In a world increasingly drawn to subtle luxury and minimalism, the Color Blocking Trend stands firm, celebrating the brilliance of bold colors that defy the monotonous monochromes we once adored.
While you might assume this trend fits only in Western fashion, let’s debunk that myth. In South Asia, our affinity for rich, vibrant shades, deeply rooted in our heritage, is undeniable. Colors in our region tell stories, convey identities, and preserve centuries-old customs. The Color Blocking Trend seamlessly marries this cultural penchant for striking hues with contemporary fashion, crafting an intriguing juxtaposition of tradition and innovation.
Leading the charge are none other than the talented trio of Alia Bhatt, Saba Qamar, and Hania Amir as seen above. These starlets have fearlessly hopped on the bandwagon of this vibrant trend, showcasing their flair for fashion and trendsetting.
Even in western looks, Victroria Beckhem and our very own Hania Amir have pulled this trend off very well.
Here are some colour combinations to help you take inspo and create your own trendy outfits and looks.
Tayyab, 11 years old during May 2020 peak COVID decided he wants to do something to help others in this difficult time. After lots of thinking he came up with a unique idea. He saw that many mothers were struggling to make their kids wash their hands during the peak of COVID. He came up with the idea of introducing homemade organic soaps with toys inside them, the more you wash your hands the faster the toy comes out. After lots of experimenting and trials with the help of his mother, he was able to make a perfect soap which he gave to his 6-year-old sister. He noticed that she started washing her hands day and night so the toy comes out faster.
This is how he launched his business on Instagram called Soaptastic. Almost 100 percent of his profit goes to charity. He has been awarded as the youngest entrepreneur in Pakistan. Tayyab appeared in various newspapers and TV channels for interviews and now has 26.3K followers on Instagram. As soon as he is done with school and studies he focuses on his work. When he came up with this idea there was no one making soaps with toys in Pakistan, not even in any other country we know of. He was 11 and he got an offer from Dubai and UK to sell his idea and company, but he didn’t do it because his purpose was to help others and not make a profit.
By the grace of Allah and his hard work, he has built a mosque just from his personal profit. He has built three shops for three widows so they can stand on their own feet, and he wants to keep going and help many more. It’s been more than three years and a little business he started with a good intention has come a long way.
Here are a few links showing Tayyab’s work on different channels, news, and a tweet by British commissioner Christian Turner.
Tayyab has a strong belief that the more he helps others the more he will get. From selling one soap a day to up to 100 soaps per day, his soaps now have so much demand that it is hard to meet the little home-based business he started. He made a major donation to families who suffered in a 2020 plane crash.
Samia, Tayyab’s mother said: “It was such an exciting moment when a one soap order came. Today he gets so many orders that he can’t handle them because of his studies. A little home-based business we thought would keep him busy for a good cause and a totally new idea for one month is on its way to the fourth year with zero help.”
Hooded dresses have made a stunning comeback in the fashion world, capturing the interest of both critics and fans with their charming and enigmatic appeal. A number of well-dressed celebrities have fully embraced this trend, bringing it back into the spotlight. Whether it’s worn to a high-profile runway show or a red carpet event with a star-studded guest list, the hooded dress has returned as a versatile and alluring fashion statement.
Hooded dresses are not new to the fashion world. With centuries-old roots, the silhouette has been used throughout history. Hooded dresses have always drawn attention, from their opulent appeal during the Renaissance to their cultural and religious usefulness in the Middle East.
In Western culture, the dress is most frequently associated with the 1980s, when Grace Jones made headlines for donning a purple hooded Alaïa dress in the 1985 movie ”A View To Kill”. She later wore the same ensemble to the Alaïa Spring/Summer 1986 Haute Couture show. However, Yves Saint Laurent, who debuted its signature hooded “capuche” pieces in the middle of the 1980s, was among the fashion houses that supported the trend and contributed to the popularity of hooded dresses throughout the decade.
Hooded dresses have regained popularity off the red carpet and on the runways. Hussain Rehar, a Pakistani fashion designer, ran with his own interpretation of hooded dresses for the new collection, and we absolutely adore it.
