By the time this appears in print, the mother of all battles, the semi-final at Mohali

between Pakistan and India would have been decided on March 30 and the World Cup 2011 winner would have been crowned at Mumbai on April 2. As I write, Lounge’s Tuesday press deadline is on me, but I

hope that our boys would have provided us the greatest cheer in many a year.

Be that as it may, these past few days everyone, from senior politicians on TV shows to my local fruit vendor, has tried to engage me in cricket. It really makes me wonder how much potential difference can be made in this country if the same level of across the board national interest and endeavour was devoted towards the more pressing issues haunting us – such as economy, education, health, transport, agriculture, in short every thing under the sun in which we so thoroughly lack.

I for one was super busy with the Fashion Week that also happened to fall on the same dates as the two semi-finals. A blessing indeed for it kept my mind clear of the inevitable pre-match anxiety. Staying on the note of fashion, has anyone realised that of all 14 teams taking part, ours was the worst dressed team of the World Cup? To the extent that even the Bangladesh boys had a more cohesive colour scheme and an effective design theory to their gear.

I wondered why we chose the shade of ‘bananas gone bad’, with our players looking

The Right Kind of Green

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The idea is to put the essential two ingredients together; technical expertise/production capabilities along with an icon with mass pull and brand power

like mould in them? Why have we used the shiny polyester mixed fabric that in conditions so humid in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh made our boys sweat enough to need a water bucket boy next to them even when batting. I bet Kamran Akmal was spilling so many catches only because he just couldn’t stand the stench of his own armpits every time he leapt for a catch.

If a Sri Lankan player could be blonde with that complexion and a blue uniform and pull it off, then why do our players keep wearing the wrong shade of sun block and apply it like African Zulu

warriors?My considered opinion is that, win

or lose, the Pakistani team desperately needs a makeover. After all, these boys are symbols of our national image. If most of them cannot speak well, it is all the more reason that they look dashing. In the fashion world, bad speech is very often compensated for with a sense of style and sleek appearance. As a designer I feel that it is our job to make our boys look and feel like a ‘million bucks’ and to have the right kind of aura.

The other day my wife bought one of the Pakistan team shirts, with the intent

to wear it on the match day. Inspecting the shirt brought tears to my eyes. It epitomised everything that is wrong with the way we treat our heroes – for petty financial gains, I suppose.

This at the expense of a game that brings so much joy and such bonding and unity to this otherwise diverse country.

In order to rectify the situation, instead of merely talking about it, this is my proclamation to the players and the PCB: “I, Ammar Belal, will design and stylise our beloved team, free of cost for the sake of our national pride whenever given the opportunity to do so.”

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Perfection personified By Sahar Iqbal

The instrument is yet to be invented that can measure a person’s passion for a specific craft or profession or indeed for any creative activity. But his excellence in his chosen vocation and his popularity with the discerning public, speaks for itself. Waheed Chaudhry of Dandy

Designs is one of those zealous and ardent personalities who have proved over time that there is no short cut to success, and attained acclaim through hard work and consistently a high standard of quality and craftsmanship. Recently, Lounge had tête-à-tête with him about his work and his concept of fashion and style.

How did you land in this field?This clothing business was running in my family, so naturally it was in my blood too. I studied from Government.College, Lahore and was always passionate about clothing as my occupation. My family never forced me to adopt this field. I made my own trail.

How are your designs different from other clothing lines?My designs are different in the sense that we take particular care of our customer’s comfort. We take their measurement and cut them absolutely according to the given size

and design. It’s all made-to-measure. Our dresses are not tagged with the large, medium or small sizes. Now so many people have jumped into this field with the opening of new

institutions and that has actually made people aware of this made-to-

measure clothing.

What is the inspiration behind the clothes that you design?I always converse with the customer about the nature of the function that they are attending, whether it is a day affair or an evening gathering. Then I also decide about the colour scheme that would go the best with the time of the event. In short, I basically deal with my costumer’s comfort level.

What is the latest trend that you are following these days?This year the trousers with the plain front are also narrower on the thigh

Interview

I have always done personalised or individual-oriented work; there is no particular style that I follow or like. As for my designs, I always prefer the personality of my customer

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and calf that gives a smart and sharp look. The suits are designed with a cut across the waist and are narrower than the regular fit.

