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Behind the scenes at Boucheron
Instep gets an exclusive look into the effort that Nilofer Shahid,
Frieha Altaf and Mubashir Khan made with their teams to make sure
Pakistan put it's best foot forward in Paris via the lens of Tapu
Javeri
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The show director
Marco De Rivera (right) looked at all girls, no matter how beautiful
they were with, an overtly critical eye. "We treat our girls
so well," says Tapu Javeri who was shocked at the way the models
refused to sit for a minute, standing still, straight and poker faced
while Marco criticized their 'faults'. "I suppose it's the competition.
If you aren't professional in Paris, there are hundreds who can replace
you," observes Tapu before adding an afterthought. "I hope
we never become like that." |
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Frieha and Nilofer
hand picked the girls Marco had called for the show. He didn't agree
with a lot of their opinions but then again he was dealing with two
heavyweights of Pakistani fashion. Frieha and Nilofer have a working
relationship spanning two decades. Nilofer's input was crucial and
she knows it. Ultimately, fashion shows are about designers and they
dictate who should wear their clothes and how. Nilofer is definitely
finicky about the whole look: from the accessories down to the shoes
and indeed she should be. Ultimately it is perfectionists like her
who make it to the most prestigious runways in the world. |
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Frieha Altaf poses
outside the venue. The massive door belies the compact interior of
Paris' most prestigious jewelry house. Founded in 1858, Boucheron
remain committed to reinterpreting the fine art of jewelry. Going
by the show (next page) Meeras and Boucheron really do complement
each other in the most elegant way There was a bit of a crisis before
the show when the team discovered that the concept of make up calls
for models doesn't exist in Paris. Here, when there is a show in the
evening, the make up call starts as early as the morning. That is
because one major stylist does the show with their team. In Paris,
the standard is that different people do hair and make up and there
is make up artist and a hair stylist for every girl. However, because
Tapu and Mubashir were nicer to the girls than Marco, they agreed
to come early. After all, there was only Mubashir with his assistant
Fauzia. It may not be how it's done in Paris, but charm has been known
to make the impossible happen. |
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Tapu Javeri puts
finishing touches to the music. Instead of stringing songs together
he mixed up an eclectic piece that lasted the duration of the show.
With bits of Eastern classical and the vocals of Shubha Mudgal it
ended on a high note with a Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan qawwali; they were
knit together via the strains of an opera. Here's hoping Tapu plays
it for you on his radio show! |
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It may have been an intimate gathering, but the name
of Boucheron ensured that the right kind of people turned up - men
and women who appreciate not only couture but also the thought that
goes into creating it. The most fascinating guest by far was Diane
Pernet (above) an iconic fashion journalist who used to be a designer
in New York in the 1980s. She moved to Paris and reinvented herself
as a fashion critic and documentary filmmaker. She remains true to
being a dedicated follower of fashion. Her blog ashadedviewonfashion.com
is where she leaves her trail for posterity. Log on, search Meeras
and you can find her perspective on Nilofer Shahid's sojourn to Paris.
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The auditions were held
at the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) office off the Champs Elysees.
Models waited patiently for their turn to go inside to be examined
by the team so they could pick the best ones for the job. Unlike Pakistan
where there are the same 20 names being floated around, in Paris,
you are spoilt for choice. As is obvious, the girls were beautiful,
but according to Tapu they weren't the best models in Paris. They
had never modelled couture. Looking at the talent pool there, one
realises how far Pakistan has to go. |
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