Posts Tagged ‘Zehra Ali’

By Zehra Ali

The current superstar, who once struggled to make his livelihood by making portraits and paintings, was the highest bidder at an art auction for a cause.

An art auction event by Sanjan Nagar was held to collect funds to help under privileged girls in acquiring advanced education. During the auction where renowned elitist of the society were present, Ali started bidding for a painting, in tough competition with a gentleman.

He didn’t give up until he bought the painting apparently for almost a million Pakistani Rupees. Source says that when he heard about the cause of the auction Zafar, who is already known to be associated with various charity works, didn’t think twice about attending the event and ended up sponsoring higher education for 40 girls.

The underprivileged girls consist of those whose parents being poor, cannot afford their education, are now going to be studying sciences like neurology, medical and even strive to be astronauts. When asked by the press to make a statement concerning this matter, Ali Zafar’s spokesperson responded that he didn’t want to take any credit as he thinks it was his duty, like every other individual whose been granted the means and power, to give back to his society.

In taking this philanthropic step, Ali Zafar has proven to be an inspiration setting an example for those in tinsel-town where everyone should definitely follow lead for the betterment of their society.

By Zehra Ali

Jolie stars in the new thriller opposite Johnny Depp and Paul Bettany. The trio, including Brad Pitt, donned tailored suits to protect against the chill in NYC while the lady of the evening was clad in an Atelier Versace winter white cashmere gown.

Jolie chatted earlier with reporters at a press day for the film and revealed that her wardrobe in ‘The Tourist’ actually took on a life of its own.

“It was so much a character in the film,” she explained. “I felt like I was back in one of those old time movies where they really cinch you in and twist you around and add that and move this and build, really build wardrobe around, that your shoes match your gloves, match your handbag, match the thing in your hair.”

And while the lovely actress always seems so well put together, Jolie insists that finding her way into being a totally “done” female wasn’t easy for her.

“It was very different than anything that I’ve ever worn. It took me a while to get the heels and the gloves and how to hold the handbag,” she said. “I think everybody knows I’m not necessarily that female in that way. So it was a little bit of an exercise to get in there. And it was fun for the first few weeks but then I was really happy to step away when I did.”

Will the actress’s hard work be rewarded alongside the A-list cast chosen for this movie? Only time will tell as it hits the Box Office.

Official Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/v/QhCUM2fp9FQ&autoplay=1

By Zehra Ali

The multifaceted Katrina has decided to appear in Ali Zafar’s next music album. Ali stars alongside Katrina Kaif in their upcoming flick with Yash Raj called ‘Mere Brother Ki Dulhan’.

During breaks in between, Ali is often seen playing his guitar while Katrina often joins him. In the film, Kaif is supposed to play a guitar. She told Ali that if the film is a hit she will feature in his album for free.

When asked about this, Ali laughed and said, “Yes, Katrina is very sweet and told me she would be a part of my album.”
Kaif is learning the basics to playing this very instrument and she will most probably play it for Ali Zafar’s album when it is released.

By Zehra Ali

We have been devouring these noodles while growing up and let’s face it: it does not matter what age you are, 2 minute noodles are always placed in that emergency cabinet reserved solely for when you get the munchies. This year Knorr introduces their new marketing campaign targeting children between the ages of 5-12 (sorry adults), revolving around the “Quest for the Golden Noodle Pot”, by launching an animated series that ran up to 3 episodes.

If you just so happened to have caught the series playing in between your daily drama serial, you’d realize that Knorr advertised with an angle. Asima Haq, Marketing Manager of Knorr said, “Knorr’s Quest for the noodle pot can be classified as ‘Edu-tainment’. This is absolutely true of the cartoons that aim at encouraging healthy habits within the young, through introduction of vegetables which would indeed taste better when eaten with noodles. As the voiceovers are done in urdu, it caters to a large audience nationwide and is quite entertaining to watch.

