Fashion week off to an underwhelming start

 Following the success of the first Fashion Pakistan Week held in November 2009, Fashion Pakistan (a Karachi-based fashion council) is holding a five-day-long Fashion Pakistan Week-2 (FPW-2), showcasing works by over 55 designers from all over the country.

The fashion extravaganza hosted its first set of designers on Monday which included the likes of Ali Xeeshan, Ayesha Tahir Khan, Imbias (Imran and Rabia), Kash Hussain, Monia Farooqui, Dubai-based designer Rabia Z, Samar Mehdi, Sana Safinaz, Shakeel ‘Chand’ Saigol (the painter/visual artist who now and then dips his feet into fashion design), Shehla Rehman and debutant designer Zaheer Abbas.

FPW-2’s official charity is represented by the United Nations fight against Aids and guests were handed a small token gift and a booklet containing information about the deadly and contagious virus at the venue. Since the opening day of the fashion week was held on the same day as the grenade and suicide attacks on the US consulate in Peshawar, audience members were asked to observe a moment of silence for those affected by it.

The overall appearance of the venue remained the same minimal black and white, almost every aspect remaining the same except the slight change in décor in the waiting lounge.

Shakeel Saigol opened the week with his mostly monochromatic collection titled ‘East by South East’. It was the designer’s first foray into designing menswear and was an extension of a series of paintings he has been working on. The predominant feature in his collection was his use of the zebra and the zebra head as visual theme in his collections. One aspect that stood out in his menswear was that other than the traditional straight, form-fitting pants, his models wore extremely sleek dhoti shalwars as well as drop-crotch pants that pleated like a chooridar pajama towards the ankles. The models all wore Greek warrior helmets that had been designed by Yousuf Bashir Quraishi (YBQ) who gave the top portion of the helmets a striped appearance.

The debutant designer, Zaheer Abbas, was the second and only other designer whose work clearly stood out as one of the best collections that evening. He showcased a collection titled ‘Lady Un-Veil’. The designer takes his inspiration from Islamic art and geometric structures. His collection consisted of bold, single-toned colours in ink blue, deep green and grey among others. His collection which was predominantly created out of chiffon had a sleek, feminine volume in his design structure complete with a knack for pleating in his garments. He also used traditional, small and metallic pieces to accentuate the design in his creations. His was a most welcome debut.

On a collective level most of the other collections failed to create a definite impact. To have just two out of a total of 11 collections stand out is disappointing to say the least. This fact was sorely felt as the evening concluded. It was an extremely underwhelming start to a much-anticipated week

Swimsuit trends for summer 2011

Sunny and warm days announce to us that the summer is comming soon. We want to share with you the hottest swimwear trends. Let's greet the summer while being stylish and fashionable!

This year swimsuits are made according to the main fashion tendencies of the season. They include bright and lively colors, emphasis on one - shoulder, cut - away pieces, sheer fabrics and a large amount of jewerly. You are invited to choose monokinis as well as bikinis.

• One - shoulder swimsuits. This type of swimwear is especially popular this year. One - shoulder bikini or monokini will make you look originally and elegantically. You can find examples of such swimsuits in the collections of Herve Leger, Victoria's Secret, Max Azria, Gottex and Gucci.

• Cut - away pieces. Cut pieces in various shapes and size will make your swimsuit playful and sexy. This type of swimsuits is presented by Amanda Wakely, Carmen Marc, Dsquared, Herve Leger by Max Azria. Besides, a lot of famous designers such as Gottex, Victoria's Secret, Marios Schwab, Max Azria suggest that you may choose a swimsuit that combines several stylish styles. For example, this summer will also be fashionable swimwear that contain the motives of one - shoulder and cut - out pieces at the same time.

• Bright colors. Rocha Cha, Gottex, Beach Bunny and others invite to choose bright and vivid colors in bikinis or monokinis. One or more bright colors may dominate there. Red, pink, violet, yellow, blue or emerald - all these colors will look splendidly this season!

