Author

Good Times

Browsing
In Picture Perfect

Randall Slavin

Eminent American celebrity portrait photographer Randall Slavin started out as a struggling actor who started taking headshots of his pals. Soon, it snowballed into a full blown career. The 49 year old prolific photojournalist tells Haider Rifaat his riveting story

What is Randall Slavin’s story?

I was a struggling actor in my younger days, hanging around in Los Angeles with all my other out of work actor friends. I was always obsessed with photos. I started shooting my friends’ headshots to make some extra money because I wasn’t making a living through acting. It rather snowballed until it was something that I couldn’t ignore or keep on the backburner anymore.

It was around 2000 when I decided to be a celebrity portrait photographer. It is interesting because I have been at it at a time when the business was going through some seismic changes. The internet really turned things on its head, as did the digital camera revolution. I don’t think people saw that the advent of digital photography would explode and the number of photographers would be so out there competing for jobs. Photography used to be an expensive hobby and a skill that had to be learned. The digital media made it cost-free as well as skill free.

What is your routine like?

I wake up, put on a pot of tea, listen to some Ryan Adams, pick up The New York Times and see where the world is heading.

“Photography used to be an expensive hobby and a skill that had to be learned. The digital media made it cost-free as well as skill free”

You have photographed Hollywood legends Charlize Theron, Mark Wahlberg, Alicia Keys, Emma Roberts, Zoe Saldana, Eva Longoria, Marie J. Blige and Kiefer Sutherland among many others. What key factors do you consider when photographing celebrities? Is there a specific theme you follow?

My biggest factor when shooting someone is the willingness to let me lead them somewhere, help them create a scenario and play along with me. It is about being honest. I don’t want the subject to smile if it is not honest. The minute many people get in front of the camera, they immediately put on their “I am-having-my-picture-taken” face. There is nothing spontaneous or authentic about it. I try to get them out of their comfort zone or, at the very least not think about having their picture taken.

During the photography session with your clients, do you guide them on any specifics that you want translated in the results?

During the session, I usually have a quiet chat on set and tell the talent what I like. I think all photographers are different and the clients like to know what the photographer wants. They will frequently say, “Just tell me what you want me to do.” I talk to my subjects a lot when we are shooting. I ask questions about their life and try to get them out of their heads.

Is photojournalism your ideal profession?

Well, I would love to be a rock star but I don’t think that is on the cards.

Do your photos tell a story?

When they are good, yes.

Who have you worked with lately?

I just had a great session the other day with NFL footballer Odell Beckham Jr. It was a memorable one to say the least. I also had a portrait session with someone involved in the U.S.government but I am contractually not at liberty to say anything.

“EVERYONE wants to be photoshopped, EVERYONE! They just don’t want you to notice it”

Are you picky when it comes to clients?

I don’t think so. I can find something interesting about most people.

As an established and esteemed photographer, what are your thoughts on photoshopping models? 

I am all for it (laughs). EVERYONE wants to be photoshopped, EVERYONE! They just don’t want you to notice it. When you are doing a fashion shoot, it is neither reality nor photojournalism. It is a fantasy. So, hell yes! I would say, make them taller, skinnier, get rid of their pimples and wrinkles on their dresses, get rid of those under eye bags, make her eyes bluer, make water and the sky bluer! It is a fantasy; it is not a portrait.

What projects are in the pipeline for you?

I am at a place in my life and career where I want to branch out, do different things, and put branches on a photographic tree that I have spent a few decades building. I am in the process of making a documentary; however, the thing that is most exciting to me is that I have my first book coming out next year titled We All Want Something Beautiful.

It is a collection of my portrait work combined with plenty of unseen snapshots from my time in Los Angeles before I became a professional photographer. There are many images of future Hollywood legends. It is a book in the making for nearly 25 years and I am very proud of it.

What are your interests other than photography?

I really love U.S. politics. I like the election night in America. I would love to follow around a candidate during a presidential campaign.

You struggled with acting. Have you overcome that phase? Can your fans expect any screen projects from you in the coming months or years?

No, no! Nobody is clamoring for me to get back in front of the camera. That chapter is long closed.

“The minute many people get in front of the camera, they immediately put on their ‘I am-having-my-picture-taken’ face. There is nothing spontaneous or authentic about it”

How well do you handle criticism?

I don’t know. I would like to think I handle it well. It matters who is doling it out. I have been criticized by someone I had zero respect for and I didn’t take that well.

Who and what encourages you to persevere?