Which design from your collection is your favourite?I have always done personalized or individual-oriented work, there is no particular style that I follow or like. As for my design I always prefer the personality of my customer and I don’t deal

with those trends that most of the designers are following these days by projecting their work through catwalks and ramps. I work at my clients’ individual level. That is my greatest strength.

Which colour schemes are in fashion this year?If you are going for daywear clothing then you should follow the colour scheme of beige, off-white and light brown, and for the

evenings black is never out of demand.

Why haven’t you started with a women clothes line?(With a laugh) It’s very difficult to satisfy ladies’ whims, and that is why I have not ventured in this field so far.

Any message to our readers?This profession needs creative flair and a passion for excellence. It demands a lot of patience and hard work. It is like any other field such as medicine or engineering, so bring as much tolerance and labour to it as you can. There is no short cut to success.

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Following the success and wide critical acclaim of their two previous weeks of fashion in Lahore and Karachi in 2010, the Pakistan Fashion Design

Council and Sunsilk were back in the cultural capital of Pakistan with their third PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week presenting luxury/prêt a porter fashion for the season. PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week March/April 2011 showcased 25 designers encompassing both the leading

names from the industry and exciting emerging talents that the platform continuously aspires to promote through its platform. This season, PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week was staged on the 29th, 31st and the 1st of April with no shows scheduled for the 30th of March given the significance of the country’s Cricket World Cup 2011 semi-final match with India that was played the same day. In an organic expansion of the platform and indeed for the first time in Pakistan, the PFDC executive committee introduced afternoon voile shows prior to the luxury/prêt a porter evening shows and daily post-show exhibition stalls at the venue itself, allowing buyers, media and consumers to view collections shown on the ramp the previous day. Participating designers showcasing their luxury/prêt a porter collections included Adnan Pardesy, Akif, Ali Xeeshan for Crimson, Ammar Belal, Asifa & Nabeel, Beekay, Emraan Rajput, Fahad Hussayn, Fnk Asia, HSY, Karma, Khaadi Khaas, Mohsin, Nickie Nina, Republic, Rizwanullah, Sadaf Malaterre, Sahar Atif, Sarah Salman, Sublime by Sara

Shahid, Feeha Jamshed for Teejays, Yahsir Waheed, Zaheer Abbas and

Zara Shahjahan. Speaking about the PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week platform, Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the

Great ExpectationsPFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week

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As a platform, the PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week has built itself as an institution for designers, retailers and now textile houses to showcase their labels and brands, working towards refining and formalising the dynamics of corporate patronage towards fashion, streamlined retail and collection showcases and production within the industry. It also promotes Pakistan’s positive work across the international and national media.

Pakistan Fashion Design Council, Sehyr Saigol, said, “We are proud to bring to you an even bigger PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week staged at Lahore’s premiere trade venue. We are working towards the vital process of commercialising Pakistan’s fashion industry on a viable long-term basis. We believe that this platform encourages the business of fashion, from the consistent employment of a skilled workforce to opening up retail opportunities and associations with synergies between indigenous craft, textile, brand and high-end design.”Chairman Unilever Pakistan, Ehsan Malik, said, “The purpose of the Sunsilk partnership with the Pakistan Fashion Design Council is to boost the business of fashion and bring the very best of Pakistani fashion to Sunsilk consumers across the country.”

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Ingredients1 tbsp olive oil2 onions, chopped1 carrot, finely chopped2 sticks celery, finely chopped1 clove garlic, crushed1 lb+2 oz lean ground beef1 tbsp all-purpose flour8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced14 oz can chopped tomatoes1 tbsp tomato paste1¼ cups beef or vegetable stock1 cup wine vinegar or fruit vinegar2 tsp dried Italian herb seasoningSalt and freshly ground black pepper12 oz dried spaghettiFreshly grated Parmesan cheese, to serve

Method

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan, add onions, carrot, celery and garlic, and cook for five minutes, stirring occasionally.2. Add ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until beef is browned all over.3. Add flour and cook for one minute, stirring.4. Add mushrooms, tomatoes, tomato paste, stock, vinegar, herbs, salt and pepper, and stir to mix. 5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally, until meat is cooked and sauce is well reduced. 6. Cook pasta in a large saucepan of lightly salted boiling water for 10-12 minutes, or until just cooked or al dente. Drain thoroughly and divide between warmed serving plates.7. Spoon the meat sauce over the pasta, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve with hot garlic bread. Serves 4 to 6.

