene-stealing silhouettes, exquisite craftsmanship, and tasteful colour palette.

All in all, Mariyam D. Rizwan’s 2 latest festive drops Durefishan – Ramadan Edit and Brunch & Cake – Eid Edit have something for everyone and are sure to make a place in your heart and wardrobe. Both collections styled by the celebrity stylist Aneela Murtaza are now available in-store at the Mariyam D. Rizwan atelier and online at www.mariyamdewan.com

Established in 2015, Mariyam D. Rizwan’s design house specialises in exclusive Ready to Wear, Luxury Prêt, and Bridal Wear that captures the essence of sophisticated luxury by provoking femininity, allure and glamour, leading the brand to become the ultimate destination for women who understand the art of fashion. The label works with luxe fabrics, textures and exquisite construction for its limited edition design and brings a fresh approach to South Asian fashion design.

 

 

Barzakh poster unveiled: Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed starrer to have its World premiere at Series Mania.

The first poster of the family drama was unveiled at the ongoing Series Mania Festival, where the show is set to have its global premiere.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)  Prior to its world premiere at the Series Mania Festival, the creators of Zindagi original show Barzakh, starring actors Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed unveiled the show poster in the French city of Lille.

Barzakh is helmed by critically acclaimed director Asim Abbasi who also directed Zindagi’s first original Churails and the feature film Cake. Gracing the event were writer-director Asim Abbasi, actor Sanam Saeed, and Producer Shailja Kejriwal.

Barzakh has the distinct honour of being the only series selected from South Asia. The series will debut in the showcase’s International Panorama, a 12-title competitive section where it will be eligible for the best series, director, actress, actor, student jury, and audience awards.

A family drama centered around an elderly man’s quest for love, Barzakh explores intergenerational trauma between fathers and sons. The narrative is framed within a fantastical world of supernatural beings and otherworldly events that reveal the chasms between life, death, and rebirth.

Fawad Khan portrays the role of a single parent, who is charming but at the same time filled with a lot of guilt for something that he has lost.  Elated at Barzakh making the Series Mania cut, Fawad said, “Coinciding with our Series Mania premiere, our poster that we now reveal to the world offers an early glimpse into what can be expected from the series – abstract beauty and ambiguity that reflects the complexities in navigating human relationships in a post-modern world.”

Held annually at Lille, the Series Mania festival, since its inception in 2010, has been instrumental in recognizing and curating the best series from across the world. The festival brings together the best screenwriters, directors, and artists together under one roof.

Sanam Saeed who plays the central female character said, “It is simply surreal to be attending the Series Mania Festival. Barzakh is a story that I connected with from the minute I heard it and in Asim Abbasi’s hands, it’s been crafted into a moving, beautiful series that will renew our faith in love and life. It’s what led me to not only take on the challenging role but also made me look at life in a different light. It is very different from what we have seen on screen and all the actors have performed extremely different diverse roles. I am so proud of this series and am honored that it is having its world premiere at the Series Mania Festival.”

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) The British Council Pakistan is bringing the 6^th edition of WOW – Women of the World Festival in collaboration with ECDI Pakistan and Olomopolo Media on Saturday 4 and Sunday, 5 March 2023 at Beach Luxury Hotel, Karachi. After two virtual editions (in 2021 and 2022) this is the first in-person WOW Festival in three years.

The programme for the WOW festival is the most diverse and exciting since the festival began and includes dynamic panels, workshops, immersive performances, vibrant marketplaces and shows for children. The festival will also feature an art exhibition, a drum circle, art installations, and film screenings. The opening performance at the festival will feature Shae Gill, the singer of last year’s biggest hit ‘Pasoori’ and the closing performance is by Pakistan’s legendary singer Naseebo Lal.

Presented in partnership with the WOW Foundation, the theme for the festival this year, is Ral Mil – the Seraiki phrase for coming together as a community. The theme ‘Ral Mil’ builds upon ideas of communities of care and imagines ways to build better, strengthen bonds, heal wounds, find joy, and salvage the earth from the effects of climate change. Last year Pakistan was ravaged by devastating floods. Several areas are still under water months later and the WOW Festival wants to utilize the festival structure to begin to lay the ground for how we can come together to reflect, learn, bring about change and to heal.

Jill Richens, Director Arts South Asia, the British Council said: “We are committed in our work with women and girls across South Asia and believe that there are millions of inspiring women who exemplify why empowerment, diversity and having meaningful platforms for connection help close gaps to gender equality. Our work in the arts and strategic priorities support women’s voices and agency, and that is also why festivals like WOW accelerate progress.”

Maarya Rehman, Deputy Director, British Council Pakistan said: “This year we are excited to present the biggest and most ambitious WOW Festival ever and I am delighted that the festival is returning in-person. WOW will celebrate the power of women and girls to overcome challenges especially through the lens of climate change which has badly affected Pakistan. I urge people from across Karachi to come and attend this wonderful festival.”

The WOW Festival at the Beach Luxury Hotel is free and open to the public. All content will be recorded and later archived on our YouTube channel. As in previous years, the sessions will also be interpreted in Pakistani Sign Language.

Jude Kelly, CEO & Founder of The WOW Foundation, said: “WOW Festivals have always been about bringing the most pressing issues of the day to the forefront, and gathering together people to discuss solutions and build community. After the devastating effects of climate change seen in Pakistan in recent years, this year’s festival theme of Ral Mil will be a powerful framework for addressing not only this but the direct and devastating impact it is having on gender equality. There will be much celebration too, of the incredible initiatives women and girls are running and their many inspirational achievements. We look forward to celebrating one of the longest running WOW Festivals in the world as it returns for another joyful and thought-provoking year.”