Our story begins in the land of Knorr where a mystical cooking pot has been kept safe by the pious village people while it continues to cook delicious noodles for all. When our young hero, Ramiz looses the key which protects this pot which leads to it getting stolen, he embarks on an adventurous journey with his cousin Rania to retrieve it from an Evil Chef.

The voiceovers of these characters are done by a talented cast whom we watch performing on TV on a daily basis.

Evil Chef: Television funny man Faisal Qureshi lends his voice to the Evil Chef, the Knorr Quest villain who steals the Knorr Noodle Pot!
Chatty: A Knorr Quest character whose special power allows her to talk to animals, Chatty is played by actress Sania Saeed.
Chuck: Lending his voice to character Chuck is actor Adeel Hashmi. Chuck’s powers allow him to navigate to any place in the world.
Koochoo: Arjumand Rahim plays Koochoo, whose sixth sense super power allows her to sense what people, plants and even rocks are thinking!
Chopstix: Also played by Arjumand Rahim. Chopstix is a Karate Expert.
Limchoo: Limchoo’s character can transport people through time and space. Played by Momin Durrani.
Hal: Has the power to generate heat and fire and this character is played by voice over specialist Dr. Yasir.
Big Jinn: Played by actor and media personality Imran Aslam, Big Jinn guides Rania and Ramiz towards the noodle pot throughout the Knorr Quest.
Mayor of Knorr Kounty: Played by actor/singer/comedian Khaled Anam, who is Ramiz’s father.
Ramiz: The hero of Knorr Quest, Ramiz is ten years old and the son of the Knorr County mayor. Ramiz’s character is played by Syed Fazal of Ramchand Pakistani fame.
Rania: Ramiz’s 12 year old elder cousin, Rania is played by young actress Aniqa Adil and is his partner in the quest to find the Knorr noodle pot.
Mrs Mayor: is Ramiz’s mother.
Nani: is Ramiz’s grandmother played by Faiza Kazai
Churail: Played by Faiza Kazai

To find out more about the Knorr Noodle Quest log onto their Facebook fanpage:

http://www.facebook.com/KnorrQuest?v=wall

By Zehra Ali

Ever wondered what the models in Pakistan are up to when they are not working, socializing and running a household as well as handling their children? If you know Nadia Hussain, you’d know that they launch their own shoe collections. After making waves in Karachi with the launch of her first ever collection titled “Fetish”, Nadia has cat walked her way to Lahore to offer people here a chance to explore their fetish.

We got in touch with the model herself for a pre-launch interview to ask her about this new project that she has taken up.

Q1) You have been modeling for quite some time, what or who convinced you to diversify with your own shoe collection?

Variety surely is the spice of life and even though I have no plans to quit the fashion scene any time soon, it was surely time to do something a bit different other than acting and modeling. When the idea and the offer came up to start my own brand of shoes I truly jumped at it!

Q2) Any particular reason as to why you chose to collaborate with “Flitz” for this collection?

Well the idea came up by “Flitz” to have a collaboration of sorts and when I had seen the shoes that they had already been making for export, I was very impressed. I knew that Inshallah this would be a good deal, thus our partnership began.

Q3) Have you taken inspiration from any particular source? Is there any specific shoe designer or brand whose footsteps you would want your business to follow in?

Shoes really cannot be much different from what they have been like for perhaps the previous 5000 years. So, if you know that the gladiator sandal inspiration comes from the time of Jesus, then you can say that inspiration comes from anything that I might see or fancy. It could be the design of a broche, the color of the leather being used or the design of the straps or anything really. Hence, there is no specific design house that I would want to follow. Though, as far as shoes go I would love to be as famous as Jimmy Choo.

Q4) Having already launched your shoe collection in Karachi, what has the response been from fellow colleagues and fans alike?

Mashallah it has been awesome! We had targeted pre-eid time to launch them, thus the shopping fervor was very much there. When I held the red carpet event, I have to say that all my friends really made an effort to come even if they were in the middle of shoots. As far as fans go, they came from far and wide places like Sukkur and Hyderabad and I think I have not posed for the camera as much as I did that day to fulfill their own sweet little desires to be standing alongside me.

