INSTEP Magzine

V9: When fashion's favourite model steps out with her own signature lawn, it creates a brand like no other. And that's why Vaneeza's V9 with its psychedelic patterns is the only lawn to go for. With sample pieces designed by the industry's favourite designers, this is the summer style we want. The name Vaneeza Ahmad is synonymous with elegance; with her brand, you've got yourself lawn with class!

Capris and crop pants: The hotter it gets, the less you want to wear. Ridding yourself of voluminous gathers is step one. Capris and crop pants are what the world is wearing and the great thing is that they translate so well to the Pakistani wardrobe. We would much rather have breezy capris, after all summer is for showing off some ankle! Once in your wardrobe, replace your starched dupatta with a chiffon scarf and you're all set to sail.

Pret a porter: Life is so fast paced these days. Who has time to sit endlessly with a designer and get into the intricacies of eighteenth century embroideries. Discussing wardrobes in detail is so out! We're all for designers selling off the rack. Try, buy and fly is how people prefer to shop! After all, this is the twenty first century.

Cotton/Linen Trousers: Summers are all about light and airy clothes. We prefer wearing cotton or linen, wide-legged trousers and capris this summer. Pair them with a pair of nice flip-flops and a cotton T-shirt dress, and you're good to go!

La Senza: Finally there's a fun, flirty lingerie option available. Its time to throw out everything old and boring, and buy the fun colourful items at La Senza. Let's celebrate our femininity with some flirty fun!

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Mausummery: While these prints were all the rage two years ago its time to move on to more fun and trendy designs. And besides, displaying lawn on walls and tables is so last century! Now we prefer designed outfits on display that will show us how the lawn will look. With the standard Vinnie has set, other lawn brands should follow suit. After all, Kate Moss isn't the only celebrity using fashion to further strengthen the brand that she is. Lawn, like pret, can be glamourous, and in this age of marketing, there is no reason why it should languish in ignominy. And not just the Mausummery girls, but all the textile giants should sit up and take note of where it's at!

Patialas: These flappy layers of cloth are just not what we want this summer. With the modernity the While the gathers may have provided insulation during the winter, its time to burn them and celebrate summer with less material! And come on, fashion is so about silhouette and nothing beats the natural contours of woman!

Couture: And that means bridals for us is so out during summer; who wants to get married in this heat wave for a start? Other than that even if people can afford customised clothing, the truly hip and happening just don't have the time for it.
Jeans: Lets face it, no matter how short your denim capris or jeans may be, once the hot weather rolls around you can't breathe in them. Its time to throw your denims to the back of your closet, till next season!

Triumph: The only choice available a few years ago, this brand is what our mothers chose in their time, but that was because there wasn't an option. Today, they too would go for La Senza !

Cricketers-turned politicians: And there's only one of those. A national hero and international icon, he's the only one talking the talk we actually want to hear. Plus, the eye candy factor never harmed anyone. Throw in a sense of integrity, the guts to speak the truth, about those in power and about his own colourful past, and you get a political leader who is… inspirational. Who would've thought that possible in this day and age!

Khans: We love the down-to-earth, no-pretenses-air about the Khans. After all, when stars like the Khans walk up to random people at restaurants, introducing themselves and asking people whether they would like to go out with a fellow Khan, well, that's just too adorable to pass by!

Musicians in India: With Atif Aslam, Strings, Call, and Roxen heading across the border, they are winning fame and accolades for the Pakistani music scene. They have done us proud by their uniquely Pakistani sound that stands out across the border. And as their star rises across the border, Pakistan seems to shine just a little bit brighter. Rock on and away guys!

Hamid Mir: Afraid of no one, someone who makes political talk shows fun, we love Hamid Mir's loaded talk shows these days. It's fabulous to see him play ball with three guests with three different perspectives on what is happening in the country right now. Capital Talk keeps us riveted on the issues that truly matter. After all, when you look at what is happening in the country at the moment, the most hardhitting political thriller from Hollywood falls short in comparison.

Jack Sparrow: We love the wicked antics and cocky behaviour of Captain Jack Sparrow. Rugged, dirty men are just so much sexier now! And Pakistan's answer to this new kind of man is Atif Aslam. Give us the the men over the boys any day!

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Generals-turned-politicians: We've seen plenty of those and no matter how great they seem at a certain point in time, history proves them all to be the same. It's an inherent tragic flaw. They command that you love them and all they do! And when that ultimatum is given, you just don't want to; especially when dictators who looked so good in suits and suitably rugged in army gear start wear humongous shalwars with even bigger pagars. Identity crisis is truly the end of style.

Bachchans: After the public temple visits and private wedding, we've had it with the Bachchans. By creating an invisible barrier between his family and fans, Amitabh Bachchan and his family (that include Amar Singh) are so out of our favours! We'll take the approachable Khans, over the unapproachable Bachchans anyday!

Actors in India: Apparently border-crossing for actors was the 'in' thing in the past, but to be honest, besides some controversy, they haven't managed to leave a Pakistani mark in India. And we're not surprised. After all, they've hardly made a mark right here at home.

Begum Nawazish Ali: A man dressed up as a woman, flirting with guests might have been an interesting watch at some point, but its just not anymore. With the focus of the nation on issues that are being discussed on television for the first time in our nation's history, it's impossible for a cross dressing flirtatious begum to get attention.

Spider-Man: Spidey is totally passé now. In the third installment he is an inherently nice guy who lets stardom go to his pretty little head and hurts his girlfriend without realising it. Puhleeze! We'd rather have a rollicking time with a rum guzzling pirate!