Perseverance is the hardest thing. Sometimes it is so difficult to keep going when you feel that things aren’t working out for you and you can’t catch a break. It is really the eternal struggle of an artist. What keeps me going? I do personal projects that keep my creatively inspired and it helps.

I think if you only shoot when you are paid, you will be embittered and lose sight of why you picked up a camera to begin with. I have a great woman in my life, my fiancée Valerie who keeps me focused on the blessings of my life. Finally, what encourages me to persevere? I mean, what else can I do? I have been doing this for as long as I can remember.

How was it like working with Charlize Theron? Describe her in one word.

Difficult

Would you rather lose all of your money and valuables or all of the pictures you have ever taken?

That is a no brainer. My pictures are my memories, my diaries.

Black or white? Your favourite color?

Right now, I am into both, black and white.

Are there any place(s) in the world you would like to travel but haven’t yet?

There are tons of places I haven’t visited yet. I have never been to Greece or Spain. These countries top my list. I have never been anywhere in Asia too.

Your preferred fashion designer or label?

I like Tom Ford but he is too expensive. If anyone reading can hook me up with him!

If you were to act opposite anyone in a feature film, who would your dream cast be and why?

Oh, I would love to work opposite Tom Hanks in a movie. He is nice. I think he would take pity on me and when we are done, we would hang out and he would write me little letters on an old vintage typewriter and I would cherish those letters. Maybe Tom Ford would direct the movie so I could kill two birds with one stone (laughs).

What one important thing have you learned from your past struggles? Does it help you to this day?

The most important thing I have learned from my past struggles is a saying by George Harrison, “All things must pass.” The world has a way of working out. Everything always seems to work out.

Photography by Randall Slavin

Continue Reading
By
In Lahore

Aashir Wajahat

Not just another carefree 16 year old, Aashir Wajahat has been working as a child actor since the age of 9, having worked with his father producer/director Wajahat Rauf in Sauteli Maa and Karachi se Lahore as well as having recently launched his music career with a solo single Naya Raasta. Sana Zehra sits down with this bright young spark for quick tete a tete

How did you first realize that music was your niche?

Great artists, like Asim Azhar, Strings and Noori have inspired me a lot in my musical journey. I hope my music connects with people of all ages. I’ve been told by a really senior musician that my first song Naya Raasta sounds way too mature to be coming from a 15 year old. I’m not exactly sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing.

Who helped you achieve where you are at today?

I told my father that I’m interested in starting my musical journey and he helped me get me an ustaad (master) to improve my skills. I learnt how to play different instruments, which led me to composing my first song.

What do you think are the biggest challenges you face being an upcoming artist in the music industry?

Tons! The market is very competitive and there are so many better singers than me. I have to work really hard to make a mark and do something unique.

What hopes do you have for your new song Naya Raasta?

I hope my single brings inspiration to all the young aspiring artists and of course that it is on everyone’s playlist.

How difficult is it to write your own songs?

I’ve always struggled with writing my own songs. For me, that is definitely the hardest part of composing any song.

Do you aim at trying to set your music/lyrics apart from the mainstream conventional music produced in the Pakistani music industry?

I think sometimes we try too hard to be different, hence, almost always end up losing the essence. I try hard to bring some uniqueness to a song or any cover song I attempt to do.

“I’ve always struggled with writing my own songs”

What genre of music would you be interested in working with that hasn’t yet been introduced in Pakistan?

I think most genres have been done in Pakistan but then the beauty about producing music is that you can play around and do something new every day.

Who is the one singer that you would dream to collaborate with and why?

I would love to work with Asim Azhar. He is one of my inspirations and who better to work with than your inspiration.

What insight could you give us on your next projects?

I’m working on Karachi se Lahore 3 releasing next year on Eid. Apart from that I will be releasing my second single soon, so stay tuned.

Continue Reading
By
In Lahore

NABEEL & AQEEL’S Formula of Success

NABEEL & AQEEL, the brand, shot into the limelight in 1999 when its stunning collection of contemporary shalwar kameez with black velvet mandarin collars became a huge hit. With its stylish collections for men and women, the brand continues to impress customers from all over the world.

 “We want to make Nabeel & Aqeel one of the most desired label for men and women all over the world, by creating designs which are unique, desirable, durable, affordable and most importantly, wearable.”

In their pursuit of perfection, the brothers behind the brand have worked day and night and traveled thousands of miles to make the best products for their customers at affordable price in collaboration with the finest and latest production facilities in the world. They are famous in introducing novel and unique products that render their brand apart from others in the same business; thus, being the only one, which always comes up with something different.