• This summer it is also important not only the stylish type of a swimsuit but also variations of wearing it. When you do not plan to swim in the sea or lake, put a sheer fabric dress or tunic on your swimsuit. This magnificient combination will emphasize your tan and make you look really fashionable! In his collection Max Azria offers light and nude tones of share fabric in clothes. Milly by Michelle Smith, converesly, invites to dress in colorful and decorated with flower prints sheer clothes.

• Famous fashion designers also suggest to wear massive jewelry together with swimsuits. The other stylish details include sunglasses, handbags, panama hats or belts. Moreover, do not be afraid to put a leather or silk jacket on your swimwear. One more important accent for your image is high - heeled sandal shoes. Thus, let your imagination flow and pick the most lovely and fashionable items for you. With them you will look modern and stylish this year!

Next to the tendencies mentioned above, there are and other fashionable trends for swimwear. They include various geometrical ornaments or leopard prints, details of jeans, fishnet, not ordinary and unexpected color combinations.

We hope that these trends will be helpful for you to choose the most siutable and fashionable swimsuit this summer!

Teen fashion trends

There are many articles dedicated to fashion trends: trends for men or women, trends for kids and even for dogs. What about teens? Try to do a web search and you will see that finding nice guidelines about teen fashion trends is not as easy as it may seem. Why is it this way? The reason for this lack of information is teen fashion being more complicated than any other. Teenagers are fighting against society; they put a lot of effort to be different, but they also invent new trends and fashion styles.

The latest trend is EMO (emotional) style. EMO style is definitely for those who adore bright colors. Green, pink, red, yellow matched with black will undoubtedly make you noticeable. If you are into this style, you must have an appropriate hairdo: Zelda hairdo for girls and jet black mop top for boys. Pencil or at least cigarette-shaped jeans with studded belt is also a must-have. Rules for top are not that strict, you may choose anything you want, just be sure it's close-fitting and bright colored. You must wear large amounts jewelry and it's even better if you pierce your face (small lip ring would do perfectly). EMO style is perfect for those who wear glasses - it's a great accent and EMOs love nerdy ones.
What fashion designers have come up to this season is gothic youth. Although this fashion has existed for a number of years and has been discussed in various ways, it is the first time it is fashionable. Dressing all-black, coloring your hair black, using only black makeup means or even whitening your face to make everything else look even blacker is a hot trend. Choose big shoes with chunky heels; go for metal details all over your clothing and accessories and you're a perfect goth. No matter if you are wearing a short or a long skirt, a close fitting top or a loose one - it's ok as long as it's black.

Top avant garde fashion designers

Has the economy killed avant-garde fashion? According to a lengthy article in WWD, avant-garde designs, save those by a select few like Gareth Pugh and Bernard Willhelm, have fallen by the wayside. Fashion designers want to sell clothes consumers want to buy, and avant-garde does not fall under that umbrella anymore. Director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Valerie Steele says, “Most people want very familiar, nonthreatening-looking clothes.” She adds, “The general mood in fashion is somewhat conservative due to the economy. It’s not a risk-taking moment for most people. Consumers have retreated and stores are worried.” Dutch designers Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren posit, “Avant-garde fashion probably exists out there, but it is somewhere on the streets … what is avant-garde today is mainstream tomorrow. It can be copied and marginalized very easily.” Luxury-industry consultant Concetta Lanciaux, based in Paris, says younger generations don’t want avant-garde. “Avant-garde is the desire to break with the establishment, and today the desire is the opposite.”

We disagree with Lanciaux. We might be seeing less avant-garde designs on the runways, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want them. We’re of the younger generation, and fashion to us has always been about developing a personal sense of style that separates one from everyone else. Indeed, shows like Pugh’s and Maison Martin Margiela’s are two we look forward to more than any others because we know we’re in for something completely unexpected.

And in a time when consumers are spending so much more selectively, won’t they seek out unique items that truly give them a reason to part with some cash? It seems you can’t walk two feet without bumping into someone who’s striving to stand out. Look at Rihanna in her diamond eye patch, and Beyoncé in her Gareth Pugh and Theirry Mugler. And everyone knows female pop stars are the heartbeat of the needs and desires of the cultural landscape of the universe.

