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.

One of Lahore ’s premier custom design furniture houses, Rendez-vous d’Interieur , will be showcasing the best of their 2007 collections at an exclusive charity exhibition this November in Lahore at their flagship defence store. All proceeds from the exhibition will be donated towards cancer research and development.

The furniture design label represents quintessential lavish residential and commercial designing for not only the discerning Pakistani but European, American, Canadian, Middle Eastern and Asian design connoisseurs. The young brand has already accumulated a portfolio showcasing a diverse series of residential and commercial projects in Pakistan and abroad, including the interior décor for The Palm Beach Resort in Dubai , luxury private apartments in Toronto , a residential estate in Oman and home décor in London and Philidelphia.

Charged with verve and ambition, Quratulain Khan, better known as Annie, has all the ingredients needed to take her to high places. Soft spoken and lady like she commands respect as a producer at HUM TV, and glamorous and confident, she is a woman to be noticed on the catwalk or on the mini-screen when comparing a show. Fashion Collection speaks to her about her past achievements and future plans.

Did you start your career with modeling or production or as a host of TV shows?

I started with modeling but prior to that I had been approached by Telebiz for their BBC programme ‘Face to Face’. I didn’t get the programme but I ended up doing lot of different news anchor jobs for them, such as for Business Round-up, Business-Links and Business Breakfast, as well as helping out with overall production and generally learning the ropes. So it was a simultaneous entry into two fields, more-or-less.

Last year, the Pakistan pavilion won the Best Cultural Activities award during DSF. For the 10th anniversary of the DSF this year, the organisers have lined up a spectacular calendar of events that presents every aspect of the country’s cultural heritage. A number of star-studded cultural and musical shows have been scheduled throughout the DSF and will be presented at the Global Village and at other festival venues. Well-known Pakistani actor and comedian, Umer Sharif and popular actress Noor will inaugurate the cultural activities at the Pakistan pavilion with a live performance on Thursday (January 20) at 8.30pm. The show, free for all visitors, is organised by the Consulate General of Pakistan in association with Spotlight FZ LLC.

As he struts down the ramp, he sports an ‘I-am-least-bothered’ attitude on the catwalk. He stands over six feet tall and whether he is decked up in an intricately designed sherwani or casual beach outfit, Emmad appears to be at ease in portraying any kind of image. In a span of just two years he has become hot property in the local fashion scene and has been nominated in the category of best male model for the upcoming style awards taking place in Dubai.

The show got bigger this year. Not only did the organizers fly out to Dubai, giving the local entertainment industry much-needed international exposure, they also collaborated with a television network, ensuring a much wider audience than our local channels could ever pull off.

Indian talent, comprising professional dancers, stage designers and technical assistants, was flown in to fill the gaps, but this year’s Lux Style Awards could easily have been better executed than last year’s programme had the picture not been overexposed to the glitter and gaudiness of Bollywood. The India-based Sony TV channel, as director and producer of the show, was perhaps given too much freedom to project it as it wanted, right from the poster at the front desk down to the silver and gold tinsel on stage.

Lux Style Awards 2004 : Sonu and Priyanka steal the thunder at Lollywood’s Oscars!

It was a night to remember for fans of icons from Bollywood and Lollywood.

Playing host to them and the stars were the organizers of the Lux Style Awards 2004 at Dubai’s lavishly extravagant Novotel Hotel, and Bollywood stars, including Sonu Nigam and Priyanka Chopra, did not disappoint.

Playback singer-cum actor Sonu Nigam carried the night so well that his fans were not fully satiated.

Sighs of, “I wish he had stayed on longer,” could be heard from many in the audience.

Dubai is a happening city from always with many international music stars performing there
frequently.This time, our very own Pakistani bands [eP], Call, Jal (Gauhar) and Nabeel /Kamran of AaroH will be performing in Dubai on the 17th of June, 2004
at Wonderland theme park.

“The two governments are doing their bit and so are the cricketers. Now, its time for individuals to promote friendship between India and Pakistan ,” says Humayun Saeed,a Pakistani super star.

Saeed won the Pakistani National Award for his first film Inteha and is one of the highest paid male actors in Pakistan, he was there to look for actors for his first Indo-Pak television production “Ana”.

“I was in Mumbai for some work ,and i realised that Indian actors are interested in working with their Pakistani counterparts,” he says.