The only brand in Asia that makes cigars comparable with any top brand in the world, this is Pakistan’s first designer brand to make perfumes and the country’s only designer brand with such a diverse product line up. Across the board, the brothers, co-founders and partners impress everyone who loves fashion and appreciates finer things in life.

Let’s hear it from Nabeel & Aqeel themselves.

What are you passionate about right now?

It can be anything that inspires and motivates us from walking in the rain to visiting an art gallery, and from a particular colour shade to a person. It’s important to understand why this thing/person is so inspiring to you.

Right now, we are passionate about merging different heritages and cultures, old and new, east and west. The solid, timeless, grandeur of the Badshahi Mosque and the modernity of Kennedy Space Centre are both inspiring and motivational for us. We love Pink Floyd music for its depth, and Van Gogh’s art for its vibrancy. We revel in touring the world, and exploring new avenues, but we always love coming back home to our roots.

It is this attraction of opposites that invokes thoughts and ideas in our minds; it allows us to appreciate the best of everything; it also makes us value time because it never lasts.

Give us your background.

We come from a close knit family. Our father is an educationist, management consultant and a former bureaucrat. Our mother is a home economist and the key person to guide us on the path of fashion and style since our childhood. With the combination of our father’s academic attitude and our mother’s encouragement of fashion, we grew up in an atmosphere, which was very conducive to get our creative juices flowing from an early age. When we were in school, we used to save our pocket money to buy select designer accessories, and were always the source of envy in our friends’ circles. Hence, our tastes were refined at quite an early age. We decided to get our MBA, which provided us with the essentials of setting up our first business. We also obtained formal training in Fashion Design. Nabeel did his diploma from FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology), NYC, and I did an internship at Armani, UK.

Having strong family ties, we rely a lot on the guidance we receive from our parents to plan our paths, and I think it is this attitude that has helped us get Allah’s blessings and amde our path easier.

Tell us about your new collection?

We want to instill comfort in every detail of our collection. Once you try, you will buy.

In our 2107 collection, we tried to redefine comfort; we hope our new collection will change your perception for fashion. Everything changes, we change, fashion changes, what will never change is our passion for our work, to make everything with love. Elegance, style, superb fashion design, attention to detail, perfect wearability, fabric research, value and technological innovation are the most important elements that characterize the Nabeel & Aqeel collections.

What is your fashion philosophy?

We are doing some very new things. It’s all about evolution. What you’ll see is our response to what we have observed going on in the world. It’s about being positive, optimistic and personal. The zeitgeist? We’re on it. Our philosophy is to create things that reflects personality and individuality. It’s all about you. Anyone can dress up in designer uniform and express a certain economic status or trendiness. What’s really interesting is using your clothes to reveal who you really are. Express yourself.

Our aim is to provide you special items that will become a part of your life, garments and accessories you’ll wear in a completely personal way. It’s about being uniue. It’s all about attitude, texture, intelligence, versatility and personal style.

Tell us about your new perfumes collection.

This signature collection of fragrances is inspired by perfumery’s glamorous past when only best ingredients were gathered from around the world to create one-of-kind fragrances of sophistication and luxury.  Featuring 11 aromatic new fragrances for men and women, they are a result of sculpting, refining and finishing the best ingredients with magical fragrances, all redolent of adventure and spice.

Tell us about your much talked about perfume INSANITY.  Why did you choose this name?

We named it Insanity because of its power to seduce. It’s energetically earthy and sexually explicit. The rose lies at its heart note. Not your old auntie’s rose, but a raunchy rose.

“This rose has been up all night, smoking and drinking before staggering home as the sun comes up, loving every moment and looking forward to the next time.”

“The ultimate seducer….This is one of the most gorgeous floral I’ve ever had the pleasure to experience; A love at first sniff; a beautiful stranger, an alluring beast…a master of disguise.”

You are a queen and a princess, a lover and a heartbreaker; too beautiful to control and too wild to love. INSANITY is a seductive fragrance made for free and passionate women. It arouses the senses; woman’s hidden emotions and inexplicable passions with an exotic blend of lush florals and deep wood notes. It is not the one for office, we advise, but if you have seduction in mind.

When designing a perfume, what are the key factors you keep in mind?

The focus has always been on quality materials than expensive packaging.  We create very special, original fragrances that are unconstrained by the conventions of mainstream scent-making. Our fragrances are designed with the true fragrance connoisseur in mind.

Where do you place yourselves in the world of fashion and what do you think of the fashion industry here in Pakistan?