Hollywood’s newest go-to outfit for the red carpet is the hooded gown. Stars like Margot Robbie, Bella Hadid, and Jenna Ortega have been spotted making a fashion statement in hooded gowns. The eye-catching evening look was first popularized in the 1980s by late fashion icons like Yves Saint Laurent and Azzedine Alaïa, but it still looks modern today.
Malala, the youngest recipient of the Nobel Prize, made her Oscars debut in 2023 wearing a Ralph Lauren sequined hooded gown. She stunned everyone in yet another custom-made Jil Sander gown for the Vanity Fair Oscars party.
Not once, but twice, Anne Hathaway nailed the hooded gown look. Anne looked stunning in a Ralph Lauren dress at the 2015 Met Gala. Recently, she looked stunning in a Versace hooded gown at the “Bulgari Mediterranea High Jewellery” event in Venice.
At the 2018 Met Gala, Priyanka Chopra, the undisputed queen of fashion, stood out in a custom velvet Ralph Lauren gown with a bejewelled hood.
Aishwarya Rai made an appearance at the premiere of “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival wearing a hooded gown designed by Sophie Couture. She gave off a very unimpressed look, but the look still went viral online.
All of our favorite celebrities are beautifully embracing this trend and making fashion statements, which proves that it is here to stay. It expertly fuses traditional themes with modern sensibilities, allowing for risk-taking and iconic style statements.
Furthermore, hooded clothing gives people a modest way to express their individual style. The adaptability and aesthetic appeal of hooded clothing are valued by many people, regardless of their background. While embracing fashionable looks, they can be worn in a way that respects individual modesty preferences.
Other stars like Natalia Bryant, Laura Harrier, Sabrina Carpenter, Amber Valletta, Simone Ashley, Doja Cat, and Ashley Park also looked amazing in the hooded gowns.
This year, fruits and vegetables are the biggest sources of summer beauty inspiration, and the most recent manicure craze is no exception.
Blueberry milk nails—a powdery blue manicure inspired by yet another dairy-based beverage. On TikTok, this manicure fad has taken off, and everyone is crazy about it. The milky effect of milky nails is emulated in this lovely blue manicure by layering a creamy, translucent shade of blue over a base of white or pearlescent nail polish.
Blueberry milk nails has a creamier tone than a basic pastel blue. It’s a stylish transparent color that is bright but not outlandish. The hue is striking but understated and flattering on all skin tones. According to celebrity nail artist Sonya Meesh, the fruit milk colors trend was started by South Korean nail artists because strawberry milk, banana milk, and blueberry milk are genuinely quite popular drinks there.
Zendaya was spotted at the fashion show wearing a blueberry milk manicure, and other celebrities, like Sofia Richie Grainge, Dua Lipa, and Sabrina Carpenter, appear to be fans of Blueberry Milk Nails.
If you follow few easy steps, you can easily recreate the manicure at home without having to visit a salon. Start with cleaning your nails, then shape them how you like. Choose your color next. You can use a milky white base coat and then a translucent blue topcoat, or you can go more daring and use a creamy light blue finish. To guarantee that your manicure lasts, seal everything with a top coat.
So what are you waiting for? Get your summer nails now and make a fashion statement this season.
Selecting clothing for your wedding festivities is challenging, and selecting jewellery to accessorise your look is even more challenging! The matha pattis and maang tikkas are vital components of the bridal ensemble. The addition of maang tikka, matha patti, or jhoomar to your bridal ensemble will give it a touch of royal elegance and glitz. Regardless of the style, whether dainty or big and bold, bridal maang tikka designs never fail to leave us speechless. Here are some of the different styles of maang tikkas we’ve seen on real Pakistani brides.
Jhoomar/ Passa:
Photo: Yratta Media/ Instagram Styling: Saaish
Muslim or Sikh brides typically wear jhoomar, also known as a Passa. Most brides pair jhoomar with maang tikka to give their bridal look a more royal and traditional appearance. Even Hindu brides of today adore donning jhoomars on their special day. Although it looks incredibly traditional and modern, it gives the appearance a hint of royalty.