New Look! Fashion Belts Trend 2011

Fashion accessories are important as they can change your look significantly: boost it one hundred times or absolutely ruin it. This article is dedicated to belts, those tiny items of clothing which make us look slimmer, add chic to the garment we wear, distract attention from problem areas.

Belts are worn for practical purpose or just as a decorative item. But no matter what we wear it for we should be very careful when choosing belts style. As any other clothes item belts have styles and are not versatile for the exception of classic designs. So pay lots of attention to belts you choosing

How to enhance your looks

While applying makeup, make sure it is blended properly to provide you a natural look. Before applying makeup, moisturize and cleanse your face. Apply foundation with your fingertips instead of foam applicators, which waste a lot of your makeup.

Take care that the foundation blends into your jaw line and hairline. If you have dark circles or spots on your face, use a concealer to hide them, but don’t overdo it or else they will look even more noticeable.

Before applying eye shadow, apply a neutral color on your eyelids. The eye shadow should be applied over the whole length of the eyelid, beginning from the inner corner then outward, extending towards the temples. For day-time makeup, lighter colors will do well, but darker ones are more appropriate for night. Before applying your eye shadow, apply a concealer to match your skin tone to make it last longer.

When you apply eyeliner close to the eyelash line, your lashes will look thicker. Glide the eyeliner across by pulling the eyelid, which is the easiest way to apply eyeliner. To get a deep look for your eyes, apply eyeliner as close as possible inside the lower lashes. You can also apply eyeliner only under the lower lashes or only on the upper eyelids.

If you want your lashes to look longer, mascara is important. Before applying mascara, curl your eyelashes. The first coat of mascara should be allowed to dry, even as you stroke the brush backward and forward. After the first coat dries, a second application may be made on the edges of your lashes for additional length.

Natural colors for lipstick are great. Bright red color may be in vogue, but think carefully before you use it. Apply a little powder on your lips before applying lipstick to make it last longer. You may also use a lip liner before applying lipstick.

Blushers should be used carefully. For powder blush, a brush should be used for stroking it upwards towards your hairline and on your cheek bones. For extra color, you may dab it on your nose, chin or forehead too. Here again, choose a shade which matches your skin tone.

Fall Winter Make-Up Trends

Red lips and which cosmetics shades to buy to update this classic hot look.

Read, use and be totally on trend with the seasons hottest new colour cosmetics looks. Let ’s take some inspiration from the A/W catwalks and whatever cosmetics trends are around.

The Berry Lip

Bold is back! Nudes can take a back seat, as we revisit some of the classic cosmetics looks and themes and you don ‘t get more classic with beauty cosmetics than with the red lips! What makes it different for Autumn Winter? Well, instead of wearing it on a night out, which is so the norm, try wearing it in the day, in an informal, casual way.

I ‘m not suggesting you break out the little red dress and team it with equally red lips, but instead, go more neutral with your clothes and let your cosmetics do the talking. Colours cosmetics for lips seen on the runways ranged from every shade of berry to bright glossy strawberry at Karl Lagerfield through to matte crimson lip cosmetics at Moschino. The deepest, darkest best cosmetics of blackcurrant colour were seen at Dior, D&G and Missoni.

How to do it?

Red colour cosmetics on your lips can be a bit dangerous if you do it wrong. So here are my tips for using beauty cosmetics and make up shades of red. Use lip pencils like NARS velvet matter Lip pencil in Cruella then layer it with MAC cosmetics Russian Red or Ruby Woo if you still have that gorgeous colour.

Cosmetics companies all have a fabulously lavish red; it ’s just a matter of trying on the shade that suits your skin tone. Personally I love the red -a la Kristen Stewart of Twilight fame. It ’s that vampire – blood sucking, sexy red and for THAT red, try Lime and Crime Cosmetics- I swear by their lips cosmetics range.