The fashion industry in Pakistan is definitely on the right track. People are becoming more aware of contemporary global fashion, and their expectations from fashion brands in Pakistan are increasing. This directly puts positive pressure and demand on the fashion providers. It’s healthy for the growth of this industry.

Regarding our place in the world of fashion, I think I will let my work and clientele prove this for us. People have given us a lot of acclaim, and it’s an honor that everyone acknowledges the effort and soul we put in our work. The brand of Nabeel & Aqeel is known for its ultra-modern, futuristic, yet classy vision, blended with delicate finesses into its creations.

How much further do you think you have to go before you reach your ultimate goal in life? 

We don’t believe in setting a limit on our dreams and aspirations, as this indicates a tendency to stagnate. We like to think that we are progressive and evolving, and this reflects our philosophy of life. As soon as we achieve one set of goals, we have another target to work for. This is how life goes on. The ultimate goal in our life would be to sit back several years from now and know that we have made a difference in the history of Pakistan’s fashion and culture—a positive difference!

Sidebar

You are a queen and a princess, a lover and a heartbreaker; too beautiful to control and too wild to love. INSANITY is a seductive fragrance made for free and passionate women. It arouses the senses; woman’s hidden emotions and inexplicable passions with an exotic blend of lush florals and deep wood notes. It is not the one for office, we advise, but if you have seduction in mind.

What about music?

We love music. It’s everywhere around us. Thanks to our father and elder brothers, we had the pleasure of enjoying a wide range of music at a very early age. We grew up solving math listening to Pink Floyd. We love all kinds of music from Tiesto to Saain Zahoor, cherishing the enigma of versatile echoes from singers around the globe.  Soon we are launching NOSTALGIA, a collection of CDs, featuring unforgettable music that we love.

Tell us about your cigar collection?

We are the first designer brand in Asia to make cigars.

Nabeel & Aqeel Cigars are blended exclusively with select fine leaves from the best tobacco regions of the world. Its delicate aroma and delicious taste will make you revel in the unique pleasure of smoking a cigar.

We have two different collections: The Connoisseur collection is from Dominican Republic, while the Imperial Havana collection is from Cuba. Both the series have different sizes of cigars. I love our new cigar IMPIRIAL HAVANA 56 that offers exceptional character and flavour. You will fall in love with its taste.

Who is your target customer for your menswear?

Nabeel& Aqeel is targeting a man that aspires to a luxurious lifestyle, high in its style, fashion and elegance quotient. He is a professional man who looks for tasteful, subtle style, fashion conscious, but never a fashion victim; he expects a good relationship between quality and price.

Your favourite scent?

There are many, depends on the mood and the occasion. We love all the perfumes by Nabeel & Aqeel of course. Besides that Creed Aventus and Santal 33 by Le Labo are among our favourites these days.

The perfume you like on a woman?

Insanity it is!

How did the two of you end up working together?

Knowing that we are brothers, it shouldn’t be surprising that we are working together. We have been best friends for as long as we can remember; we went to same school, same college; we used to share our thoughts and ideas with each other and used to get inspired by almost similar things, which led us to start working together.

We have a good business relationship; we motivate each other to do better.  Living in the same house, we get to share our inspirations, thoughts and fashion philosophy with each other constantly. This keeps a sense of coherence in our work and also helps us to bounce our ideas off each other to test their validity.

To keep the balance, however, we distribute and segregate the work load, so that both of us get a chance to see our ideas materialize our ideas. I, Aqeel, am more on a visionary side, the dreamer and Nabeel is the one who transforms those visions into reality.

Continue Reading
By
In Lahore

Hina Kashif GT

Continue Reading
By
In Lahore

Afshan Kalim lunch

Continue Reading
By
In Lahore

Crimson Luxe by Saira Shakira

Continue Reading
By
In Lahore

Ishq-e-Haqqiqi, Qawali Night

Continue Reading
By
In Lahore

Ejaz Gallery

Continue Reading
By
In Lahore

Editor’s Note (September 16-30 2018)

Mahlia S. Lon

It’s all about the latest fashion these days from the runways of NYC to Lahore, from Central Park to The Nishat Hotel, and everything in between. And we have you covered in regards to the freshest looks and standout trends. It’s good to know what key pieces one should invest in to update your look. From Paris, we have an artistic editorial shoot with a ballet theme, that of Black Swan. And globe-trotter Maria Khan tells us about her design inspiration for her jewellery collection.