Photo: Sara Idress/ Instagram
Minimal Maang Tikka:
Photo: Yarrow Wedding/ Instagram
If you’re a minimalist bride, you’ll love minimal maang tikka. You won’t feel them too heavy on your head because they are lightweight. For the bride who prefers to keep things simple, these tiny maang tikkas with just a hint of tradition are perfect.
Photo: Yarrow Wedding/ Instagram
Matha Patti:
Photo: Sara Idress/ Instagram
Despite the fact that it was once a traditional piece of jewellery, it now serves more as a fashion statement. The term “matha patti,” which is derived from the words “Matha,” which means “forehead,” and “Patti,” which means a strap or band, refers to the customary head jewellery that looks incredibly exquisite. Their matha patti, which features exquisite work, is a sight for sore eyes and a favourite among brides.
Photo: Images by Natasha/ Instagram
Sheeshphool Tikka:
Photo: Muaz Caught This/ Instagram
This wedding season, sheeshphool tikka is quickly becoming every bride’s favourite because it adds a great twist to otherwise traditional mang tikka designs. Modern brides would adore wearing this to their wedding festivities. It has a very sleek, beautiful appearance.
Photo: Sara Idress/ Instagram
The Chand Tikka:
Photo: Omgmoods/ Instagram
Chand tikka has long been a favourite piece of jewellery and is a classic. This style is the most typical and was worn by many brides, making it one of the most popular options. The beauty of this design is in its simplicity, and the design mostly consists of pearl and polki accents, which add a lot of elegance to your bridal look.
Photo: Yarrow Wedding/ Instagram
Diamond Maang Tikka:
Photo: Omgmoods/ Instagram
Diamonds are bride’s best friend, and the diamond maang tikka looks absolutely incredible, making the bride look stunning! These look incredibly elegant and give your outfit more oomph.
Photo: Yarrow Wedding/ Instagram
Floral Maang Tikka:
Photo: Sara Idress/ Instagram
For pre-wedding ceremonies like dholak, mayoun, and mehndi, floral maang tikkas are a perfect option. These maang tikkas are lovely and appealing.
Photo: Sara Idress/ Instagram
Gold Maang Tikka:
Photo: Yarrow Wedding/ Instagram
Nothing beats a pure gold maang tikka; these maang tikks look timeless, give you a super classic look, and never go out of style.
Body diversity is a major problem in the fashion business, especially when it comes to providing options for plus-sized people or having plus-size models walk the runways. One of its shortcomings is the lack of representation for various body types. The fashion industry is notorious for not being representative or inclusive of those who aren’t skinny or who do not fit the mainstream beauty standard. The Pakistani fashion industry is progressively taking baby steps to embrace a more inclusive and diversified definition of beauty and style. There has recently been a shift in the clothing sector, with a few major labels running advertising using plus-size models. But most fashion designers are still apprehensive about including plus-size models in their advertising campaigns.
Photo: Faiza Saleem/ Lulusar / Facebook
Firstly, it’s a common misunderstanding that plus-sized modelling promotes obesity. Plus-sized models are those who portray an average body type in society. They models show that modelling is more than just good looks; it’s also about your ability to project confidence and how well you can present yourself.
The word “plus-size” is used to describe models larger than size 12. However, people think that those who are larger than size 12 aren’t normal-sized; rather, they are extra-large. It’s interesting to note that the CDC reports that adult women aged 20 and above have average height, weight, and waist measurements that fall between a size 18 and 20.
Photo: Khaadi / Facebook
Curvy women cannot meet the ideal beauty standards set by the industry. These false notions of beauty standards send the impression that women must look a specific way to be considered beautiful or even appealing, rather than sending an important message about body positivity. If being skinny is normal, then being curvy must also be. The sizing is another major problem; although certain companies claim to be size inclusive, the largest sizes they currently offer are size 12.
Curvy women have few clothing choices, and size is highly limited. In addition, the sizes are shrinking day by day. They lack styling expertise because there aren’t enough plus size models for them to get fashion ideas from. By extending sizing, everyone—regardless of size—could take advantage of well-made designer items that boost their self-confidence.