Red lipsticks from Cosmetics Brands

Find the right shade from my exploration of some of the best cosmetics for red lips. Cosmetics company- Barry M has Pillar Box Red, while Estee Lauder cosmetics have Stay in Place Stay Scarlett.

Maybelline brings us Colour Sensational Lipstick in Fatal Red. Lancôme cosmetics have a nice berry shade in Cherry Kiki as do Revlon cosmetics with their Colourburst lipstick in Plum.

Winter Beauty Mistakes You Should Know

1. Lingering in a Hot Shower
When it’s ten below outside, it’s tempting to turn your morning shower into a half-hour steam-a-thon. But after about 15 minutes, all that heat begins to compromise your skin’s lipid layer, a complex of fatty acids that holds in precious moisture. Turn down the heat as much as you can—or at least shorten your shower time.

2. The Wrong Cleanser
Since drying soap lather is even worse for your lipid barrier than hot water, avoid soap-based facial cleansers. “In the winter, when there isn’t as much moisture in the air, absolutely everyone needs a nonfoaming cleanser,” says Miami dermatologist Leslie Baumann. For dry skin, she recommends Pond’s Cold Cream, Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream, Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils, and Laura Mercier Cleansing Oil. For oily and acne-prone skin, she likes Cetaphil.

3. Applying Foundation to Flaky Skin
No foundation, no matter how great the formula, looks good on dry skin—in fact, it will just highlight trouble. To keep the skin smooth, exfoliate regularly with a scrub containing gentle beads, and switch to (or add) a rich night cream. Try St. Ives Fresh Skin Moisturizing Olive Scrub and Clarins HydraQuench Rich Cream. Then choose a moisturizing foundation with a dewy or satin (rather than matte) finish—avoid anything powdery. We like: Chanel Lift Lumière Fluid Makeup and Maybelline New York Dream Liquid Mousse. Another great option is tinted moisturizer, because it’s so sheer and never looks caked-on. Elizabeth Arden Sheer Lights Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer has illuminating particles that give skin an extra boost.

4. The Wrong Lip Balm
It’s no secret that your lips get more chapped in the winter, but not all balms are created equal: The most important thing is to use one that is viscous, not waxy, so the ingredients penetrate fissures. Stay away from anything with lanolin (especially if you have eczema or supersensitive skin), and, since fragrance is the number-one skin allergen, avoid anything that’s heavily scented or tastes like your favorite candy. Try Kiehl’s Lip Balm.

5. Skipping SPF
“The sun’s rays still exist in winter—your skin will still absorb them and be slowly damaged over time,” says New York City dermatologist Ariel Ostad. “Even if you’re only outside for a total of 30 minutes, five times per week—such as walking to work or taking a lunch break—over a year, that adds up to 7,800 minutes in the sun.” To make sun protection easy, choose a daytime moisturizer with broad-spectrum protection (UVA and UVB) and at least SPF 30; we like Prevage Day Anti-aging Moisturizer SPF 30 PA++.

6. Neglecting Your Hands
One more reason to wear gloves: Forgetting to do so “can lead to painfully cracked fingertips and peeling nails,” says Catharine Lisa Kauffman, a dermatologist in Washington, D.C. Other hand tips: Since antibacterial hand soaps can be drying, use a mild, creamy one instead, rinse well with lukewarm water, and reapply hand cream every time. Once a week, rub cuticle oil into and around nails to keep them hydrated. Try Softsoap Moisturizing Shea Butter Hand Soap, Neutrogena Age Shield Hand Cream SPF 30, and CND Solar Oil.

7. Frosty Lids
The weather may be frosty—but your eyelids shouldn’t be. This time of year, frosted shadow can make your skin look washed-out (or make you look like an ice princess, and not in a good way). Instead, makeup artist Dick Page suggests metallic periwinkle blue and bronze shades as surprising winter choices. Try Shiseido Makeup Luminizing Satin Eye Colors in Blue Stone and Pyrite Sun.

