The face has 120 muscles. Even low grade stress can strain these muscles causing premature wrinkling. Facials can counteract this damage.

In their 20’s, most people think it can never happen to them. At 30, the truth of the situation begins to dawn. By the time they hit 40, it’s too late to reverse the damage. This may sound harsh but the truth is that skin ages and the signs are very visible. However, pollution, the sun’s rays and stress all combine to cause premature skin damage. So what’s the solution? Facials apart from a regular skin care regimen help counteract the damage.

The saas-bahu serials from India have led to a craze for saris in Pakistan and traders say the obsession has become so big that women there have named the saris after the characters of the popular serials.

Thus you have Kumkum saris, Ramola, Tulsi and Parvati saris and anyone visiting India is told to get them, says Arshad Ali Khan, a trader from Karachi.

“Till a few years back, there were not many takers for saris in Pakistan but suddenly you see women all around wearing saris, even at parties and social gatherings,” says Khan.

Truly one of the best video directors in Pakistan, Sohail Javed has come a long, long way. His videos have left a mark in the Pakistani pop music industry, and have been an inspiration for the new generation of video directors.

How many years have you been in this field?

It’s been eleven years. I started out in 1993 as a director, borrowed money from somewhere and made a programme.

Were you assisting someone?

Nope. I’ve never assisted anyone. I am not the sort who would assist someone. I know people who were assistants eleven years ago and are still assistants, or are trying to figure out what they want to do or have changed their profession. They’ve been let down and mistreated.

Under which banner are you working?

My company is called Saya films. It’s an independent film company. We ‘ll be starting a film this January.

Film as in film?

Yes. It’s basically a 100-minute English film. The script is 70% in English, 20% in Urdu and 10% in Punjabi. It’s called Baavan (52). Shahzad Nawaz is producing it, and I’m directing it. We’re making it on 35 mm.

Indian designers watch out! Pakistanis are now eying the Indian bridal wear market with their ethnic lehngas, sarees and embroidered suits.

The Pakistanis may not be as bold as our desi designers in creating the outfits but their bridal creations are very much in demand in India, says Nadia Lakdawala, a Pakistani designer.

“Our mehndi and bridal collection, trousseau, lehngas, shalwar kameez are all very traditionally made, with lot of hand embroidery, which Indian women like a lot,” says Lakdawala, who was here recently to participate in an exhibition.

Spunk and bold moves. That’s the new mantra of the Pakistani ramp. Models from Lahore and Karachi are wooing the world of international fashion.

Meet Neha Ahmed. At 23, she’s already catwalked in Paris and Dubai. Next month, she’ll do a show in London for designer Hasan Sheriyar. “We’re getting a lot more international exposure now. I’m listed with agents in Paris and Dubai and keep going for shows there,” says Ahmed. But entry into modelling wasn’t easy. “My father, an armyman, was furious. But that was then. Now, he’s cool about it.”

Sunita Marshall, having done ramp shows in London, Sri Lanka, India, Singapore and Dubai, is one of the most sought-after models on the Pakistani ramp. “Though modeling is seen as a short-term profession in Pakistan, there’s a lot happening in the industry: we’re looked upon with respect and the money is amazing,” says Marshall, set to make her acting debut in the play Sukhay Patay, which has been shot in Canada and co-stars Suresh Oberoi.

On 3rd December, Pakistan ’s premier design duo Nickie Nina and fashion design heavy weight Kamiar Rokni bring to Lahore their latest ready to wear collections along with select haute couture pieces at a brand new space, The Boulevard , Lahore . This will be Nickie Kamiar Rokni Nina’s third outlet nationwide and Kamiar Rokni’s first outlet venture since going solo.

This Saturday, November 17, Pakistani design heavy weights Nickie Nina and Kamiar Rokni participated in one of Lahore’s premier charity fashion events, ‘9 women’ , held by the Lahore Grammar School Defence Campus in honour of the Depilex Smile Again Foundation .

This was a charity fashion event with a difference. The event concept required active participation from an exclusive panel of Lahore ’s top designers who personally trained students in design, cut, silhouette, colour, manufacture and retail over a period of time. The culmination of this training for Nickie Nina was exemplified at the show in its ‘Motherhood’ segment where Nickie Nina’s student trainees showcased three of their own creations inspired by the glamorous design duo on a ramp modelled by fellow students along with one original Nickie Nina number modelled by Iffat Omar.

Nickie Nina showcased a preview of their collection for Pakistan Fashion Week at Lakme India Fashion Week in Bombay, to much acclaim. The show was held on the auspicious occasion of the religious festival of Eid on the 14 th of October. Nickie Nina’s designs were presented to a 700 strong audience including the likes of Fern Mallis , VP IMG and an institution at New York Fashion Week . Anil Chopra , VP Lakme Lever leant his support to the Pakistan Fashion Week preview show along with journalists from Vogue India and Elle India .

The name “Maheen” is synonymous with impeccable cut, elegant design and a fresh look. In other words, the designs of Maheen Khan speak for themselves and so successfully no last name is required.

The friendly silver haired designer lights up at the thought of her work and enjoys quiet moments spent sitting with her karighars and watching a garment she designed come to life. Her clothes are renowned for their quality and finish. As the styles are chic and timeless, some of her clients are planning to open a Maheen seconds store. In the meanwhile, to the thrill of clients and fans, Maheen herself has reopened her Clifton flagship store after eight long years. In celebration of the exciting moment in her career, the designer talks with Fashion Collection about her love of her work and her love of life.

As the heads of India and Pakistan prepare for a meeting in New York that is expected to boost peace talks, a wedding show back home is propelling people-to-people contact — often cited by analysts as the bulwark of any permanent peace deal.

In its sixth year, Bridal Asia is more an India-Pakistan bonhomie forum than deal-snapping trade fair.

“We believe in people and spreading love between them,” smiled Divya Gurwara, who has got a 40-member delegation from across the border at her three-day exhibition at the Indian capital’s Taj Palace Hotel.

“The commerce happens,” Gurwara told IANS.