A signature 'Shehla' bride is elegant, powerful yet simple: Shehla Chatoor

With Fashion Pakistan Week (FPW) right around the corner, we caught up with fashion week stalwart, Shehla Chatoor, who'll be showing on Day 1.

Chatoor has kept her bridal wear, the very thing that made her famous, off the runway until now. But adapting to the changing ways of the sartorial game, the designer is ready to take the plunge and make her bridal debut this weekend.

1) You're showing bridals at fashion week for the first time. What made you take the leap? What are you hoping the brand will gain from the exposure?

Shehla Chatoor (SC): I started my label 'Shehla' with a bridal and trousseau line 20 years ago. My brand is primarily associated with bridal wear but I always opted to show my luxury pret at fashion weeks.

Since the theme at FPW15 is winter/festive and in Pakistan, winter is all about wedding festivities, we chose to showcase our bridals and wedding-wear. Also, this year we celebrate the labels’ milestone 20th anniversary and therefore, we wanted to celebrate by giving a glimpse of what our brand in primarily known for, which is bridals.

2) What can you tell us about your upcoming bridal collection 'All The Raj'? How will it stand apart from other bridal collections we’ve seen this year?

SC: ll The Raj' is inspired from sub-continent royalty, the grandeur of yore and subtle style influences left by the British. This vintage revivalist collection is also a sincere ode to traditional craftsmen. This collection is timeless and regal with a contemporary twist and is for the classic and boho-edgy brides.The opulent collection is offset with exquisite handmade in-house jewels specially created for this collection and bejewelled and ornamental clutches,batwas, even shoes.

3) What’s the one thing (ok, maybe two or three things) you hate to see on a bride?

SC: OTT (over the top) brides or brides who literally look like they are trapped in their bridals.

4) What kind of woman is a Shehla Chatoor bride?

SC: A signature 'Shehla' bride is someone who is elegant, powerful yet simple. She is someone who respects tradition with a contemporary twist, looking for old world luxury, seeking high quality craftsmanship, history and immaculate detailing. I believe bridals should have heirloom qualities to be passed down to generations. I wanted our local red carpet to look alluring and this is how it all started. Any woman who is confident, strong, sophisticated is an ideal ambassador for the brand, be it a celebrity or not. I have had the opportunity and truly enjoy dressing up such women.

6) You'll be celebrating two decades in the fashion business this year. How different is the industry now from when you started out? What challenges have you faced and overcome and what are some obstacles you still have to deal with in the present?

SC: It has not been an easy path for sure, but my love for fashion, beauty and art have made these 20 years and this occupation an irreplaceable part of my life.

It has been a challenging 20 years and the fashion field in Pakistan is getting increasingly competitive. There have been many ups and downs and initially, when I started my career, I had to face a great deal of hardships to get established; there was no social media to use to promote the label and increase brand awareness.

There were no fashion weeks, so there was no platform to showcase your collection. All this has changed now. The new changes bring new challenges and it is these challenges that keep you going.

This is just the beginning; the brand I have created knows no bounds and will continue to strive and reach new heights.

I believe the initial problems that I faced still exist today and the number one problem was and still is human resources, but it is my love for fashion and all things beautiful that brought me in this field and still keeps me going

As Ratan Tata said, "Ups and downs in life are very important to keep us going, because a straight line, even in an E.C.G. means we are not alive.”

Ensemble makes its way to Islamabad with regional designers

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad branch of the multi-brand outlet Ensemble opened amid great fanfare in the city. Days later, the store’s management expressed satisfaction at the enthusiasm shown by Islamabad’s residents towards the outlet.

Ensemble is one of Pakistan’s premier luxury lifestyle brands and the entrepreneurial venture of Zeba Husain and her daughter Shezray and Shehrnaz. The Islamabad branch is their joint project with Fareeha Hasan, an Islamabad-based fashion designer, and her daughter-in-law, Resham Ibrahim.

Ms Ibrahim said: “Our vision is quite simple: we want fashion to come to Islamabad, because we feel that Islamabad is slightly behind Karachi and Lahore where fashion is concerned.” She said the store mostly carried designers from Karachi, but also some from Lahore.

“We wanted to engage some of the local designers, so four of our racks carry Islamabad labels. We also carry some Indian designs – we travel to India, select them and sell them here.”

Ms Ibrahim said the turnout at the opening was great.

“There was a point when there was no standing room left and our stock was being constantly replenished. Two or three of the designers were very popular.”