8. Rough Feet
Sandpaper feet don’t exactly say, “Let’s cuddle.” Not to mention that neglecting your feet all winter just makes it more difficult to whip them into shape for spring. As maintenance, get a pedicure at least every six weeks—or even better, follow this foot-softening routine once a week: Soak your feet in warm, soapy water for 15 minutes, then buff the soles with a foot file such as Tweezerman Pedro Callus Stone. To soften and help seal cracks, slick on an ointment, such as Aquaphor Healing Ointment or Lubriderm Intense Skin Repair Ointment; then wear cotton socks while you sleep.

9. Overbronzing
The Jersey Shore girls sure love to pile on the bronzer. For those of us who prefer a more natural glow, try a body lotion with a low dose of the self-tanning ingredient DHA, such as Dove Energy Glow Daily Moisturizer. If you really want to apply full-on self-tanner, check out our video on how to choose the right one for your skin tone. For your face, beware of using your summer bronzer, or the result will look as ridiculous as a bikini in a blizzard. Instead, pick one that’s no more than one shade darker than your skin tone. Blend it over the apples of the cheeks using a big round brush, then top it off with pink or rose blush.

10. Hat Head
Our mother told us to wear a hat in winter—and now style experts say the same. To prevent a hat from messing up your hair, “make sure hair is totally dry first—if it’s even slightly damp, it will dry flattened-out under the hat,” says hairstylist Garren, owner of the Garren New York salon. Prevent dents in long hair by gathering it into a loop and tucking it under the cap. To maintain volume in hair that’s shoulder-length or longer, part it on the opposite side from where you normally do, then flip it back after you take the hat off. And for short hair, as soon as you remove your hat, put a little styling cream or even just water on your fingers, and run them over and under the roots to rough them up.

11. Not Waterproofing Makeup
Waterproof formulas may seem like a summer-only thing, but when it’s particularly windy or biting outside, regular eye makeup can end up running down your cheeks if you tear up. Switch to waterproof mascara and eyeliner, such as Maybelline New York Define-a-Lash Waterproof Lengthening Mascara and Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, and use a cream shadow topped with a powder of the same color. And if you find that your foundation or blush tends to rub off on your coat or scarf, set it with a little translucent pressed powder before you head out the door. Try Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Pressed Powder in Translucent.

12. Haircolor Flub
White-blonde highlights that look perfect in the summer can highlight the wrong things in the winter—such as an ashy, pallid complexion. Same goes for a too-dark single-process. Use these tips to winterize your hair color:

1. If you’re blonde, go more golden and less beige, and ask your colorist to weave both highlights and lowlights throughout your hair for a warmer look.
2. Light brunettes should consider deepening their hair to a warm chestnut color; dark brunettes, a deep chocolate hue. For both, be sure to ask your colorist for a multidimensional look. If you want highlights, ask for face-framing balayage ones—these hand-painted pieces tend to look more natural on dark hair than do foil streaks.
3. Amp up red hair with a copper or deep auburn tone—anything but bluish or burgundy, which looks fake. Because red fades quickly, top the color with a clear glaze to seal it.
4. Don’t go more than two shades lighter or darker—dramatic shifts can look severe against pale winter skin.

13. Ho-Hum Lips
Dark lipstick isn’t mandatory the second the temperature dips. The new bright lip colors for spring happen to look great in the winter, as long as you choose a sheer formula. For medium to dark skin, try a stop-sign red like Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Volupte Stick in #3 or a coral shade such as L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolour in Volcanic. If you have fair skin, try a blue-red like Maybelline New York Moisture Extreme Lipcolor in Cherry Rain or a hot pink hue like Dior Addict High Shine Lipstick in Backstage Pink.

Hot Lip makeup trends 2011

A lipstick is the one makeup product that can always be found in a woman’s handbag. It is irreplaceable and it has the amazing effect of adding color and life to your aspect and giving a healthy-looking face. The only thing to consider is the color as this one should flatter your skin complexion. Take a look to the hottest spring/summer 2011 lip makeup trends and choose one that suits you the most.