We visit the lovely home of world renowned Master artist Imran Qureshi. His new house is contemporary, with clean lines and filled with beautiful artworks. What an outstanding art collection he has! He explains the symbolism in his paintings and the techniques of miniature painting he employs for his large scale installations. A must read!

Kanza Zia and Ammar Lasani are the new filmmaking couple responsible for Gumm, a yet to be released feature film doing the rounds of the international film circuit currently. The film is getting extremely positive reviews from critics abroad. We know all about Pakistani actors wanting to work abroad, but Tom Coulston is a British actor wanting to work more here. He had such a good experience working in Teefa in Trouble that he is keen to follow it up. With this and a lot more, we present you with this issue of GT.

Continue Reading
By
In Lahore

This fornight most stylish dressed and why we think so

Who? Shazia Ammar

Why? She’s kept the focus on her Cult Gaia bag and Chanel suit chain fob while keeping the rest simple

Who? Musharaf Hai

Why? Who says you can’t head a major MNC and not be feminine at the same time? She embodies post-modern feminism in her flirty fuschia top

Who? Nomi Ansari

Why? A well-fitting blazer, jeans, streetwear sneakers with black specs is a no-nonsense look that exudes confidence

Who? Anusheh Shahid

Why? Sultry!

Who? Sophie

Why? Just look how effortlessly and expertly she carries off an Ali Xeeshan dupatta with a Western outfit

Who? Sherbano Taseer

Why? She’s pretty in a flattering fit and flare dress

Who? Sara Lalani

Why? Love her whimsical tape measure belt

Who? Saba Qamar

Why? She’s elegant in an Elan princessy ballgown

Who? Saheefa Jabbar & Hussain Rehar

Why? Coordinated neutrals are so pleasing to the eye

Who? Mawra Hocane

Why? Nothing spells sexy like a well tied sari

Who? Seemi Pasha

Why? This is how to do a print

Who? Misbah Mumtaz

Why? She is working that tribal patchwork jacket. Ab-tastic!

Continue Reading
By
In TRANSCENDENTAL VISION

At home with Imran Qureshi

Master artist Imran Qureshi explains the concepts behind his mural installations at the National Cathedral D.C., the Islamabad National Airport, and the Shahi Hamam during the Lahore Biennale, as well as why his work fetches such a high price internationally

By Mahlia Lone

How did you get into art?

I’m from Hyderabad, Sind, where I grew up. I enjoyed art at school and was a favourite of my Art teacher who had attended Sir J. J. School of Art, Mumbai. But I had no idea I could take it up as a profession. My uncle suggested I attend the NCA (National College of Arts) for further studies. My father, the Principal of City College in Hyderabad, supported the idea and brought me to Lahore to see the institution for myself and decide if I’d be happy here.

At the NCA, I enrolled to study Miniature Painting in the Fine Arts department. I was fortunate to learn from Professors Quddus Mirza, Zahoor ul Akhlaq, Iqbal Hussain, Saeed Akhtar and Salima Hashmi. But in class I felt like a nobody. It was only when I turned in my work and got appreciated by these Master artists that I felt like a somebody. It was also at the NCA that I met Aisha (Khalid), now my wife, who was two years junior to me.

I graduated in 1993 and joined the faculty. I head the Miniature department now.

How did you, being a Muslim artist from Pakistan, get invited to put up an installation at the National Cathedral in D.C., the site of memorial services for top Americans, like U.S. Presidents and military leaders?

It’s not the first time I’ve been asked to put up an installation at a religious site. In 2006, I was asked by curator Sharmini Pereira to put up an installation in Singapore’s largest mosque for the Singapore Biennale. The mosque’s liberal clerics were apprehensive about how the Muslim community would receive an art work in the mosque, but my installation — a video plus painted work — got such a positive response that although initially it was to be put up only for a six month period, a part of the installation has become a permanent exhibit in the mosque.

Then, after seeing my work at the Sainte-Geneviève Library (Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, a public and university library) in Paris, I was asked by a British gallery owner to put up three installations in Cornwall, including one at the Truro Cathedral.

Virginia Shore, curator of Halcyon’s By The People (an international arts and dialogue festival in Washington D.C.) asked me to work on a site-specific art work for the National Cathedral in D.C.

I did not want to make a controversial piece but wanted to respect a place of worship and the religious belief of the worshippers there. Hence, I chose to paint water as a symbol of life and peace. Blue, which I’ve used a lot, is the colour of water, peace and a reflection of the sky. The blue spills out of the Cathedral’s main entrance and spreads around. The water has a life energy and flow to it. As life comes out of water, I painted green foliage coming out of the water. My work is a continuation of the mural frieze surrounding the doorway frame, which depicts the creation of humans.