Yes, designers like as Kamiar Rokni, Hussain Rehar, and Zainab Salman have recently included one plus size model in their campaigns. Plus size models are also included in the campaigns of other fashion labels such as Khaadi, Gul Ahmed, and Lulusar. It’s unfortunate that these efforts—while admirable—are insufficient. No one should be given a small selection of clothing alternatives because there aren’t enough sizes to fit them. The fashion business is a significant contributor to representation in our media, which is essential. People begin to doubt their value in society when they aren’t treated equally or fairly. People may feel that they don’t belong among their peers because of this feeling of outcasting.
Photo: Sabah Malik Khan/ Kamiar Rokni/ Instagram
The other side of the story is that not only the designers, but also the audience, is not ready for the plus-size models. They don’t acknowledge them.Plus size models are still chastised for appearing on high fashion runways. To disseminate the idea that all bodies are attractive and that we should welcome them all, there is still more work to be done.
The fashion industry should take more initiatives to promote body positivity, and plus size models should be used in every campaign just like any other female of a regular size. This would make the ad stand out and shatter stereotypes.
Photo: Ayesha Fazli/ Hussain Rehar Instagram
The key is repetition, and designers should be more willing to include plus-size girls in their campaigns. When plus-size models start to appear in every advertising, I think people will start to accept the idea that all women are attractive regardless of their weight, skin tone, or height. We may not need terminology like plus-size or size-inclusive in a few years when the industry has advanced even farther. Change is coming because we are evolving as a community. Therefore, keep on because both fashion and size are growing in our society.
Here are a few plus-sized models that we’ve seen walking on international runways. We hope to see more plus-sized women in Pakistani fashion shows.
Courtesy: And Just Like That/ streaming on Jio Cinema
Viewers adore Sex and the City not only for the storyline but also for the chic attire, shoes, and accessories worn by the show’s gorgeous and fashionable women. As the new season of the Sex and the City reboot series ”And Just Like That” begins, it can only mean one thing: new fashion looks! It was a moment to notice when Lisa Todd Wexley, played by actress Nicole Ari Parker, was seen carrying this emerald green leather purse by Pakistani brand “Warp” in the first episode of season 2 of AJLT. Lisa carries an emerald green bag by WARP over her shoulder in Episode 1, “Met Cute”. The bag is a Hexella Accordian Emerald purse with structured gusseted pleats made of the brand’s trademark matte goat skin leather. The fact that this bag is spacious enough to accommodate a laptop gives it important functionality points in addition to its sleek, modern style. The bag is stylish yet practical to tote around all day.
Courtesy: And Just Like That/ streaming on Jio Cinema
Hexella is a combination of the terms Hex and Bella, which signify “six-sided beauty.” Hexella bag is created with technical accuracy, traditional craftsmanship, and a meticulous design and development process. The numerous layered construction that gives it its three-dimensional structural form took 20 hours to create, finishing with a final layer of delicate goat skin leather. Warp bags are handcrafted in Pakistan combining traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge leather stitching techniques to create basic and abstract bags that are as fashionable as they are practical. Price of this bag is Rs.36,000.00 PKR.
Warp is defined as ”a twist or distortion in the shape or form of anything”. Warp is a modern fashion brand that aims to twist the fabric of fashion by producing high-quality, abstract forms and minimalist everyday fashion accessories. It combines cutting-edge design with traditional craftsmanship to create smart, wearable accessories for ladies. Warp’s aim includes enhancing and promoting high-end leather accessory production in Pakistan. The bags are created in Lahore, Pakistan’s cultural centre, using only the highest quality materials. I’d love to see Warp receive a well-deserved spotlight on the most fashionable show of the year. Get yours before they sell out!
As the month of August approaches, the air is filled with the spirit of independence, joyous festivities, and refreshing monsoon showers. This year, there’s another reason to celebrate – the much-awaited Azadi Sale 2023 by Ideas. Embrace the essence of freedom and upgrade your wardrobe with the trendiest styles, as Ideas brings you an exclusive online shopping extravaganza like never before!