Q5) Being a working mother, do you fear that you have perhaps taken on too much with modeling and now your on shoe collection?

None of my projects over-lap. As far as modeling goes, perhaps people don’t know or realize that there are no shows happening nowadays because of the current situations in our country. As far as shoots go, that really doesn’t take as much time as people think it does. It is surely shorter than any average 9-5 day job. Besides, I am not out shooting everyday. As far as acting, I had done some projects last year so I am not doing many acting projects this year. Effectively I am not as busy as people may think me to be. I believe I haven’t taken on too much at all. For shoe designing, I work on 2-3 designs at a time over a sufficient period of time.

Q6) Speaking of which, how do you juggle everything together? After diversifying, how do you expect your routine and life to change?

As I have explained earlier, my life has really not changed dramatically as far as routine or timings go. It’s very much still in my own hands and under my control. I do always have time to spend with my kids, go for my shoots or host projects and then, work on my shoe designing. After which, I always come back home to put the kids to bed.

Q7) What is the concept behind your shoe collection? How is it different from every other brand present in the market?

The concept is for the time being, focused more on flats and some heels. Generally the shoes have big chunky stones and diamantes and interesting designs with chains and mesh. We are not however, working in winter shoes like pumps and such. How it is different is in the sense that whatever one will get from my exhibition at least won’t be available anywhere else.

Q8) What is your target market for this shoe collection?

My target market consists of any age bracket from 15-70 years plus. I guess if you are asking about the class bracket then my shoe collection may be bought by people within the middle to upper class bracket as the shoe prices range from  Rs1500-3500/-

Q9) You have entered a field with severely tough competition. Do you feel intimidated at times?

There is no competition as far as shoes go but yes, generally there is an atmosphere of competition and at times it does make me feel a bit overwhelmed. However, I never get intimidated. Honestly, I feel that I can truly look the lion in the eyes.

Q10) What can potential buyers in Lahore expect out of your shoe collection to be revealed on the 3^rd of November?

Inshallah they will be happy with the experience of buying from my exhibition because of the competitive prices and good range of designs available within flats as well as heels.

Q11) Which PR company did you choose for your exhibition and why?

I used Bilal Mukhtar’s PR and Events as my agency and the reason for that is that I truly feel that opportunities should be given to young blood. Who knows? They might turn out to be better that the bigwigs. Bilal also happens to be a friend of mine so, when he offered to help me I was more than willing to give him a chance to do so.

So ladies, are you willing to discover what your fetish is?

Find out what tickles your sole at Nadia Hussain’s exclusive shoe exhibition on the 3^rd and 4^th November.

By Zehra Ali and Neha Kamran

Bonnie Jean, America’s well-loved brand, is available at US department stores like Macy’s. Ladylike yet affordable, the brand has been worn by celebrities including young Sasha Obama at her father’s inaugural event.

Very recently Laaleen Khan, an entrepreneur with a diversified media background, decided to undertake the initiative of distributing this brand of apparel in Pakistan. Born in Lahore, she was university-educated in Massachusetts and is interested in bringing the best that the world has to offer to Pakistan

Bonnie Jeans offers girls’ clothing sizes from newborn up to 16 years.

Ink paid a visit to Bonnie Jean’s exhibition and got in touch with the woman in charge, who made it all happen.

How was the turnout for the exhibition?

Even though it was the tail end of Eid, we had a great turnout. Our target clientele was determined to make it to the exhibition. We had fashion-conscious mothers and their equally fashion-conscious young daughters, stylish professionals with their nieces and everyone who gets invited to friends’ baby showers in attendance.

How long will the exhibition last?