The people who came to take a look really liked and appreciated my work.

How do you translate your miniature painting skills to large scale art works?

I shift the scale but use the same detailing, flow and stylization of miniature painting. Each scale has its challenges and comfort.

Explain the idea behind your largest mural painting to date Pages of Perfection at the new Islamabad International Airport.

I was asked by Nur Jehan Bilgrami who was curating to present a concept for the mural. Then PM Nawaz Sharif wanted a calligraphy. Neither did I want to use calligraphy as a decorative element link it in a conceptual way, nor randomly choose an ayat. We had a lot of meetings where we discussed the concept with the committee. This is my first public permanent installation in Pakistan. Mine is in the Domestic lounge and Aisha’s is in the International lounge, both lounges divided by a glass wall so you can see both simultaneously.

The mural is 12 feet by 200 feet, comprised of 100 canvases and took me eight to nine months to complete. It’s made to resemble unfolding pages of an Islamic manuscript. I chose Surah Qadar because it’s about the Night of Power when the Quran Sharif descended to the Prophet. It’s about sky, travel, movement and energy, so I thought it was appropriate. I used the colour palette of Mughal Islamic manuscripts: gold, turquoise, white. The mural is contemporary but the feel and ornamentation is inspired by Islamic manuscripts. My work is infused with my vocabulary .

There’s a lot of red depicting bloodshed and violence in your paintings. Do you think that using violence as a theme played a role in your international popularity?

No, I started using red to show blood when there were a lot of bomb blasts around the world. Before that when Pakistan tested its nuclear device, I was painting nuclear warheads so violence has always been a prevailing theme of my work. I’ve had an international art following for quite a while now irrespective of the theme.

Explain your gold and red installation at the Shahi Hamam for the Lahore Biennale this year.

In miniature painting, a lot of gold is used. Gold is a solid metal. I wanted to juxtapose it next to fluid and fragile blood and engage in a dialogue between the two.

Which awards are you most proud of?

So far, I am most proud of the Sharjah Biennale award I received as well as the U.S. State Department’s Medal of Art.

Which galleries sell your work?

For continental Europe, Thaddeus Ropac galleries in Paris and Salzburg and for the U.K. Cormivora in London.

Who are some of the collectors of your work?

My work has been bought by museums for their collections. I don’t like to name my private collectors. The galleries vet the buyers of my work to assess that they are serious collectors and not speculative buyers since the prices are high. There are more collectors of my work abroad than there are here.

Then tell us what kind of collector invests in your murals?

I can talk about Christian Louboutin since he’s a personal friend. He collects my art, I collect his shoes. (Indeed, Imran has a vast collection of Louboutin spikey loafers.)

What’s on your agenda next?

In the next one year, I am putting up installations in Al Ain, UAE, Washinton D.C., Paris and London. I can’t speak about these projects presently as they will all be officially announced.

Photography by Ali Agha

Continue Reading
By
In Lahore

Fashion Fever

Continue Reading
By
In Lahore

White Out!

Continue Reading
By
In Lahore

Patchwork

By Mahlia S. Lone

At NYFW S/S 2019, Ralph Lauren celebrated his 50th anniversary show in grand style in a specially constructed pavilion in the Bethesda Terrace Tunnel in Central Park. Patchwork rugs (Pakistani patchwork carpets have been in vogue for a while) covered the runway and the collection was in his trademark All-American cool style with a cross-generational appeal. Though the American West set in contemporary Stateside was the prevailing theme, one element that leapt out was the patchwork reminiscent of tribal Pakistani and Afghani handicrafts and garments. Heavy coats and luxe dresses constructed with a patchwork of rich fabrics, like crushed velvet, wool knits, leather, fur, brocade, sequins, tweed and denim, as well as embroidered vests and paisley scarves showed that our collective heritage was on display. To overcome the hefty price tags on these Ralph Lauren designer pieces, we can look closer to home to emulate this style.

Gigi Hadid in a $20,000 patchwork dress and chandelier earrings

Kaia Gerber, Cindy Crawford’s daughter

Scarf woven with paisleys, a traditional Kashmiri motif

Patchwork rugs

Embroidery on waistcoat

Continue Reading
By
In Lahore

PINK

By Mahlia S. Lone

One of the season’s most noticeable color trends is pink, in shades from bubblegum to dusty rose, and from salmon to fuschia. Pantone identified Pink Peacock as one of the top shades of the moment. The color exploded on the Brian Maxwell S/S 19 show at NYFW, was seen in collections by Kate Spade New York, by Cushnie and on various other runways. Always charming and feminine, pink can easily be incorporated into your wardrobe.