Freedom to Shop Online
In the digital age, where convenience and safety go hand in hand, Ideas has taken a bold step to make its Azadi Sale 2023 exclusively available online for its loyal customers. This decision ensures that shoppers from all across the country can access the jaw-dropping discounts and incredible offers from the comfort of their homes and indulge in retail therapy with ease.
Unbeatable Discounts on Over 3000 Products
Get ready to be amazed as Ideas presents a colossal assortment of over 3000 products, all at unbeatable prices. The centerpiece of this grand azadi sale is the FLAT 30% and 40% OFF on all categories, making it the perfect opportunity to revamp your entire wardrobe without breaking the bank.
From GulAhmed unstitched fabric to the latest eastern and western ready-to-wear styles for both men and women, not to mention the charming kids’ wear, elegant accessories, and luxurious bed and bath linen – there’s something for everyone in this sale!
Flat Shipping Rate and Worry-Free Exchange Policy
To make your shopping experience even more delightful, Ideas offers a flat shipping rate of just PKR 99, no matter where you are in the country. So, you can shop to your heart’s content without worrying about hefty shipping costs. Additionally, Ideas takes pride in its worry-free exchange policy, ensuring that if you encounter any issues with your purchase, you can easily exchange it for something that perfectly suits your style.
As the spirit of independence and freedom engulfs the nation, Ideas Azadi Sale 2023 presents a golden opportunity for shoppers to celebrate both their individuality and their cultural heritage. With exclusive online access, unbeatable discounts on over 3000 products, and a diverse range of styles for all ages, this sale promises to elevate your fashion game. Embrace the festive spirit of August, the month of independence, festivities, and monsoon, and give your wardrobe the upgrade it deserves.
Make the most of this incredible Azadi Sale by Ideas and let your style reflect your truest self. Remember, the freedom to shop is the freedom to express yourself, so don’t miss out on this grand celebration of fashion and flair!
Skirts are regarded as women’s fashion items, whether they are long, short, straight, pleated, or flared. Skirts have been around since prehistoric times. In all ancient cultures, they served as the norm for both men’s and women’s attire. The cassock, kilt, and lungi/dhoti that men have worn in the past are not considered skirts in the traditional sense; rather, they are worn as cultural and vocational garments. We adore our celebrity men wearing skirts, despite the fact that it’s a risky fashion move! What’s not to love about guys rocking skirts? It takes a lot of confidence to pull off such a daring look.
In 2023, men wearing skirts will be the biggest fashion trend. It has always been exciting to see men’s fashion, and this year has shown that everything is possible. Gender-neutral trends have been observed in recent fashion shows. In 1985, Jean Paul Gaultier was recognised as the first fashion designer to present skirts for men on the runways. Men’s skirts have been featured on numerous fashion shows in recent seasons, including those for Thom Browne, Off-White, LV, and many others.
Remember how Brad Pitt made news when he showed up on the red carpet for the Berlin premiere of Bullet Train wearing a brown skirt with a raw hem. This trend is sweeping the fashion industry despite the audience’s mixed reactions to it; some seem to love it completely while others seem to hate it completely.
The ‘Emily in Paris’ star Lucien Laviscount arrived at the Louis Vuitton show wearing a sky-blue short-sleeved sweater paired with a blue pleated skirt with an asymmetric hem worn over zip-fronted wide-leg trousers.
There have been several occasions where male celebrities have dared to wear skirts and fully own the look. Here are a few of our favourite male celebrities sporting skirts with full confidence.
“Pasoori” singer Ali Sethi made a fashion statement in a quirky red skirt for his TIME100 Next Gala appearance.
A$AP Rocky At Milan Fashion Week 2023
Vin Diesel wore a leather skirt to the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2003.
Knaye West made headlines when he walked out on stage wearing a leather skirt during a Watch the Throne performance.
At the Dior Homme Fall 2023 Menswear Show, J-Hope and Robert Pattinson both wore skirts.