This is the authentic, traditional Italian recipe for Spaghetti Bolognese. In case you believe that it’s perhaps too bland to suit your palate – we Pakistanis are too fond of our spicier fare – you can use your imagination to introduce creative changes and alternatives. I’d suggest you add some red chilli to make it spicier, veges like

capsicum to add a strong tinge, and perhaps a dollop of cream to make the sauce rich.

By Fatima Zehra Naqvi

Recipes

Spaghetti Bolognese Cook’s tipTo thicken meat sauce,

uncover pan and increase heat slightly 15-20 minutes

before end of cooking time.

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1. Don’t skimp on dairyAs we get older, many of us forego milk. That’s a big mis-take, experts say. Unless you’re lactose intolerant or vegan, including dairy in your diet is still the best way to maintain your calcium intake. The good news: the fat phobia many people associate with dairy is misplaced. Nonfat and 2 per-cent milk actually contain more calcium than full-fat milk. And milk haters, don’t despair - yogurt, cheese, butter, and ice cream are all good calcium sources, too.

2. Cheat with treatsEven commercially processed frozen yogurt contains 200 to 300 milligrams per cup - less than regular yogurt (300 to 400 milligrams) but still impressive. An even more unexpected way to cheat: make a cake, pudding, fudge, or other dessert using evaporated milk; one cup contains a whopping 660 milligrams of calcium.

3. Rev up the calcium content of main dishesDon’t limit your thinking to deli standards like jack, ched-dar, and Swiss. Mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan - all of which are easy add to casse-roles, pasta, and other main dishes, are excellent sources of calcium.

4. Focus on fortificationCalcium is such a key nutrient and studies show that so many of us are deficient in it that many foods are now forti-fied to help boost calcium intake. Orange juice, breakfast cereals, soy milk, and any food labeled “calcium fortified” provide great ways to sneak calcium into your diet unno-ticed.

5. Soak up the soyCalcium-fortified soy milk actually has more calcium in it than milk. Calcium in soy milk is as easily absorbed as that in regular milk. 6. Green your dietKale, broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, and other leafy greens are great sources of calcium. The problem

is, the calcium in greens is not as easily absorbed as that in dairy if the greens contain chemicals called oxalates. Spin-ach, chard, and beet greens are higher in oxalates. It’s not a big issue unless you’re getting most of your calcium from nondairy sources. If so, try creating calcium-rich combinations, such as a spinach or lettuce salad topped with sesame seeds or beans (also good calcium sources) and cheese.

7. Make your calcium supplement a combo pillHaving adequate magnesium stores is crucial for calcium ab-sorption. In fact, experts say, high levels of calcium and low levels of magnesium can actually contribute to bone loss. Balance is the key, too: experts recommend a 2-to-1 ratio of calcium to magnesium. If you’re taking 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day, you need 500 milligrams of magnesium. Your body can only absorb about 500 milligrams of calcium at a time; it excretes the rest.

8. Accompany calcium with Vita-min DVitamin D is crucial to bone health, and it has a synergistic relationship with calcium. Experts say we lose 2 to 4 percent of our bone density during the winter due to vitamin D deficien-cy. To combat that, most experts now

recommend getting 15 minutes a day of sunlight to help your body build vitamin D naturally. 9. Cut down on caffeineToo much caffeine can weaken bones by increasing the rate of calcium excretion. Avoid this risk by limiting yourself to two cups of coffee a day.

10. Beware of high-protein dietsWith all due respect to Mr Atkins, diets high in animal protein can actually leach calcium from your bones. That’s because protein is broken down into components that are acidic, and your body uses calcium to buffer them. If you eat a lot of red meat and eggs you’re even more likely to need to boost your calcium intake.

The fat phobia many people associate with dairy is misplaced. Nonfat and 2 percent milk actually contain more calcium than full-fat milk

10 Sneaky Ways to Boost CalciumGetting enough calcium is crucial for preventing osteoporosis. Learn how to boost calcium in your diet, even if you can’t have or don’t like dairy.It is important to build strong bones when you are young. But it’s important to get plenty of calcium as you age, too, because when the level of calcium in your blood drops, more calcium is released from your bones into the blood. Here are some sneaky tricks for working calcium into your diet and routine.

F itness

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Glamstock

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