Brandon Maxwell S/S 19 at NYFW

Kate Spade New York bag

Gigi Hadid at the  Brandon Maxwell show

Cushnie

Pantone: Pink Peacock

Continue Reading
By
In Discovering British actor

Tom Coulston

Having starred in this year’s successful Teefa in Trouble, Tom Coulston is living his dream of being a global actor. Born and raised in Sheffield, England, he has mostly been cast in TV shows though he will appear in the upcoming short films In2ruders and Seen this year. Tom discussed his experience filming in Pakistan with Haider Rifaat

Describe yourself in a few words.

Passionate, hardworking, caring, over sensitive and those who are very close to me would probably say that I am moody at times.

Tell us about yourself.

I was born in Sheffield to my parents Anne Marie and Andrew. My mom’s Scottish and her dad was Irish. My father was born in Sheffield where I was raised as a child. I have family in Scotland but my immediate family is in Sheffield. I live in London but I try to regularly visit my parents and grandparents. I have a younger brother who is happily married. My dad is a retired firefighter; he served in the fire service for 30 years. My mother works as a Scenes of Crime Officer and deals with murders and burglaries, like in CSI. (Laughs)

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy keeping fit; I try to play football if I can. Growing up, football was my passion! I used to play for Sheffield United Juniors. I go to the gym regularly. I am into boxing and like doing circuit training and punch bag. I like socializing with my loved ones, the wildlife, nature and traveling. I visited Italy this year, which was beautiful. Spain is one of my favourite places, especially Madrid.

What made you want to become an actor?

I never set out to be an actor. I started modeling when I was 20 and built my confidence that way. I did a few campaign shoots and different modeling jobs, including catwalk. I never really thought about acting, that was the natural transition. I felt that the industry chose me rather than me choosing it because of all the opportunities I was gifted with. I worked on my first feature film in 2013 as a bar man in the gangster film Top Dog directed by Martin Kemp. It was his directorial debut.

I got my lines in the morning and learned them for my character. I rehearsed them with Martin and he told me that I did it perfect. I worked as a personal trainer at a gym and, in 2014, I decided to do my training with L.A. acting coach Michael John Gonzales. Although he moved back, I trained with him for 3 years. The industry is a good place to be and I relish all the opportunities I get. I feel like I am on the right path.

Is performing arts your dream career?

Yes, I would definitely say that now that I find myself in the acting realm, it is my passion. I hope things keep progressing nicely as they have so far. I have had and some good roles. Teefa in Trouble for me is one of my best roles to date. It was such an amazing experience and I pray I get many more. I feel honoured and privileged to be a part of it.

Why did you decide to do Teefa in Trouble? How were you approached for the project?

I modeled for Pakistan Fashion Week in London in 2012 and a good friend of mine, who is a director and photographer, kept in touch. We did a few collaborations together. He was a friend of Ali Zafar’s. He knew about the role of Andy and he put me up for it.

I had the conversation with Ahsan Rahim, the director on the phone about the character. I did a self-tape for them so they could see my acting ability. They could visualize me playing Andy’s role and the next thing I knew, I was flying out to Lahore to do my scenes. I lived with Ali and his beautiful family. They were so kind and welcomed me with open arms. I hope I get the opportunity to come back soon!

How was the transition of film from England to Pakistan? Is there any stark difference you noted?

Filming in Pakistan was great. When I filmed in Lahore, all my scenes were studio based. The internal train set that Ali had purposefully built along with the rest was unbelievable to look at. One thing that blew my mind was when I first got to Lahore, I went to meet Ahsan Rahim and the cast was filming at the Lahore train station.

The fact that the train station was running normally and right beside it was the film set where Ali was performing his stunts. I found that quite incredible because if it were here in England or Hollywood, it would probably be a closed set. The train station would not be the actual one for an international production. Everybody was professional on set. I was honoured to work alongside everybody.

How was it like working with Ali Zafar and Maya Ali?

It was great to work with Maya and Ali. My first scene was in Lahore with Maya Ali. She really is a sweetheart. Before we filmed, we got the chance to speak to each other. I found out that she has family in Scotland like myself. She is such a kind, warm and loving girl and an amazing actress as well. I do wish her the very best. She was phenomenal in Teefa in Trouble.