This occasion marked the launch of our brand, Bonnie Jean of NYC, at Kingson, Gulberg Main Boulevard, Lahore. In keeping with the demands of our Pakistani fan-base, our plans include stocking Bonnie Jean apparel at tasteful retail locations across the city as well as across the country. We held a test exhibition in Islamabad in early September, where we had a phenomenally positive response and our fans in Karachi are impatient for our arrival as well. Our fan-base grows daily and includes women from as far as Gilgit! India and the UAE are also next on our agenda.

What sort of clothes do you generally display?

Our current Fall/Winter 2010-11 Collection is in stock at our store in Kingson, as well as online, and includes an exciting array of party dresses, tea dresses, preppy daytime outfits, sweater-dresses and ladylike winter coat and dress sets. From November, our Holiday/Xmas Collection will be displayed and will include sumptuous fabrics and velvets in an array of wintery outfits including sparkly party dresses and classic hounds-tooth coat and dress sets.

Within what price ranges are these clothes available?

Generally, our prices range from Rs. 1,800 to Rs. 6,000+. Our aim is that they remain quite affordable, though of course it’s a challenge whenever the rupee weakens against the dollar.

Where will the store be opened?

* LAHORE: Retailing now @S.A. Accessories store, Kingson, Ground Floor, Gulberg Main Boulevard, (between Empire Center & Men’s Store) 0423-5788675

* KARACHI: Nov 12th & 13th Launch & Exhibition @Grandeur Gallery, 15-C, Zamzama Blvd 0213-5435744 & 5360774

* ISLAMABAD: Nov 5th & 6th Exhibition @L’Atelier, One Kohistan Rd near St. 2, F-8/3 051-2287055

* DUBAI: By appointment only- wajihatareen@gmail.com

* INQUIRIES: delishnyc.brands@gmail.com

* ONLINE CATALOG:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pakistan/Bonnie-Jean-Of-NYCs-Online-Catalog/105825609479368?ref=search

You can also find info & clients’ quotes from our facebook group page:

Search Bonnie + Jean + NYC (“Bonnie Jean of NYC: Affordable Couture for Little Ladies- Newborn to 16”)

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=110108092348184&v=wall

By Zehra Ali

After seven weeks of sold out shows in Indian cinema, Ali Zafar’s Bollywood debut film is making its presence felt in the United States of America. This comedy hit of summer 2010 has amused the mainstream American audience as the opening film at the Friars Club Comedy Film Festival in New York which started on 23rd of September, 2010.

The Friars Club is an institution since its founding in 1904, and its membership has included entertainment icons from the Marx Brothers, Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball to Billy Crystal and Jerry Seinfeld.

Another interesting happening at the club festival is its annual ‘roasts’ of iconic celebrities. This year Samuel Jackson will ‘roast’ Quentin Tarantino at the festival. In addition, a lifetime achievement award will be presented to Jerry Lewis.

The Friar’s club comedy annual film festival boasts the funniest films from Sundance and other festivals. The opening of this festival by an Indian comedy and that too with a Pakistani lead actor would be a rare event at Friar’s.

The press response at this occasion was incredible. The director Abhishek Sharma attended the event but Ali Zafar was not able to leave for the US due to his commitments for flood relief efforts in his country.

By Amara Javed
Edited By Zehra Ali

The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) are the one of the biggest musical events of the year. But unlike other industry awards, this event is known for emphasizing more towards popularity as opposed to actual musical talent. As music seems to lose its edge year by year, the VMAs get crazier and crazier. Hey, something needs to distract us from the lack of real music talent in the world. This year was no different, from the continuing Kanye West- Taylor Swift feud to the zany Lady Gaga picking up 8 trophies, the VMAs provided a substantial amount of faux-music entertainment.

For me, however, it’s always about the fashion. The VMA red carpet is always interesting to watch, celebs are willing to step out of the box and the atmosphere is carefree and fun. This year most celebs seemed to shy away from color and risks in general. Like its award show predecessors, the VMA’s saw a showcase of metallics and nude palettes with some texture thrown in. The predominant trends on this white carpet were the colors black and white; almost all of the best dressed females at this event sported the two colors, some in combination. Read on to see who was fab and who looked like they were in need of a fashion intervention.