With brands ranging from Elan to Umar Sayeed, Ritu Kumar to Maheen Karim, Ensemble carries everything from traditional block prints to modern gowns, casual wear to wedding outfits. The outlet promises something for everyone, albeit everyone willing to pay designer prices.

Retail paradise: Lahore's Bargain Basement Sale boasts 126 brands

The Fundraisers' ‘Bargain Basement Sale’ (BBS) is steadily becoming a sought-after-event for fashionmongers in Lahore.

The event sees ladies flock to the venue to pick up designer clothing, home accessories and the like at slashed down prices – all for a good cause.

Since its launch in 2005, the event has not only grown in size, but its content has also improved with a larger selection of merchandise to choose from.

In addition to supporting important charitable causes, BBS also cultivates the notion of Corporate Social Responsibility in local brands.

Past, present, future: Organiser Nuria Rafique shares BBS' journey

In a conversation with Images, philanthropist Nuria Rafique of The Fundraisers shares her organisation's achievements over the years and talks about the latest edition of BBS taking place on Sunday.

“The sale has definitely grown as brands have come to realize that the money is being put to good use,” says Rafique, “The brand pool has increased to 126 this year from 70 of last year. I feel it has become easier to get designers on board now.”

Having raised PKR 2.6 million last year, this year’s sale is looking at raising an even more substantial amount for the charities it is supporting.

“People have now started viewing BBS as a brand and we have been working very hard at making it into one so that people feel even more comfortable shopping and donating to our causes,” continues Rafique, “but we are just delighted to see how people from the community have come forward to not only donating their merchandise but time, effort and space to make this event a reality.”

With The Nishat donating its venue and Lotus PR taking The Fundraisers on as a pro bono client, the organisers are looking at a more streamlined exhibition this year.

“What has happened after last year's success is that this year people are coming forward themselves instead of us having to ask for donations and that for us is success in itself,” Rafique shares.

The organization will be supporting, Pink Ribbon Pakistan, Rising Stars, UCH Sharif, Bali Memorial Trust and Chitral Relief this year.

“Different charities have a difficult time raising money on their own, so this in turn helps them raise sufficient funds,” Rafique explains. Apart from the usual fashion finds, customers this year can expect a wider range of products including diamond jewelry, furniture, art, pieces by Prerto and Soma Jewelry, along with a gorgeous Bunto Kazmi outfit up for auction.

“Throughout the day, celebrities such as Meesha Shafi and Juggan Kazim will make appearances and auction off items,” Rafique added.

With plans for expansion in the pipeline, The Fundraisers are not only starting Karachi and Islamabad chapters but are also looking into an e-store. Rafique explains that the store will feature designated causes and the customer will be able to select the cause to which they wish to donate at the checkout.

Rafique elaborates, "Each cause will have subsequent charities under it and those charities will get the revenue of the sales made.”

For now, Lahore can grab a bargain at this year's edition of BBS. With an early bird admission fee of PKR1000 between 12pm-3pm and a slashed down subsequent fee of PKR500 from 3pm-6pm, the Bargain Basement Sale is set to open on Sunday, November 15, 2015 at The Nishat in Lahore.

Winter got your skin down? Eat your way back to glowing skin!

Winter is rough on the skin and when you cover it up with layers of makeup, there is a good chance you will end up looking tired, dry and dull.

A good diet is the best way to nourish your skin and to keep it soft and fresh throughout winter and all year round.

Here’s how you can get the glow:

• Antioxidants neutralise external forces (damage from the sun, pollution, wind and temperature) and internal factors (emotions and metabolism) and slow down the aging process. They help repair skin cells and strengthen blood vessels.

Eat: Carrots, pomegranates, raisins, tomatoes and have green tea regularly.

• Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids help hydrate skin and keep it supple, toned, fresh and young-looking.

Eat: Corn oil, fish oil, flax seed oil, linseed oil and sunflower oil.

• Vitamin C or ascorbic acid helps produce collagen which strengthens capillaries and increases blood supply to the skin; it also makes your skin soft and fresh.

Eat: Blackcurrants, blueberries, broccoli, guavas, kinoos, kiwis, oranges, papayas, sweet potatoes and strawberries.

• Vitamin E protects skin from sun damage which causes dryness, patchy skin, discolouration and those dreaded wrinkles.

Eat: Almonds, avocados, hazelnuts, peanut butter, pine nuts, tomatoes, wheat germ and vegetable oils.

Most importantly don’t forget to hydrate your body in winter; drink lots of liquids. Coffee, tea and fresh juices are great, but plain old water is the best.

The writer is a PhD scholar, studying Human Nutrition at the University of Reading, UK, and a lecturer of Food and Nutrition at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.