Oscar Isaac looks incredible in a grey pleated Thom Browne skirt at the London premiere of ‘Moon Knight’ in 2022.
Who can forget Ranveer Singh when it comes to men making daring fashion choices?
For a magazine cover shoot, Harry Styles also wore a skirt.
In 2021, Pete Davidson wore a skirt to the Met Gala.
Hussain Rehar is a well-known fashion designer who also has a distinctive sense of style. He was also seen wearing a skirt with a pink sweater, and we adore it!
By Peter M. Toscano, Ed.D Superintendent, Lahore American School – Lahore, Pakistan
As the great American educator John Dewey said, “…education is not preparation for life but life itself.” These words resonate today when some schools may lose sight of their most essential function: guiding young children to live the best lives they can by reaching their highest potentials. This is especially true during the early years of a child’s life as this is a crucial time for development and growth. During this period children absorb a large amount of information and begin to develop lifelong skills. In order to start children on a path of success during their early years, experts agree that the most critical elements are creating meaningful experiences that connect concepts and skills, guided by the mindful observations of committed, caring educators.
Dewey viewed education through a similar lens as Vygotsky, Piaget and Montessori who all believed that children learn by doing, and envisioned the teacher’s role as one of a guide. To him and many of his contemporaries learning was contextual and hands-on. Play-based discovery was crucial in opening a child’s world and developing a connection to the tasks that require mastery for living in an advanced society.
He also felt that the factory style, cookie-cutter, method of education, where rote memorization and traditional testing dominate and student learning is top-down and monolithic, needed to change. Through the work of Dewey, the idea of “democratizing” education and focusing on individual needs began to take hold in the 1920s. This was the birth of student-centered education in the U.S. and it eventually led to the concept of emergent curriculum, which was rooted in the work of him and his famous contemporaries, during which teachers develop curricula dynamically, based on observing the actions of children and then introduce topics and lessons based on the needs and interests of the children.
Later the Reggio Approach for early years’ learning sprang up after the second World War in the small town of Reggio Emilia in Northern Italy. Its use of “Progettazione,” loosely defined as “planning,” espoused the same basic tenets of emergent curriculum, but added the component of documentation, in which teachers observe and document students’ activities while engaged in exploring. This is later used to determine learning activities, mirroring Dewey’s initial conception.
Most importantly, this ensured that educators’ planning and strategizing occurred almost simultaneously, helping to create a dynamic, student-centered learning environment that was constantly refreshed and driven by the needs and interests of each and all students. With the addition of a strong emphasis on the arts, both performing and visual, students were able to extend their learning and express themselves in various ways, helping to develop a more holistic interpretation of learning.
Subsequently, in order to initiate the vital exploratory component, models for vibrant, “open” learning zones that would give children exposure to various areas of interest started to be tested and would eventually become integrated in many schools worldwide. (The Reggio Approach describes the learning environment as the “third teacher.”) These became a significant piece in enhancing the process of exploring in the early development puzzle.
To my mind the biggest takeaway from these theories of early learning is that students should be active participants in their learning, have numerous activities and chances to explore a rich environment, and be encouraged to develop projects based on personal interests. Teachers should facilitate and guide, documenting students’ interactions, passions, and growth, while embracing their roles as “experts” in helping students make sense of their worlds by stressing the joy of learning and inculcating a strong moral compass to help build positive social/emotional interactions.
These elements merged with a strategic, interlocking structure can help create a vibrant, yet structured environment, that captures the best of emergent curriculum and Reggio-style note-taking by uniting them into a coherent, systematic learning thread. This approach is now being instituted at Lahore American School with the introduction of our Emergent/Experiential Early Years’ Learning Center, the first of its kind in Lahore.
Starting children on the path of bottom up, student centered learning means that we have the ability to instill a style of learning from an early age that is seeded in the theories of some of the greatest educational minds of the 20th century. Adopting this ideology in a student’s early years can develop a way of thinking that offers palpable, life changing benefits to students during their formative, developmental years, while laying the groundwork for deeper learning and creative innovation that will impact students not only through elementary school, but for the rest of their lives.