Let’s take a look at the black and white ladies first. Twilight starlet Ashley Greene wore a white strapless Giambattista Valli minidress with a black lace overlay on the bodice. The dress fits perfectly and she looks absolutely lovely. Her slightly smokey eyes and honey highlights look perfect. Black accessories toughen up the look, preventing it from looking too sweet. I do wish she would wipe that miserable look off her face, it was impossible to find a picture of her smiling.

Ashley’s co-star Kirsten Prout (I’ve never heard of her) also showed up wearing a white Tadashi Shoji minidress. I love the details on this dress – the pleating, the folds, the ruffles – they all make the otherwise monotone dress look fierce.

There’s been a lot of negative banter about Ciara’s couture Givenchy dress but I for one fell in love with it. I think her whole look is perfection, a strappy shoe but have worked better than the platform pump but she somehow is making it all work. I love everything – from the combination of textures to the ombre feather skirt. She is definitely working this.

Modern Family actress Sofia Vergara dons one of my favorite trends – sequins. She looks stunning wearing a sequined Dolce and Gabbana shift dress, quite similar to the dress worn by Angelina Jolie at the Salt premiere in L.A. But Sofia brings something Angelina did not, and that is oomph. She accomplishes this with movie-star waves and statement earrings. Hot.

Metallics and sparkle have been huge for seasons now. From Cannes to the Emmy’s we have seen celebs rocking this trend. Audrina Patridge is not one of my favorite fashion star but on this night she looked a lot better than most. She wears a sparkling silver Isaac Mizrahi mini dress with a Judith Leiber belt and lots of bling in the form of stacked bangles. My favorite part of this look? Those killer Balmain heels. Those are probably the most beautiful things to walk down the white carpet that night.

Florence Welch, Lo Bosworth and the adorable Selena Gomez all opted for metallic dresses. And all three of them disappointed. Florence Welch is wearing an absolutely beautiful Givenchy couture gown, but it seems to be drowning her. Long sleeves are not easy to work. Lo Bosworth continues her streak of making herself look 20 years older than her actual age – this girl never seems to get it right. Selena Gomez wears a Reem Acra gown which looks like it’s suited for Joan Jetson. The color and material is just too space age, not the best look for a 16 year old.

There were many looks which had me scratching my head, going ‘huh?’ Of course at the top of this list was Lady Gaga. There is no doubt that she aims to shock, but wearing hideous dresses made out of raw meat seem extreme even for her. I don’t buy into all this debate about her trying to make a statement with her choice of outfit, the only motive was to be talked about. And it worked.

Katy Perry’s Marchesa gown is a bit confusing. It looks like it belongs on a figure skater, at the same time I kind of love it. What ruins this look for me is the tacky hair, she looks like a 4 year old with cheap clip-ons. Tragic mistake.

Judging by the fashion, the VMAs seem to be slowly fizzling out. No memorable fashion moment came out of this night. I have a feeling it will all go downhill from here.

By Zehra Ali

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz has been suspended for six months after it was ruled that he disrupted an anti-doping test ahead of the World Cup. The country’s Sports Institute said an inquiry found that Queiroz insulted an anti-doping team and that his aggressive manner upset their work. The Portuguese Football Federation had already suspended Queiroz for one month for misconduct at the incident in May.

Neither the federation nor Queiroz, 57, have yet to comment on the ruling

By Zehra Ali

Given the wobbly state of media in the digital age, it is easy to forget that news is not always about profits and scandals. But for survivors of Pakistan’s massive floods, the day’s news can be the difference between life and death. That is exactly where BBC is innovating and adapting by airing radio “lifeline programming” in both Pashto and Urdu to about 60 and 80 million people.

The emphasis is on the need to deliver information, as aid itself. In which case, the BBC World Service Trust is the aid agency. By delivering information, they wish to target the masses within Pakistan who might have been harrowed by false pictures or beliefs as people do have the right to know and be aware of their own country’s conditions.