Ali is literally the Tom Cruise of Pakistan. He is so talented. I saw him do many of his own stunts, which were amazing. All his passion goes into everything he does. He gave me some advice on my character, which worked really well. It was a true honor to work with Ali, Maya, Ahsan and the dream team.

Are you happy with the film’s response? Do you think the success of Teefa in Trouble will open more doors for you in the future?

It is incredible to see how well the film has done in Pakistan. The film opened to a house full in London. My parents went across to Manchester to see it and I was waiting for them at the theater. A few audience members recognized me as Andy.

The fans were so kind that they wanted photos with me. It was good to see how proud my parents were. I am happy to be a part of something so historic. It would be great to come back and work in Pakistan again. I hope Teefa in Trouble opens a few doors for me.

What is next for you?

I have a few things coming up. I worked on film In2ruders and another one called Seen. They are coming out later in the year. I am still modeling so that keeps my head above waters. I am still busy with that and I enjoy it. Back in May, I worked on a television production, which will be shown in America, and England titled Flack. I play an interesting role that of Jay, a flamboyant, really out there character. He has an affair with a footballer.

I believe that comes out in the U.K. and the U.S. next year and I am sure my character will make an impact. I was lucky to work with an Oscar winning performer, Anna Paquin on this production. She very kindly praised my performance as Jay. She was the first millennial to win an Oscar and I cannot wait for it to come out next year. I am also constantly auditioning because that is how it goes in this industry.

Continue Reading
By
In Twinkle Twinkle

Maria Khan

Hong Kong-based jewellery designer who currently lives in London, Maria Khan was trained at the London College of Fashion. With strong ties to Middle East, Asia and the U.K., Maria has been one of the few lucky ones to have been exposed to a variety of rich cultures and was able to draw on her experiences to create her unique jewellery pieces. Her eponymous line attracts a well-heeled global clientele, looking for something different. Her jewellery has been featured in no less than Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle magazines. Maria sits down with Sana Zehra and tells her about her design aesthetic and company ethos

How did you become a jewellery designer?

I studied Fashion Technology & Womenswear at the London College of Fashion. While working in fashion, I became obsessed with completing looks with right accessories.  A few years later I moved to Hong Kong with my family, and that’s where I discovered my true passion for jewellery and gems. That was almost ten years ago

What jewellery trends do you predict for the coming months?

In my opinion, jewellery is timeless and the theory of trends doesn’t apply as much to it.  My new collection is Art Deco in theme, and I have incorporated the sensibility and mixture of Asian aesthetics with this.

What is different about your designs?

My designs are based on the fusion of cultures.  I keep my designs versatile and fashion flexible, thus, making them very sustainable.

How did you get so many famous faces to wear your pieces?

It’s been a journey for my brand, and certainly didn’t happen overnight.  When your work is good, ultimately it gets noticed.  At the same time, I have been amongst the lucky few who have had the chance to showcase my designs via some famous faces.

What’s your favourite piece/s from your collection?

I work for my passion and each piece is very close to my heart.  But what I love most is my collection of bracelets; I don’t leave home a single day without wearing one.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Travelling has been my biggest inspiration. I am fortunate enough to call several amazing cities around the world home.  I have had the chance to live and learn through various cultures and people.  My biggest inspirations come from people-watching.  I can spend hours wandering around in bazaars and streets to find the uniqueness in people.

What are some of your top achievements so far?

Every stage I get excited and keep counting my blessings; I hope that biggest one is yet to come.

What are the dos and don’ts when accessorizing?

Top rule of accessorizing would be is to keep it simple.  Less is more.  Our super star, Mahira Khan is a great example; one statement piece speaks more than a thousand words.  Invest in key pieces, quality is more important than quantity. Keep outfits simple and choose solid colours so that it doesn’t go out of trend fast.  These few outfits can be accessorized in many styles.  Like how French women do it.

Biggest fashion mistake women make when they choose their pieces?

My pet peeve is when woman follow trends without understanding what will work on them. For example, there are many styles of earrings and different shapes works differently with each face cut.  Additionally, the length of your neck should be a consideration for the length of your earrings.  A similar rule applies for necklaces; check your type and then decide the length.

Is this quote ever true, “I have enough jewellery?”

I would not agree to that at all.  One can have fewer clothes, but never enough jewellery, since those can be passed on to the next generation. Jewellery holds the beauty of being timeless.

Any messages for upcoming jewellery designers?

Find your style, and don’t follow trends blindly. And of course, promote sustainability.

Continue Reading
By
Pin It