The famous lipstick is a must-have item for every woman. It sometimes acts magically changing completely the overall look. When finding the right lip color you have to pay a lot of attention as an unflattering shade can turn everything into a disaster. Your skin complexion and the size of your lips are two main elements for you to take into consideration when purchasing a lipstick. Then, of course, there are the main makeup trends that seem to change every season.

As for the hottest spring/summer 2011 lip makeup trends, colors vary a lot from nude and soft peachy to extremely bold and vibrant shades of red, orange and pink. All lipsticks come in a myriad of different shades suitable for every skin complexion and taste. Everything stands in what color you choose. Even though for winter we usually want to add a lip balm or a glittery lip gloss, the new trends propose daring lip makeup worn with confidence.

“Nude color” seems to be the key element when it comes to spring/summer 2011 makeup trends. This is one delicate choice that is applied not only for the skin and eyes, but for your lips too. Whether you choose a soft pink or beige, nude means totally natural lips. You can wear a complete nude makeup or, on the contrary, go for a more intense and dramatic eye makeup and nude lips. When applying a nude lip makeup using a peachy or beige color, remember that your lips should be moisturized in order to look healthy. For this you need to exfoliate them and apply some lip balm.

Lighter colors work amazing on thinner lips as they make them look plumper, while darker colors flatter thicker lips, but only if the shade you choose matches your skin complexion. If you choose a natural makeup using light, soft colors you will look younger as this type of shades bring out the warmer tones of the skin. Moreover, they are an amazing choice when wanting to add freshness and health to your overall appearance.

Makeup collection by Christian Dior: Spring/Summer

The new makeup collection by Christian Dior for the spring 2011 season is inspired by the color gray and its timelessness. The collection includes eye shadow, blush, mascara, nail lacquer, eyeliner pencil, lip liner pencil, lip gloss, lipstick, and foundation.

Dior’s Spring 2011 make-up collection created by Tyen that will officially launch on January 14, 2011 has some fun new products and inventions. In a very Parisian spirit, the new spring look is called Gris Montaigne and it features the iconic greys of the House of Dior paired with fresh, feminine shades of pink. The grey shade incorporates all the tones of Avenue Montaigne N°30 and is an indispensable addition to the newest model of the Lady Dior handbag line: The Lady Dior Grey. Matching your nails identically to your handbag sounds pretty elegant, don’t you think? The star product of Dior Spring 2011 make-up line is the limited eye-shadow set Dior Cannage that opens up to reveal four flattering shades perfect for the season. Paying tribute to the iconic Dior bag, the palette features such couture-like details as the quilted leather exterior and Dior letter charms. Available in 001 Gris Petit Jour & 002 Gris Soupir, each CHF 95.

My personal favourite is the new Mascara Diorshow 360° in 090 Noir (CHF 59) that mimics a professional make-up artist’s hand. Inside there is a revolving brush that offers a dual rotation, meaning faster and slower motion depending if you want to use it on your lower or upper lashes.
You have to assemble it but that works very easy, see my demonstration below.
Thumbs up for super volume and length without being caky!

Hair and makeup tips for your life style

The best hair and makeup tips are involved with products that you used since your early age. When you start using makeup product, try to go for the natural and herbal products that you can make sure they are not damage your skin and your hair. For your hair, you are better to keep looking for the right product type both for shampoos and conditioners, otherwise you will end up with hair loss, grey hair and unhealthy hair.

For your face, with your makeup, you do need to make sure that you have removed all of your make up at the end of the day. With natural and herbal products for your skin face, you are better applied them onto your face every day. It is recommended that you should start take care of your face skin since you are younger, and go for the high quality products. Try to find the right products for you, in the similar way as for your hair, and of course for your body care.

Don’t forget that the best hair and makeup tips are coming from yourself. With your current hair style, you do need to take a good care of it, to ensure that all products you used will not damage your hair.

In the similar way, choose the non-allergy makeup products that matched with your skin type. If you already found the right one, you are better stick yourself with that brand, instead of looking for the new brand and try them on. By that way, you will risk your face with the new product which may or may not allergy to your skin. Better go with the right products for the stunning and gorgeous look at every time you use these products.