AIFD PUTS PAKISTAN ON THE MAP, SHOWCASING STUDENTS’ WORK IN PARIS DURING PARIS FASHION WEEK  UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MAHEEN LAKHANI.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) The Asian Institute of Fashion Design – Iqra University through its students is all set to showcase a collection of work at the Hôtel d’Évreux located in Place Vendôme in Paris, France on March 5th, 2023. Place Vendôme is the most prestigious square in Paris and is home to designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, and Cartier. AIFD Students will be showcasing their work in Paris during Paris Fashion Week for the very first time, putting Pakistani designers at the forefront of the fashion landscape.

AIFD’s show in Paris will begin with their first ever student-made Fashion Film, ‘Enchanted Odyssey’ which will be followed by a showcase of the Top 10 looks from the AIFD Thesis Collection 2022.  The collection is going to be showcased at Hôtel d’Évreux in Place Vendôme which was built in the 17th century, the Hôtel d’Évreux is a model of Period architecture. With its 18th Directoire and Napoléon III style rooms, it’s a jewel of the Paris historical and assets heritage.

Fashion Weeks provide one’s brand a platform to be part of a prestigious and momentous global event. Young designers are given an opportunity to present their collections during off-schedule slots or presentations during Fashion Week. Many Fashion Weeks have events or spaces specifically designated for emerging designers to showcase their work during this coveted time of the year. Any brand that wishes to make an impact begins with Paris, during Paris Fashion Week. Propitiously this relates to the storyline of our Fashion Film, where a young girl’s dream of entering the fashion world is akin to how AIFD students envision themselves.

“As the CEO of AIFD, I wanted to break away from the norm and do the extraordinary and raise the bar for Fashion Institutions in Pakistan. At first, my team and I presented the thesis collection as a Fashion Film in December 2022 which was the first-ever Fashion Film by a Fashion institute in Pakistan and I certainly didn’t want to stop there. I wanted their degrees to feel like trophies and what better way than to finish it off with the representation of our students’ work on a runway in Paris during Paris Fashion Week? These students are not only presenting their collection but are proudly representing Pakistan on a global platform,” stated Co-Founder & CEO of AIFD Maheen Lakhani Ahmar.

Momal Sheikh, Hasan Rizvi, and Alizeh Pasha will be joining the AIFD Team as their Brand Ambassadors. All three members have always been very supportive of the students’ work. Momal and Alizeh had recently visited AIFD and often wear outfits from the students’ collections to highlight AIFD talent.

The work and efforts of the AIFD Thesis students are commendable and deserve recognition both internationally and locally. It is AIFD’s vision to provide emerging talent a platform to jumpstart their career and garner recognition. AIFD has several other projects in the pipeline. More on that will be disclosed at a later date.

Pakistan (Qasim Ali)

Sikh delegates and civil services trainees attend Ajoka performance Lahore Shahid Nadeem’s book of Urdu plays “ Hum Dekhain Gae” was launched at a book launch ceremony held on the last day of the Pakistan Literature Festival. Alhamra Hall 3 was packed with drama and culture enthusiasts who listened to a distinguished panel consisting of Professors Shaista Sirajeddin and Asghar Nadeem Syed as well as the author himself. Professor Shaista, a highly respected scholar and former head of Punjab University English Department, in her opening remarks, talked about Nadeem’s transition from a radical student activist to an acclaimed playwright while eminent poet and playwright Asghar Nadeem Syed spoke about the repressive regime of General Zia ul Haq and establishment of Ajoka Theatre as a platform for dissent and democracy. Shahid Nadeem said all the plays in the collection have been performed in Pakistan and abroad and the purpose of publishing them was to make them available for those want to read, perform or research. Later, Shahid Nadeem signed copies of the book. The book includes internationally acclaimed “ Dara”, about Sufi Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh, recently adapted and produced by z London’s National Theatre; “Dukhini”, about trafficking of Bangladeshi women to Pakistan, which has been performed all over South Asia; “Dushman”, an adaptation of Ibsen’s “ An Enemy of the People”; “Dekh Tamasha” on religious extremism and “Saira aur Maira”, based on cases fought by the Late Asma Jahangir. The book is available from Ajoka Theatre and Sang Publications. Ajoka also gave a special performance of its famous play “Anhi Mai Da Sufna” at Alhamra. Written by Shahid Nadeem, the play revolves around stories of people who were separated from their loved ones during the 1947 partition. The cast included Razia Butt, Nadeem Abbas, Sarfraz Ansari, Mohammad Qaiser, Usman Zia, Fahad Hāshmï, Shehzad, Bilal, Rania, Rabil, Sumavia, Yusra, Haifa and Anish. A group of over 200 trainees of the Civil Services Academy and their faculty attended the performance as part of their sensitisation to meaningful art and culture. A delegation of about 45 Sikhs from California also attended the performance as special guests. Director of Civil Services Academy Ms Ayesha Tareen thanked Ajoka for the performance. Vicky Singh of Sikh Lens, California commended Ajoka artists for a meaningful and powerful play.

The play will also be performed on the opening day of the Faiz Festival on 17 February in Alhamra Hall2.